Support Us Button Widget

Mecklenburg County moves forward with 1-cent sales tax increase

The proposal aims to support the development of transportation projects in the Charlotte area and could make it to the ballot by 2025.

A redline train on the tracks

This could be how you commute through Mecklenburg County.

Photos via City of Charlotte

Mecklenburg County voted 6-3 on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at its Board of County Commissioners meeting to move forward with a proposed 1-cent sales tax referendum. This effort aims to support future transit projects in the area — the board estimated this tax could bring in $345 million in one year. Particularly, it could support Charlotte Area Transit System’s Red Line commuter rail project.

Before you vote

The county’s approval marks the second time the drafted bill passed a vote — Charlotte City Council approved it earlier this month. However, the end goal is clear: let Mecklenburg County voters decide on the sales tax referendum.

Before it gets on the ballot, the bill will need to receive approval from North Carolina’s legislature. If it’s passed by the state, the proposal could be voted on as soon as 2025.

Redline Map | CLTtoday

The proposed Red Line route.

Photo via WCNC

Tax increase benefits

Under the current draft, only 40% of tax revenue will support the new rail transit project, but the effort has recently been moving forward. The City of Charlotte purchased the 22-mile Red Line tracks from Norfolk Southern in a $74 million deal that was finalized earlier this month. The transit system aims to connect Uptown Charlotte to areas like Cornelius and Davidson — potentially even Mt. Mourne in Moorseville.

This month’s deal also included the purchase of a 1.6-acre plot of land near the site of the forthcoming Charlotte Gateway Station. This proposed transit hub is a critical piece of the Charlotte Area’s 2030 transit plan, an effort to improve mobility as the local population grows to an anticipated 2.5 million by the end of this decade.

The remaining 60% of funding will be put toward maintaining and developing roads and buses. The draft also proposes Mecklenburg County creates a transit authority to oversee its transportation systems.

More from CLTtoday
Everything you need to know about voter registration, polling locations, early voting + absentee voting in York County.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame will host an induction ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 17.
VisArt Video boasts the largest film and video collection on the east coast.
Speedway Motorsports and Rick Hendrick announced the first-of-its-kind, 100-acre complex, Ten Tenths Motor Club.
The Queen City is packed with fun options to spend a day for anyone in their golden years.
Make the most of the cooler weather with this list of the best local events, pumpkin patches, and activities happening this fall.
Whether you’re voting absentee or in-person in this year’s election, keep this information handy before you head to the polls.
By turning off non-essential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. you can ensure local birds travel safely.
Confluence brings music professionals and performers together during a three-day conference in the Queen City.
Local business across the Queen City are collecting donations and supplies to take to western North Carolina in wake of Hurricane Helene.