Title
Request for Approval of an Opt-Out provision for House Bill 5229
Body
Whereas, the Regional Transit Authority (“RTA”) was established in 2012 to manage and secure transportation resources, significantly enhance mobility options, improve quality of life for residents, and increase economic viability for the City of Detroit, Wayne County, Macomb County, Oakland County, and Washtenaw County; and
Whereas, House Bill 5229 would amend the Municipal Partnership Act (the “Act”). HB 5229, if passed, will allow Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties to create a three-county regional transit plan by a majority vote of the electors within each jurisdiction, not count millages levied by municipal partnerships toward constitutional and statutory tax limitations, and restrict municipal partnership tax revenue funds to be used only for the transportation purposes or other purpose approved by voters; and
Whereas, in 2016, a regional 20-year, 1.2 mill property tax increase ballot proposal was defeated in Macomb and Oakland, while Wayne and Washtenaw voters approved it; and
Whereas, HB 5229 would exempt Macomb County due to its voters’ strong opposition to the 2016 ballot proposal; and
Whereas, the RTA’s vision is to create a region with sufficient and secure funding to support enhanced public transportation options that will ensure accessibility; satisfy the integrated mobility needs of the community; and promote livable, healthy, and sustainable growth. Passage of HB 5229 by the legislature is likely to undermine the RTA’s vision; and
Whereas, the RTA’s primary role will be to link communities where gaps in service exist with the AARTA, DDOT, and SMART bus systems; and
Whereas, as stated by the late Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and confirmed by the Crain’s Detroit Business article dated November 19, 2010 and the current RTA website program map, the RTA plan is unlikely to provide any discernable benefit for the City of Rochester Hills or its reside...
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