Lawrence County will be increasing the wheel tax that residents pay as part of their fees for license plates in order to fund local school improvements. As it stands now, the cost of a license plate is $49, with $2 going to the clerk's office for collection fees, $22 goes to the state, and the county receives a $25 wheel tax fee. With the increase, the cost of the license plate would be $74 with the excess going directly to the wheel tax which will in turn provide much needed improvements for classroms in the county. The increase would generate up to $880,000 per year to retire a $10 million bond issue for county school improvements. Some of the portable classrooms currently being used are nearly 25 years old and in very bad condition, including reported illnesses from mold. The wheel tax will go into effect September 1 if there is no opposition from the public. Tennessee law states that residents have 30 days to develop a petition to call for a referendum.The Lawrence County Commissioner Chris Jackson emphasizes the importance of making decisions that provide quality education for area children.