The city of Charlotte is taking a step forward in its efforts to implement a new transit plan by releasing a draft legislation to enable a one-cent sales tax referendum and establish a regional transit authority. City Manager Marcus Jones presented the document to the Charlotte City Council, which will be considering resolutions to support the measure in the upcoming weeks.

The draft legislation, prepared by city and town managers and mayors, outlines key aspects of the transportation plan, including funding mechanisms, the proposed Red Line project, and the formation of a new transit authority. Under the legislation, there would be a 60-40 split between transit and road revenue, with a minimum of 20% allocated to buses and a maximum of 40% for rail projects.

The proposed funding model also includes a provision to distribute 40% of the revenue directly to municipalities for road improvements. The distribution for towns will be based on factors such as local road miles, population, and relative transit service. Charlotte will receive the remaining road revenue after town distributions.

One of the prominent features of the transit plan is the Red Line project, which would involve the purchase of the O-Line from Norfolk Southern for the purposes of establishing a commuter rail system. The legislation specifies that the Red Line project would extend outside of Mecklenburg County only with the approval of Mooresville and Iredell County. Furthermore, the newly formed transit authority would reimburse Charlotte for the purchase of the Red Line.

To oversee the implementation of the transit plan, the draft legislation proposes the creation of a 27-member transit authority. The authority would combine the roles of the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) and the city of Charlotte, with appointments to the authority coming from various entities. Of the 27 members, 12 would represent Charlotte, including three individuals representing business interests, while the county and towns within Mecklenburg County would also have their representatives.

In order for significant changes to be made to the authority's bylaws or for the inclusion of additional counties in the transit plan, a supermajority vote would be required. The legislation also calls for a countywide referendum on a one-percent local sales tax, allowing voters in Mecklenburg County to have a say in funding future transportation infrastructure investments for both roads and transit.

The draft legislation will now be reviewed by elected officials from Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the six towns within the county. If approved, the document will be submitted to the North Carolina General Assembly for consideration. Local government, business, and community leaders hope that the resolution will be adopted, enabling the referendum to be presented to voters in 2025.

This draft legislation represents a significant step forward for Charlotte's transit plan, with hopes to address the region's growing transportation needs and provide improved mobility options for residents. The upcoming discussions, briefings, and eventual votes by the Charlotte City Council will play a crucial role in determining the future of the transit plan and its potential impact on the community.