Mecklenburg County leaders propose legislation for 1-cent sales tax increase
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Mecklenburg County announced Friday that the managers of "a majority" of municipalities have agreed on draft legislation that would place a 1-cent sales-tax referendum for transportation on voters' ballots as early as 2025.
Why it matters: The accord between local government bodies that have long been at odds over transportation proposals is a significant step toward achieving a tax increase to fund road and transit projects.
Context: For years, the City of Charlotte has talked about creating a new, countywide revenue source to pay for mobility projects, before growth and traffic becomes uncontrollable.
- Not all leaders in the county, nor state, have been eager to support the tax. Many wanted to ensure it would improve roads and benefit all jurisdictions — not just Charlotte.
Driving the news: The managers are asking their elected officials, from Charlotte to Cornelius to Pineville, to review the proposal and pass supporting resolutions to send the bill to the North Carolina General Assembly.
- State legislators must ultimately agree to put the referendum on the ballot.
Yes, but: The Town of Matthews will consider a resolution Monday to oppose the transit sales tax, according to the commissioners' agenda.
- That's largely because the proposed funding plan calls for the eastern part of the Silver Line to be built as bus rapid transit instead of light rail, as originally envisioned, town documents suggest.
- In a statement, Matthews Mayor John Higdon notes there have already been financial investments in designing the eastern portion of the light rail.
- "This is not the 'community consensus plan' requested by North Carolina General Assembly leadership," Higdon adds.
What's inside: The draft states that 60% of the revenue would go toward transit (40% for rail and 20% for bus). The rest would be distributed among the towns for roads.
- The proposal states that 50% of the Red Line, a long-planned commuter rail between Uptown and the Lake Norman towns, should be done before any other rail project is complete.
- The legislation would establish a regional transit authority with one governing board, which would combine the roles of the Metropolitan Transit Commission and the City of Charlotte. Both currently oversee the Charlotte Area Transit System.
- That board would have 27 appointments: 12 from Charlotte (three representing business interests), 12 from the county (six representing the towns), one from the governor, one from the state House and one by the state Senate.
What they're saying: "Investments in transportation infrastructure will be key to the region's long-term competitiveness, success, and quality of life for all," Andrea Smith, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance interim president and CEO, said in a statement. "The ongoing conversations among the managers about the Red Line and other transit solutions are a promising sign of momentum."
- Eugene Woods, chair of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council and CEO of Advocate Health, said: "With increasing traffic congestion and delays posing significant challenges for business commuters, residents, and travelers alike, we are encouraged by the ongoing efforts of our elected representatives and civic leaders to proactively plan for the continued growth and prosperity of our region."
This story has been updated with comments from Mayor John Higdon.