Members of Hillsville Town Council say residents of the town need not feel a little sticker shock if the cost of their decals rise $10 in 2010 — the money will be discounted from their bills elsewhere.

The move is being considered because of the difference in the vehicle assessments charged by Carroll County and Hillsville.

Vice Mayor Orba Alderman broached the subject while Council was considering the 2009-2010 budget.

“I guess it was discovered too late to discuss and put it in the regular budget sessions, but apparently Carroll County has found a way or it’s legal to assess the town’s cars for any difference in what we charge and what the county charges,” Alderman said. “For instance, the county charges $25 per vehicle for a sticker and we charge $15. The county can come into the town and assess the difference and collect it.”

Alderman said with that in mind, he thought the town should raise its sticker price for 2010-2011 to keep the county from being able to charge the $10 to Hillsville residents.

“It’s my opinion, I think the town should raise the sticker fees to $25 to keep the county from coming in and getting sticker money from the town citizens,” Alderman said. “We will find some way to counterbalance or deduct $10 somewhere else to even it out in a net figure.”

After a confirmation from Town Attorney Gregory G. Goad, Alderman made a motion for a public hearing to discuss the increase in the sticker tax from $15 to $25. Greg Yonce seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.

Hillsville Mayor Bill Tate said he hoped citizens understood the reasoning behind such a move.

“I hope the citizens understand they’re not going to be taxed twice,” Tate said. “Some have come to me and said they’re going to be taxed $25 by the town and another $10 by the county, which we’re not. We’re caught between a rock and a hard spot. We’re going to have to pay that $10 regardless whether it goes to the town or it goes to the county. If we go up on the sticker to $25, the town will get that money. I hope the citizens understand what we’re doing. I think they will.”