Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his team filed an ordinance with the Metro Council on Friday. The ordinance seeks to include the transportation improvement program, “Choose How You Move,” on the November 5 ballot. Approval by the Metro Council would lead to a vote by the Davidson County Election Commission on whether to call a countywide referendum election.
“Choose How You Move, An All-Access Pass to Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety” aims to provide dedicated funding for Nashville’s transportation system through a half-cent sales tax surcharge. A recent Vanderbilt poll indicates that 84 percent of Nashvillians support placing a transit referendum on the ballot.
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“Nashvillians told us in the Imagine Nashville survey that their top vision was for a more connected city, and today we take another step toward that goal,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell stated. “I appreciate the council’s consideration of this program and look forward to voters choosing the transportation future they’d like to see.”
The Choose How You Move program is based on over 66,000 ideas submitted by Nashvillians over more than a decade, informing 70 plans and studies. Key components of the plan include:
– 86 miles of new and improved sidewalks
– Nearly 600 smart signalized intersections to improve traffic flow
– 24/7/365 bus service with increased frequency, including new crosstown and express routes
– Funding for safer, complete streets and 12 community transit centers
– Enhanced security for WeGo, ensuring security grows with the system
The ordinance filed with Metro Council includes proposed language for the November ballot that explains the program. Mayor O’Connell added, “We have prepared ballot language for council’s review, and I believe this language clearly and concisely describes the potential of the Choose How You Move program to alter our transportation future.”
Vice Mayor Angie Henderson commented, “The Metro Code calls for a review of the program by Metro Council. I appreciate Mayor O’Connell’s collaborative approach and leadership as we push toward a transportation system that works for all Nashvillians.”
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councilmember Sean Parker, expressed his support, “I’m proud to be the lead sponsor on legislation to bring this plan before Metro Council and ultimately to Nashville voters. We anticipate a thorough review of the transportation improvement program by all councilmembers.”
Metro Council is tasked with approving the program and surcharge, thereby requesting that the Davidson County Election Commission place the referendum on the ballot. The first reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the Metro Council meeting on June 18.
Source: Read Original Release