NEWS

 

September 10 Town Board Meeting Includes Agenda Item to Consider Approval of a Resolution in Support of Legislation Authorizing a Referendum

A public comment period has been added to the agenda item to provide the public with an opportunity to be heard on the issue

The Town Board’s consideration of a resolution in support of legislation authorizing a referendum is on the agenda of the Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 10. The legislation being considered by the Town Board would request that the state legislature authorize a countywide referendum on a 1-cent sales tax increase to generate revenue for transportation projects, including rail projects and roadway projects.

Additionally, a public comment period has been added to the agenda item. The public comment period is an opportunity for members of the public who are interested in providing input related to the draft Resolution in Support of Legislation to have a chance to speak for up to three minutes on the topic.

Background

At the August 27 Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners meeting, the Town Manager presented detailed information related to the drafting of the joint resolution, the Red Line, a proposed countywide sales tax referendum, and potential opportunities presented by additional funding for town roadway projects. The Town Manager’s presentation from August 27 may be accessed here. After the presentation, the Town Board engaged in an extended discussion.

On September 6, the Mayors of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville issued a joint letter to the residents of the three towns detailing efforts by the Mayors, Boards, and staff of the three north Mecklenburg towns to address growth in the region and to alleviate the problems of increased traffic and congestion brought about by that growth. In the letter, the mayors stressed the need for alternative methods of transportation, alternative routes, and alternatives to the existing road networks. The letter detailed several ways the proposed legislation might be effective in reducing some of the transportation pressures created by “our ever-growing region.”

According to the letter, the Cornelius and Huntersville Boards have already voted to approve the joint resolution to request that “the state General Assembly authorize a countywide referendum that would consider levying a tax in order to generate revenue for transportation projects.”

Davidson’s September 10 Town Board Meeting

Davidson’s Board will consider a motion to approve the joint resolution at the September 10 meeting. The joint letter clarifies that “the Boards’ decisions do not authorize a tax increase; rather, it puts the decision of authorizing a 1-cent tax increase into the hands of voters.” The mayors “strongly encouraged” residents to “learn more about this initiative before it lands on the ballot in a future election.”

The published agenda for the Town of Davidson’s Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting on September 10 contains the following information related to the Board’s consideration of Resolution 2024-20:

Consider Approval of Resolution 2024-20 in Support of Legislation Authorizing Referendum (This item will include a Public Comment Period) Presenter: Jamie Justice, Town Manager
Summary: The Town of Davidson is a member of the Metropolitan Transit Commission established in 1999 and is supportive of providing diverse roadway infrastructure and public transportation options to its citizenry. The town, city, and county managers have been working for many months to draft legislation that would, if approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, allow the citizens of Mecklenburg County to decide by referendum whether they will authorize an additional sales tax for investment in roadway and public transportation systems. This item was previously discussed at the August 27 meeting. At that meeting, the Board voted to amend the Rules of Procedure to allow for a Public Comment Period on the Proposed Resolution in Support of Legislation Referendum.

Following an update from staff, members of the public interested in providing input on the draft Resolution in Support of Legislation may speak at the public comment period. Persons wishing to address the Board of Commissioners will register on a sign-up sheet stationed by the meeting room door and will be permitted to speak for no more than three (3) minutes on this topic.

At the conclusion of the public comment period, the Board of Commissioners will be asked to Consider Approval of Resolution 2024-20 in Support of Legislation Authorizing Referendum.
Action/Proposed Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution 2024-20 in Support of Legislation Authorizing Referendum.

The full agenda and supporting documents for the September 10 Board meeting can be accessed here:

News of Davidson’s coverage of the August 27 Regular Meeting of the Town Board meeting can be accessed here.