Council approves sales tax bill and $92 million purchase of Red Line project

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Transit upgrades are coming to Charlotte. The City Council voted Tuesday night to approve a referendum on a one-cent sales tax and finalize a $92 million purchase to complete the Red Line.

Dozens of people showed up for Tuesday’s City Council meeting, nearly all of whom wanted the council to vote “yes” on a one-cent sales tax and the purchase of 22 miles of rail lines and 1.6 acres of land from Norfolk Southern for $96 million. Both items were approved by council members on two 10-1 votes in favor of the measures.

The only council member to vote “no” on each of these issues was District 6 Representative Tariq Bokhari. All council members acknowledged that it was a difficult decision, but Bokhari was the only one who did not agree to proceed.

Bokhari said before the vote that he saw the idea of ​​higher taxes as a negative and was concerned the plan had not been fully thought through.

“There is a lack of clearly defined paths in the future plan and actual planning at this point,” Bokhari said.

Many others supported the idea of ​​having a sales tax referendum by November 2025, as well as reaching an agreement with Norfolk Southern to complete the Red Line project, which would connect Uptown to Lake Norman.

More than 20 Charlotte residents showed up to speak in support of each agenda item. Three Cats bus drivers also expressed their support.

Donald Bowman believes the money from a potential sales tax could make the jobs of Cats drivers safer.

“…It would also enable much-needed safety improvements for the operator,” Bowman said, speaking of the benefits a one-cent sales tax could bring to city transit. Another Cats operator noted that the Cats fleet is aging every day, and money will be needed to maintain each bus and train.

Both the sales tax and the $92 million Norfolk Southern deal were approved, both by 10-1 votes from the City Council. State lawmakers will now have to allow a sales tax referendum to be added to the ballot so voters can decide. The deal with Norfolk Southern could go ahead, but it must be finalized by Sept. 9.

Immediately after the council vote, Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement to X. In the statement, she calls the decision a monumental step after 26 years of trying to secure the Red Line. She writes that it is more than a transportation milestone, it will help create opportunity and economic growth while giving everyone access to public transportation.