MARTA wants 1% tax extended past 2032

"MARTA to ask for sales tax extension"

Three major projects could go forward

By PAUL DONSKY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/08/06

MARTA plans to ask Fulton and DeKalb counties and the city of Atlanta to extend the penny-on-the-dollar sales tax that provides the bulk of the transit system's revenue.

Without the extension, the tax is set to drop to a half-cent in 2032 — which has severely limited MARTA's ability to finance any new projects.

Ed Wall, chairman of the MARTA board of directors, said the tax extension could free up to $1 billion in bonding capacity that could be used to build new rail and bus lines.

The board is asking the three governments to approve a new contract with MARTA that stipulates the money would be spent on three projects:

• The first phase of a bus-rapid transit line on I-20 east, between downtown Atlanta and Candler Road in south DeKalb.

• The first leg of the Beltline transit loop, a 5-mile stretch from Buckhead to Inman Park.

• A short bus-rapid transit line on I-20 in west Fulton that would serve as an extension of the west rail line, running to the bustling Fulton Industrial business district.

"I want to do those projects, but I can't do them unless I get the sales tax extension," said Wall. "We'd like to make people's commute and quality of life better."

Agreement from at least two of the three jurisdictions is required for the contract to be approved.

Only Fulton, DeKalb and Atlanta voted to join MARTA. The bus and rail system only runs in those areas, although it is used by suburbanites who drive to MARTA park-and-ride lots or take suburban buses that link to the MARTA system.

MARTA last sought an extension in 2000, but that effort was rejected by the DeKalb and Fulton county commissions. Leaders from both counties felt the state should help pay for MARTA.

Fulton and DeKalb officials have long envied other metro Atlanta counties, which have a 1 percent sales tax to pay for local roads and other projects, such as jails and courthouses.

The issue of fairness may again be raised.

"MARTA serves the entire region, the funding for MARTA should come from the region," said Burrell Ellis, a member of the DeKalb County Commission.

"It places an undue burden on the governments that do fund MARTA."

DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones said he's open to extending the sales tax because it includes specific projects that would bring new service to DeKalb.

"It sounds very compelling," he said.

"I have a lot of confidence in the MARTA board chairman and its members, and so I'm very willing to work with them to do what's best for the citizens of DeKalb County and MARTA."

AJC