Yes Vote on Transportation Funding Carries the Day!

From REBIC

The clear winners last Tuesday were the current (and future) residents of Mecklenburg County when they voted 52% to 48% to approve a one-cent sales tax increase that will fund future transportation and infrastructure projects. The measure also includes a provision that creates a Transit Authority to manage and direct those funds. While the vote was a bit closer than expected, it established a mandate that Mecklenburg County residents want elected officials to focus on meaningful infrastructure improvements as an essential government function.

The Transit Authority Board of Trustees will consist of 27 members appointed by Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg towns (Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Pineville, Mint Hill, and Matthews), the Governor, and the General Assembly. Charlotte will appoint 12 members and Mecklenburg County will appoint 6. Each town, as well as the Governor, also receive one appointment as does the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tem, and the Speaker of the House.

To date, the City of Charlotte has published a list of its 27 finalists for 12 positions:

• Architecture: Sagar Rathie, James Scruggs, and Keith Williams.
• Economic Development: Todd Collins, Joel Ford, and Scott Harris.
• Engineering: Martina Ackridge, Robert Hillman, and Tim Sittema.
• Finance: Emma Allen, William Cameron Pruette, and Gary Young.
• Government: Julie Eiselt, Colette Forrest, and Marjorie Molina.
• Law: Frank Emory, Jay Ferguson, and Gerald Patton.
• Logistics: Juan Euvin, Stephanie Hand, and Jocelyn Jones Nolley.
• Public Transportation: Shannon Binns, David Howard, and Corine Mack.
• Urban Planning: Lee Cochran, Towan Dicks, and Katrina Young

Interviews will be held on November 12 from 12:00 to 3:00 and again from 4:00 to 6:00. Additional interviews will be conducted from 5:00 to 9:00 pm on November 13 and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on November 14. The final time slot will be from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 15.

Mecklenburg County and the towns have not yet published finalists for their selections, but we anticipate the county embarking on the interview process sometime next week.

Rob’s Take: The passage of this important transportation referendum was the result of the efforts of many organizations and individuals who understood that we can’t maintain a great quality of life and go after the economic development opportunities we seek, without addressing our inadequate infrastructure. We have a pretty good thing going here in our region. If we want to keep that vitality, it’s essential we plan and implement multiple ways for people to easily get from where they are to where they need to be.

I don’t think there are many that get excited about a tax increase, but a majority of residents voted affirmatively to make this investment in the community. Fortunately, we are well positioned to track how these dollars are spent and this will be a major priority for REBIC, and our members, moving forward.

I’d also like to acknowledge an individual who played a significant role in making this happen. Larry Shaheen, REBIC Counsel with McIntosh Law, worked tirelessly to inform and educate leaders throughout the state, and across party lines, by vigorously promoting an idea whose time had come. His direct efforts ensured a huge victory. Thanks, Larry. This is a big deal.