"Total sellout:" Matthews mayor slams "flip-flopping commissioners" over transit plan stances

• Although Matthews makes up only about 31,000 potential voters, its loud opposition to the transit plan has been heard and considered across the county.

Driving the news: Commissioner Mark Tofano questioned the work EQV Strategic was doing in Raleigh, citing a lack of communication with the lobbying firm. The town pays EQV $5,000 a month to advocate for its position on the transit bill in the legislature.

• Other commissioners defended lobbyist Andy Munn, noting that he's referred to as "Mr. Matthews" in Raleigh — evidence he's making the rounds.

Reality check: Tofano is one of three commissioners who no longer oppose the transit legislation. Instead, he, Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover and Commissioner Leon Threatt are taking a neutral stance on the sales tax referendum and would prefer letting voters decide.

Catch up quick: Over the summer, the town unanimously passed a resolution opposing Mecklenburg County's plan to raise the sales tax by 1 cent for transportation projects.

• The tax would likely not generate enough revenue to extend the Silver Line light rail to Matthews.

Between the lines: In past interviews, commissioners claimed they believed Matthews should expect no benefit from the tax. While rail is unlikely, Matthews would still receive millions annually for road projects, including sidewalks and bike lanes, and possibly a bus rapid transit system.

• Tofano, who commutes via bus from Matthews to Charlotte, supports bus rapid transit and micro transit. "It is not wise to discard the good in a helpless and hopeless pursuit of the perfect," he said.

The other side: Mayor John Higdon argues the plan is inequitable, as other towns would get rail while Matthews would get "far inferior bus rapid transit."

• "I don't want to mince words here," Higdon said. "Having three of our commissioners side with Charlotte and the county and against our best interest is a complete and total sellout of Matthews taxpayers."

• Higdon called out the commissioners for claiming they did not know what the tax would get Matthews. In the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly on Tuesday morning, he called the board members "flip-flopping commissioners."
• "Did these commissioners even read the bill?" he asked during Monday's meeting.

What's next: The town manager attempted to assure commissioners the lobbyist was working. She said she's communicated with Munn, but typically, it's over the phone and not via email to avoid creating public records and leaking information that could reveal their strategy.

• "I think this matter is closed," Tofano said, "but with a caveat that our town attorney attempts to find some way for us to be updated."

Go deeper: Charlotte's 4 rail lines, what's built and what's coming

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• State leaders signal encouraging, but cautionary, prospects for Mecklenburg's transportation bill
• Why CATS is moving forward with the $845M Gold Line streetcar extension
• The transit tax would transform the experience of riding a Charlotte bus
• Everything to know about the Red Line