Jerry Robertson fills a car’s tank at a Circle K convenience store in Pendleton. Residents of Lexington decided May 21. 2024, they did not want the town's proposal for a 1-3 cent per gallon tax on motor vehicle fuel. 

LEXINGTON — Voters in Lexington on May 21 passed on paying a local tax on motor vehicle fuel.

The measure failed 74-42 votes, or 56.8% to 43.2%.

The tax would vary between 1-3 cents per gallon, depending on the time of year, and would have been used to maintain streets.

“The maintenance of local streets is currently paid with Lexington’s share of state gas tax funds, which are declining and are no longer enough to support needed maintenance of streets,” according to the city’s proposal.

The state tax in Oregon on motor vehicle fuel is $.40 per gallon.