Title
To support the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s 2016 tax levy
Body
WHEREAS, ten years ago, voters supported the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s (COTA) request for a 1⁄4 % sales tax to meet the transportation needs of residents by expanding its services; and
WHEREAS, COTA has expanded service by 80% to provide Central Ohioans with greater access to education, jobs, and medical services; and
WHEREAS, COTA increased ridership to over 19 million passengers in both 2014 and 2015, providing 68 local, express, or crosstown lines; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to improve existing services, COTA is applying new technology, such as real-time tracking, to increase convenience and reliability so riders know when their bus will arrive; and
WHEREAS, COTA has also worked with community leaders to increase economic opportunities throughout Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, the CMAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a new high speed service will run along a 15.6-mile route on Cleveland Ave. from downtown Columbus to Polaris/Africa Road; and
WHEREAS, the Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transportation (GREAT) Partnership connects riders to 20,000 jobs in the Rickenbacker area; and
WHEREAS, the CBUS circulator service connects people to jobs and cultural offerings in the Short North, Downtown, and Brewery District; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council believes it is in the best interests of Columbus residents to renew the 1⁄4 % sales tax to fund the operational needs of the Central Ohio Transit Authority and continue the services that are essential to the quality of life and economic prosperity of our community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council formally endorses the renewal of the COTA levy and supports COTA’s work to expand service in Central Ohio.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Council encourages the residents of Columbus to support this issue in the 2016 general election.