I know the State Legislature and Republican leadership hates Madison, but this isn’t just about Madison.
City of Fitchburg
Sponsored by: Mayor
Drafted by: Ald. Steve ArnoldTITLE: A Resolution Supporting the Dane County Regional Transit Authority
Background: The Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance has proposed to end authority for the existence of regional transit authorities and the operations of existing RTAs as part of the 2011-2013 budget. Fitchburg’s future development, economic vitality, and sustainability depend, in part, on public transit as a transportation option. As a small city on the edge of Dane County’s center urban service area, Fitchburg’s transit needs are primarily regional, and transit generates regional benefits and deserves a regional funding source. Beyond its funding role, the Dane County RTA also has a critical role in planning and coordinating regional transit. This resolution attempts to lay out, for the legislature and the governor, just how important and central the RTA is to our planning and future prosperity. It continues our support for sales taxes only after a
successful referendum in the RTA district, and supports the governor’s proposal to require a binding referendum.RESOLUTION R-48-11
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DANE COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
WHEREAS, the City of Fitchburg established a Transportation and Transit Commission in 2004; and
WHEREAS, the Fitchburg Comprehensive Plan, adopted March 4, 2009, includes Transportation Goal 3: “Develop and maintain a multi-modal transportation system that reduces automobile dependency and increases transportation choices”; Objective 4: “Promote an efficient and reliable transit system that offers convenient alternatives to private vehicle travel”, and Policy 6: “Support the development of a regional transit authority to plan and implement opportunities for regional transit service”; and
WHEREAS, the 2010-2014 City of Fitchburg Transit Plan, adopted May 25, 2010 by Resolution R-36-10, recommends and prioritizes transit improvements in the City, many of which benefit the greater Madison region as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted neighborhood plans for transit-oriented development in the Nine Springs Green Tech Neighborhood (adopted with the Comprehensive Plan), McGaw Neighborhood (adopted June 9, 2009), and Southdale Neighborhood (adopted September 22, 2009), and a transit-ready traditional Northeast Neighborhood (adopted April 27, 2010); and
WHEREAS, the City of Fitchburg Common Council continues to recognize public transit as an essential component of a liveable, economically viable city by approving service improvements, funding new bus stop facilities, and annually contracting with Madison Metro Transit to provide bus transit services in various locations throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, public transit is a major component of Fitchburg’s plans to meet its goals and obligations under the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (adopted July 8, 2008 by Resolution R-55-08), the State of Wisconsin’s Energy Independence Goals for 2025 (25×25) (adopted August 11, 2009 by Resolution R-50-09), and the Green Tier Charter for Legacy Communities (adopted September 28, 2010 by Resolution R-82-10); and
WHEREAS, transportation is a regional service, with many Fitchburg residents leaving Fitchburg, and many visitors entering Fitchburg, every day for employment and personal reasons; and
WHEREAS, municipal boundaries complicate the coordination of regional transit systems and prevent appropriate cost sharing and internalization of benefits by taxing jurisdictions in the region; and
WHEREAS, the Dane County RTA was established by a vote of the Dane County Board on November 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Dane County RTA has the authority to raise revenue to fund components of a transit system throughout its district; and
WHEREAS, Dane County RTA participation in funding a regional transit system will strengthen and diversify the revenue base for transit in Dane County without increasing property taxes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fitchburg Common Council previously adopted on July 24, 2007 Resolution R-70-07, “A Resolution Supporting Further Examination of the Creation of Dane County Regional Transit Authority” and on October 27, 2009 adopted R-86-09, “A Resolution in Support of the Dane County Regional Transit Authority” to express its on-going support for the Dane County Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the City of Fitchburg Common Council hereby urges the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance, the leaders of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly, and Governor Scott Walker to continue the statutory authority for the existence of the Dane County RTA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fitchburg Common Council hereby expresses its support for the pledge of Dane County RTA Board to apply any sales tax to its district only after a successful referendum in its district approves such sales tax.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Fitchburg Common Council hereby expresses its support for the provision in the Governor’s 2011-2013 budget proposal to require approval, in a binding referendum in its district, of Dane County RTA sales tax changes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it authorizes the City Clerk to provide copies of this adopted resolution to Fitchburg’s legislative delegation, the members of the Joint Committee on Finance, the leaders of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly, and Governor Scott Walker.
