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Waxhaw board weighs whether to reaffirm support for I‑77 South public‑private funding
Summary
Facing a September CARPO vote, Waxhaw officials discussed whether to reaffirm support for the I‑77 South public‑private (P3) funding method after Charlotte rescinded its backing; staff warned that rescission could jeopardize roughly $600 million in state funding for a $3.3–4.3 billion project.
Mayor (speaker 1) told the board that Charlotte’s City Council recently moved to rescind support for the I‑77 South funding method, a development that could put at least $600,000,000 in state funds for the project at risk. He described the CARPO vote in 2024 as a decision about the funding mechanism, not project execution, and said that a new vote is expected in September where Waxhaw’s CARPO representative would need clear board direction.
“There's 600,000,000 of funding from the state at play,” the mayor said, arguing that if municipalities withdraw support the money could return to the state coffers and may not come back to the region. Commissioners noted that Carolinas DOT has already spent millions on engineering and design and that rescinding support late in the process raises legal and practical questions.
Board members expressed concern about the political pressure that prompted Charlotte’s change and asked staff whether rescission could trigger penalties. A commissioner noted that legislators have drafted a budget amendment aimed at imposing penalties on jurisdictions that rescind, and staff said the matter currently rests with the General Assembly. Another commissioner urged caution, saying Waxhaw should be able to speak with a formal resolution when the CARPO vote occurs.
Staff recommended bringing a resolution forward at the board’s next meeting so the mayor or town representative can formally record the board’s position before the CARPO meeting. No formal vote on Waxhaw’s position occurred at Tuesday’s meeting; the board directed staff to return the item on a future agenda after members had time to review the CARPO materials.
