By MIKE SAEWITZ
The Virginian-Pilot
CHESAPEAKE - Mayor Dalton Edge has "serious misgivings" about joining a regional transportation authority that could impose higher taxes to pay for local road improvements.
But another City Council member wants the people to have a say in that decision.
On Tuesday night, Councilman Alan Krasnoff will ask the board to authorize an advisory referendum to gauge resident s' interest in the authority.
"It seems reasonable and prudent that the people of Chesapeake have the opportunity to express themselves on this," Krasnoff said.
Krasnoff's call for the referendum comes on the heels of a similar suggestion by the mayor of Hampton. In Hampton Roads, the authority could collect as much as $210 million each year from increased fees and taxes on motor vehicles repairs, inspections and licenses.
Before the authority goes to work, at least seven of 12 communities in the region must vote to join it. The same majority vote must happen before any new tax and fee increases.
Even if Chesapeake's advisory referendum is approved Tuesday, the council will have the ultimate say on whether to join. Some council members wonder whether the resident s' vote w ould have an impact on an authority that has already been endorsed by state lawmakers.
"Citizens ought to have an input, but they're not going to be able to change the law," Councilwoman Ella Ward said.
Edge, Krasnoff and Ward all share concerns that joining the regional authority could mean higher real estate taxes for businesses - without guarantees that the cash will be used for Chesapeake's roads. In the transportation authority, Krasnoff said, he sees "shades of SPSA," referring to the Southeastern Public Service Authority, a regional waste authority that has racked up $300 million in debts and liabilities.
"This could be a SPSA with taxing authority," Edge said.
Rather than asking voters whether the city should join the authority, City Attorney Ronald S. Hallman recommends asking whether the council should adopt a 10-cent increase in the real estate tax on commercial and industrial businesses to pay for road improvements.
Krasnoff said the referendum should be in November so it costs no additional money.
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Raods don't come free...and we all must share the costs
This story is typical of everyone in this area who want road improvements, but don't want to pay for them. The regional transportation authority will not become another SPSA...as the reason for it's gross mismanagement is each city didn't pay the same fees...which led to a fiscal problem. The transport authority will have local reps from each city and will work on regional transit issues...that will affect the region. Chesapeake needs to stop worrying about what's in it for them. Projects that will be done are the expansion of I-64 thru chesapeake to Bowers Hill and a replacement High Rise bridge and 64/464/168 interchange are among the projects. Every city that becomes part of this authority will need to have the same rate...so that everyone pays the same price and we prevent a SPSA repeat!
November is Coming Soon
I read all the stories on this regional Taxing Authority and I have but one comment to make, I hope everyone in Hampton Roads remembers the railroading we received by the General Assembly and votes accordingly in November to send them our response to their so called Transportation Plan.
Oh Why Bother?
The citizens already voted on this scheme. They said no! You politicians didn't listen in 2002, so why start now? But one thing to think about while you are salivating over all these new taxes. There are over 25 homes for sale in my neighborhood of 200. They have been for sale over a year. Each one of those homes is bringing in $2000 in taxes a quarter. Sooner or later the owners are going to cut their losses. Along with a whole bunch of others that can't afford to live here anymore. Do you know what 'fiscal stress' of cities means? You should. There have been countless reports stating that the citizens of this area can't afford to pay any more taxes. The income levels just aren't there. This area is one step away from being just like a Rust Belt City. When the better educated exercise their options and leave, the transition will be complete. Roads will be the least of your worries.
Mayor Edge is right!!!
Finally, Mayor Edge and I agree on something... As the recent transportation compromise from the legislature is implemented, one aspect that causes concern; is the "Regional Transportation Authority" will be a large part of the plan for Hampton Roads. The plan will create an authority to levee taxes, fees and tolls to fund regional transportation projects. To even the most casual observer this process was crafted to "end-around" the rejection by popular referendum of the last transportation initative. There were too many problems with the proposal brought forward during the referendum process and this is even worse. What has changed with the latest initiative that we are now saddled with, is an appointed board who will decide our fate without our say. The "Transportation Authority" will function much like SPSA has and most likely will suffer similar mis-management and spending problems. With the highest cost of collection ever heard of, we will get much less for greater costs...