Coronavirus mothballs work by public transit ad hoc committee
The Shelby County Commission's public transit ad hoc committee's work will be reviewed, but there won't be more money in the budget for transit.
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The Shelby County Commission's public transit ad hoc committee's work will be reviewed, but there won't be more money in the budget for transit.
"There may come a time when we must reduce your city services due to city employees becoming infected with the virus,” Mayor Jim Strickland said in an email Thursday afternoon.
There are 784 confirmed coronavirus cases statewide, including three deaths and 53 hospitalizations.
The city could close parks if social distancing is not maintained.
• Shelby County Health Department confirms a death; Mississippi Department of Health reports one
• Businesses can apply for both available relief loans
• Germantown lays off all part-time city employees
• Jail visitations via video only
As COVID-19 impacts tax revenues and creates other demands for Shelby County government, funding MATA will probably have to wait.
There are things the Shelby County can and can't do to raise $10 million for public transit.
The funds for transit would be allocated through the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the ordinance.
Participants at a Shelby County public transportation ad hoc committee examined a number of ways the county can find dedicated funding for MATA.
Extended funding for transit was approved by the Shelby County Commission in an ordinance on second reading that gives it 1.5% of county's CIP budget.
A public transportation ad hoc committee will try to come up with a way to raise about $9 million in county funds for the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
Kansas City, Missouri, could soon be the first major city to offer free bus service. But Memphis isn't there yet.
MATA has modified its schedule for buses, trolleys and customer service in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Commissioner Willie Brooks, a sponsor of the wheel-tax resolution, said he's willing to find other ways to fund MATA.
A proposed $20 wheel tax increase for MATA funding wasn't voted on Monday by the Shelby County Commission, which will revisit the resolution next week in committee.
On Behind The Headlines, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said if the County Commission approves a wheel tax hike for the city's bus system, he would like to see a renewal provision requiring the commission to vote on whether to continue it every decade.
Members of the committee spent hours hearing from MATA supporters Wednesday and will vote Monday on a $20 wheel tax increase for the transit authority.
MICAH is rallying behind a Shelby County Commission resolution to raise the wheel tax by $20 to increase funding for the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
Commission committees will be asked to consider raising the wheel tax by $20 to fund MATA.
MATA now has free Wi-Fi for riders on buses, MATAplus and the trolleys.
MICAH officials on Wednesday offered the Shelby County Commission alternatives that would raise all of the $30 million needed to fully fund the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
A public comment session Monday at the Central Library drew several dozen people and plenty of reminders of the city's long-running debate about the bus system run by the Memphis Area Transit Authority. The corridor has almost all of the $74 million to build the Union and Poplar corridor that would start operations in 2024.
Planning and Development Director John Zeanah said on The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast that federal funding announced this week for the Downtown-University of Memphis corridor promises to change the image of public transit in the city.
Memphis Area Transit Authority will receive a $12 million federal grant for a rapid transit line from Downtown Memphis to the University of Memphis.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said on "Behind The Headlines" he would veto an attempt by the county to take a share of the revenue from a city sales tax hike approved by voters to restore fire and police benefits.
On The Daily Memphian Podcast, the Shelby County mayor said he's open to other ideas for a "$10 million-plus" commitment to MATA. He framed the call to action around broader changes in local issues as he outlined a start by funding more frequent trips on the eight most popular bus routes as soon as possible.