Letter to the Editor: Unregistered vehicles shortchange community services, pose safety risk

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Dear editor,

As leaders of this great city, we are committed to fostering a strong, safe and law-abiding community. Recently, the Springfield City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging all citizens to properly register their vehicles and renew their license plates on time. This effort is a vital part of our ongoing Be a Good Citizen initiative, aimed at improving various aspects of civic responsibility in our community.

The number of unregistered vehicles in Greene County has reached an alarming level. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, nearly 47% of vehicles in the Greene County are not properly registered. Additionally, almost 9,000 personal property tax accounts are at least two years delinquent, representing over $3.8 million in uncollected taxes – a significant shortfall that affects essential public services.

Property taxes fund vital community services, including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, libraries and road maintenance. When individuals fail to register their vehicles and pay their taxes, it creates an unfair burden on law-abiding citizens who fulfill their obligations.

Greene County Collector of Revenue Allen Icet has emphasized the challenges his office faces in collecting delinquent personal property taxes. While there are statutory methods to enforce real estate tax collection, options for addressing delinquent personal property taxes – including those tied to vehicle ownership – are severely limited. The City Council’s resolution aims to address this issue by encouraging residents to fulfill their legal tax obligations.

The full amount of personal property taxes is due by Dec. 31 each year. If not paid on time, penalties and interest begin to accrue starting Jan. 1 of the following year. While Greene County, does not offer a payment plan for personal property taxes, taxpayers can make partial payments on current year taxes beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.

If you need assistance or have questions about payment options, you can contact Icet and his staff at 417-868-4036, or 940 N. Boonville Ave, Room 107 Springfield, MO 65802 for more information.

Beyond financial fairness, unregistered vehicles often indicate a lack of insurance coverage, posing significant risks to public safety. For example, when citizens report criminal conduct or police use security camera footage of vehicles involved in crimes that do not have license plates, it makes law enforcement’s job much more difficult.

To help enforce compliance, the City Council passed an ordinance that would authorize law enforcement to impound vehicles that cannot be legally operated due to missing, invalid or expired license plates or registration tabs. These decisions would be left to officer discretion, and our primary goal remains voluntary compliance through public education before any enforcement action is taken.

For reference, the cost to register a vehicle in Missouri typically ranges from $18.25 to $51.75, depending on the vehicle type and weight, with additional fees for title and processing. Compared to the long-term consequences of noncompliance – potential fines, towing or increased insurance costs – registering a vehicle on time is a small but critical responsibility.

Springfield is strongest when we work together to uphold laws that protect and benefit everyone. We encourage all residents to do their part by registering their vehicles, paying associated taxes, and ensuring their license plates are up to date. This is not just about compliance; it’s about fairness, safety and supporting the community we all call home.

—Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, Councilman Craig Hosmer and Greene County Collector Allen Icet