BEDFORD -- Bedford County Treasurer Becky Jones said most citizens dislike scraping vehicle decals from windshields.

The board of supervisors relieved the county's citizens from the task, voting 5-0 Wednesday evening to eliminate vehicle decals and make other tax changes to offset any loss of revenue. Chairman Steve Arrington and Montvale District Supervisor Annie Pollard were absent.

Although Huddleston District Supervisor Roger Cheek said he was against the changes, he ultimately voted in favor of the resolution.

"I have had more people oppose this than really approve it," he said.

The board also adjusted the personal property tax rate to protect the $2 million decal fees bring in annually. The new rate is $2.35 per $100 assessed and is based on the National Automobile Dealers Association's trade value.

Previously the tax rate was $8.50 per $100 assessed and was based on 20 percent of the vehicle's NADA retail value.

On paper that tax rate had looked higher than other localities, said Faye Eubank, the county's commissioner of the revenue. "It is hard to get in the explanation that ours is based on 20 percent."

Earlier this year the board had advised Eubank to shift the personal property tax methodology to full trade value.

"The county should not see a loss of revenue by including the amount in the tax," Jones said.

About 60 localities in the state already eliminated decals. While the sticker used to be the primary way to identify delinquent personal property taxpayers, technology has replaced the decal's significance in tracking nonpayment.

Jones said the elimination will save the county $60,000 annually, but at least one citizen and two supervisors were concerned there may be a more costly impact on the solid waste drop-off centers.

Attendants at the county's solid waste stations currently use the decal to identify county citizens and to keep noncounty residents from dumping illegally.

"If we don't have some type of identification it is going to cost us a lot more than $60,000 a year," Cheek said.

Paul Kelbaugh of Forest said he opposed the changes if eliminating the vehicle decal meant another sticker would be required for identification at solid waste drop off-stations.

To him that made no sense.

"You have just replaced one decal with another," Kelbaugh said. "Are we going to turn around and sell people another decal?"

County Administrator Kathleen Guzi said there are no plans to charge citizens for another type of decal. County staff will continue to explore how to solve the solid waste component of the decal elimination.

Only a handful of citizens showed up Wednesday evening to speak about the changes to the personal property tax.

Kelbaugh said he checked and the personal property taxes on his three vehicles will increase by $38.

"I think this is a good thing," he said. "The calculations work. I am a believer that this is revenue neutral."

Eubank said some taxpayers will see increases while others see decreases. Countywide, she said, the tax revenue should stay level.

Personal property bills reflecting the new rate will be mailed out next week, Guzi said.