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Charlotte councilmembers push outreach on proposed 1¢ sales tax to fund $20 billion mobility plan
Summary
Council members described a state-level legislative window that could allow a local referendum this year on a 1¢ sales tax to fund a roughly $20 billion multimodal mobility program, and committees reviewed related transportation budgets and safety work.
Council members said the city is preparing to ask voters whether to support a proposed 1¢ local sales tax that would fund a roughly $20 billion mobility investment including rail, bus and road projects.
At a council meeting update, Council Member Ed Driggs said staff expect a refreshed mobility plan (referred to in committee as the 02/1930 plan) to be released in May and that state legislation being considered in Raleigh could allow the city to hold a referendum in November if the county board of commissioners approves it. "At the end of the day, it will be a public decision whether the tax is implemented," Driggs said.
Why it matters: Council members framed the tax as the largest practical response the city has to long-term traffic and mobility needs. They urged repeated public outreach so residents can evaluate the plan and proposed tax before any ballot measure.
Committee updates and budgets: Committee reports linked the referendum discussion to other transportation items considered this week. Council members received an aviation budget briefing noting a roughly $30 million increase in operating expenses tied to airport growth; staff said the airport is funded as an enterprise and expects corresponding revenue increases. The CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) update credited interim CEO Brent Cagle with improved operational stability, including work to reduce "ghost" bus runs; Cagle told the committee there will be no fare increases for now, though a fare study is underway.
Council members asked staff for more benchmarking and passenger-safety details in the aviation briefing and pressed for continued public communication on the referendum and plan. Council Member Marjorie Molina said the mobility proposal should be "talked about at every opportunity," and asked staff and council members to emphasize outreach.
What wasn’t decided: No formal council vote on the referendum or tax occurred at the meeting. City staff and council committees will return with additional plan details, budgets, and public-engagement materials before any ballot action.
Looking ahead: Council members said they expect additional public updates this spring and summer as the mobility plan draft and related state legislation evolve. The ultimate decision about the sales tax would rest with voters if the county and the state enable a referendum.
