The Dane County Board of Supervisors voted early Friday morning to approve the Regional Transit Authority.
The RTA will be an entity overseeing transit options for Dane County and would be comprised of nine appointed members.
The decision came after lengthy public input and supervisor debate, with a strong showing of people both in support and in opposition to the creation of the RTA.
Members of the public speaking against the RTA focused on the arguments the board would be an unelected, unaccountable and would be making important decisions — such as levying a possible half a percent sales tax — without the consent of the general public.
Another common concern was the tax increase would be burdened on all residents of Dane County, yet the transportation projects would not benefit all residents.
“An RTA at this time … is extremely bad public policy,” Dane County resident Don Severson said. “As soon as an RTA is created, the board and citizens lose all control of taxes.”
Jay Allen, mayor of the city of Fitchburg, said it was “absurd” to call the appointed members unaccountable, as they would be appointed by elected officials who are held accountable by the public. The elected officials would hold their appointees accountable on the RTA.
Many members of the public called for a referendum on the RTA before the board is created.
Dane County Board of Supervisors Chair Scott McDonell said it was the original intent to have a referendum on the project, but the idea was for the RTA to be created soon in order to recommend a plan for voters on the November ballot. He added he has “deep commitment” to a referendum on the plans made by the RTA.
According to a letter from Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz — along with the mayors of Fitchburg and Middleton — a referendum would take place before the sales tax is levied and “abide by its results.” However, the RTA is the sole body having any authority to impose a referendum with the RTA boundary, according to the letter.
Supervisor Eileen Bruskewitz, District 25, tried to pass a resolution calling for a referendum on creating the RTA, but the motion failed.
She said she was concerned with the promised referendum, as she does not see any guarantee it will happen. She also raised the concern the RTA would only have a possible sales tax to use as funding, and this body would be in overseeing possible $100 million in projects — with no resources.
Many members touted the RTA as important for the growth of Dane County and as a way to expand transit options in the area.
“Transit becomes so important because the isthmus — our economic lifeblood — the traffic (problem) is not linear,” McDonell said. “It will get worse exponentially.”
Some University of Wisconsin students spoke in favor of the RTA, saying transit options are essential for enticing students to settle in Madison and Dane County.
Adam Johnson, chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Associated Students of Madison, said ASM “wholeheartedly” supports the creation of the RTA, adding it is a smart plan to plan for the future of the community.
“We are looking for place to go after we graduate,” Johnson said. “We have a invested interest in this community. There is no reason our opinion should be discounted because we are transient.”
