Prince George supervisors back resolution to study South Central Transportation Authority; Ellington says measure would tap fuel share and proposed 0.7¢ sales税

The Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 28 to approve a letter and resolution supporting formation of a South Central Transportation Authority for the central corridor, a regional governance body that would plan, prioritize and fund transportation projects, Crater Planning District Commission staff said.

Jay Ellington, executive director with the Crater Planning District Commission, told the board the model mirrors other Virginia regional transportation authorities (Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Richmond-area examples) and would provide predictable regional funding to move ready projects forward. Ellington described two principal revenue sources in the proposal: "a regional share of the fuel and diesel tax" and a proposed additional regional sales tax he called "0.7¢," which he said would raise the sales-tax rate "from 5.3 to 6¢" in the region. Ellington said jurisdictions would appoint representatives, that the authority would select a fiscal agent, and that project approvals would require a two-thirds vote of the authority.

Board members asked about the types of projects the authority could fund and whether the money could be used for existing improvements or only new projects; Ellington said both safety and new development projects are possible and that the authority would leverage federal and state programs as well. Several supervisors asked about the process and timeline; Ellington said the legislative process could take multiple sessions and that jurisdictions would later decide whether to join the authority if legislation passes.

The board approved the letter and resolution supporting the legislative effort by roll call (motion by Supervisor Webb, second by Supervisor Wymack); the transcript records two supervisors voting "no" on the resolution during the roll call. The resolution does not by itself change tax policy; it signals local support for drafting and pursuing enabling legislation at the General Assembly.

Why this matters: A transportation authority could change how the region funds and prioritizes multi-jurisdiction transportation projects, enable dedicated regional revenue for congestion and safety projects, and affect future tax collections if the proposed local revenue mechanisms are adopted.

What the record shows: The board voted to support the creation of the authority; the transcript attributes the proposed revenue plan and vote to the Crater Planning District Commission presentation and the board’s roll-call vote. Any actual tax or assessment change would require separate legal authorization and further local decisions if the enabling legislation passes.