Election 2025: Details on the 1% sales tax increase
Nov. 4. Mecklenburg County voters will decide whether to approve a 1% sales tax increase, raising the county’s rate from 7.25% to 8.25% starting as early as October 1, 2026.
Proponents argue that the tax is essential to address traffic congestion attributed to the region’s growth and commuting traffic that passes through north Mecklenburg, and emphasize that the funding stream would support critical infrastructure and safety projects that have been delayed for years, such as road widening, intersection improvements, road extensions, and sidewalk and multi-use path construction.
If the increase passes, the three North Mecklenburg towns are projected to receive over $100 million in road money over the first five years, creating a funding solution to the backlog of road construction and improvement projects.
In year one, Cornelius is projected to receive approximately $5.75 million for road improvements, with funding increasing annually as the economy grows. Year one projections are $12.5 million for Huntersville and $3.125 million for Davidson.
The tax would also help facilitate the development of the Red Line commuter rail, connecting North Mecklenburg towns to Uptown Charlotte and Charlotte-Douglas Airport (via Gateway Station and the Silver Line), and enhance bus and micro-transit services.
Opponents of the tax increase express concerns about the financial burden on residents, particularly those with lower and middle incomes. They argue that the sales tax is regressive and would disproportionately affect these groups.
Critics also question whether the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) can effectively manage the substantial funds, citing past challenges in project delivery and oversight.
Others are skeptical about the timely completion of large-scale projects like the Red Line.
The proposed tax is expected to generate approximately $19.4 billion over 30 years, with the average household contributing an estimated $240 annually, or $20 per month, according to a recent presentation by the city of Charlotte.
The revenue would be allocated as follows: 40% for road improvements, 40% for rail transit, and 20% for bus and micro-transit services.
It is estimated that year one sales tax revenues (for roads) will be $12.5 million for Huntersville, $5.75 million for Cornelius, and $3.125 million for Davidson, leading to more than $100 million of new road funding injected into north Meck in the first five years of the sales tax.
While these funds could support local projects such as the West Catawba Avenue widening and the Catawba Avenue/US 21 intersection improvements, the existence of the funds will not automatically advance the timing of those projects at the state level.
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Our Partners
Mecklenburg Community Development Strategy:
1. Promote unsustainable growth; develop every available acre of land.
2. Go to taxpayers with hat in hand to prop up woefully inadequate infrastructure.
Good job!
Why can’t we get our TV and Radio newscasts to provide us with this information?
CRPTO has always put the money in Charlotte pockets and now they want more money.
I WILL MOT BE TAKEN AGAIN BY CHARLOTTE POLITICIANS! I VOTE NO ON THIS TAX INCREASE!
Cogent and sensible.
Your title is little disingenuous. it is not a 1% sales tax increase, it is a penny sales tax increase. The current standard tax rate is 7.25%, adding a penny is a 14% tax increase (13.79% to be exact). it alos tax the prepared food tax rate to 9.25%, the same as NYC!
Of this 14% increase, it provides CATS with an over 300% increase in transit tax revenue taken from the residents of Mecklenburg County. The PAVE act tries to promise a red line to North Mecklenburg, but like the promises of the 1990’s when the half cent sales tax went into effect, this will never happen. The clauses in the PAVE act allow the newly created authority to determine it is not feasible and utilize force majeure to move on to other projects.
As far as the authority, every elected official in North Meck Complains about CRTPO and how badly it is weighted to Charlotte, yet this bill creates an authority that gives even more power and authority to Charlotte and will be headed by Ned Curran, the architect of the I-77 toll lanes.
As far as the road funding, this is a local road bill, and specifically states the funding can not supplant existing road projects. Selling it as a solution to Catawba and or Hwy 21, is just an outright lie. If it could be used for Catawba Ave., which is an estimated almost $200 million dollar project, it would take all the funding for 30 years plus an additional $50 million to widen Catawba Ave.
The reality is that the electeds will use this funding for bike paths and greenway trails and we would see very little additional road work in Cornelius. Maybe an intersection improvement here an there
This is a bad bill with a never ending tax, and the residents of Mecklenburg County need to vote Against this bad bill
Great comments, Brian, not much left to add except to say Vote NO on the sales tax referendum that won’t deliver on any of the promises being made by lobbyists and politicians like Washam! Denis Bilodeau is strongly opposed to this sales tax scheme!
Thank you, Brian, great example of Critical thinking vs. Propaganda.
I appreciate your educating us on what the tax really is. You state your case very well. I was already leaning toward voting no, but you really convinced me. Thank you.
Brian Sisson, I agree with all your points against this act. It seems many are confused by the following single point. Please see section 4.4 of NC’s PAVE Act. It is a 1% sales tax increase being proposed. Regardless of this confusion, there are many reasons to not vote for it, even though Meck transportation is indeed in shambles.
So, we give big government a 13% plus never ending sales tax that is projected to cost Cornelius residents 5.75M in year one with no guarantee that any of the infrastructure projects that are touted such as the red line will ever be made or made on time, in our lifetimes or without the need for more tax money (red line completion is estimated to take 10 years) in exchange for Cornelius government receiving back in year one the same 5.75M for those non guaranteed infrastructure improvements. Cornelius Commissioners and current mayor admit that the 5.75M that we are to pay and then get back is insufficient to fund the proposed infrastructure improvements and that the Town does not control when or whether those projects will be done or done without more taxes. The same Big Govenmemt that brought us the I-77 toll lanes now is busy trying to sell us on more taxes to fund a non guaranteed means of easing trafficthat the toll lanes have created. Note, t a huge part of the traffic issues in Cornelius is caused by our Commissioners approving the construction of high density, low income housing in the thousands of units over the last several years. Best we stopp approving more high density units that do not conform with our land use plan and say no thanks to those who have created our problems. Years ago, President Reagan said that the most freighting words that we will ever hear is “we are the Government, and we’re here to help you.” These words are as true today as they were when said..
Finally, a clear and concise list of reasons to vote against the new tax. Charlotte desperately needs this additional revenue stream to pay for their extravagant and frivolous policies. CATS is a money losing entity and with their current business model an unmitigated failure. They have shown that they cannot manage a light rail. The Red Line is a heavier rail. They don’t have a clue what it takes to build and maintain this type of infrastructure.
The opponents of this bill have no clue on how this works. This is the only way roads will get built in the next decade or longer. If you need an example on how this works, you need to look at York County, SC which probably has the best roads in SC because of the penny sales tax that is used for roads/infrastructure only. Get your heads out of the sand and lets get this money for Cornelius while we have the opportunity. Thanks!!
SC has pennies for progress. All funds go to roads and there is a sunset provision. This allows the voters to renew if they are seeing results. We have paid ½ cent since before 2000, for absolutely nothing. There are better ways to get the road funding without locking into a lifetime of a 14% sales tax increase with no accountability!
http://www.noredlinetax.com
We had the ‘opportunity’ over twenty years ago with the 1/2% sales tax increase. Where are the improvements from that?
Development has far outpaced our infrastructure needs. Until we stop such expansion Now! the infrastructure will never catch up.
Randy, If you are going to take such a smug attitude to those who have “no clue”, you should be fully aware that York County’s “Pennies for Progress” sunset after the detailed projects were completed. This referendum has no sunset provision….it goes on forever. Perhaps you should have your facts straight before taking such an attitude. It is quite a major point to leave off your post. For my part, why should we vote for more transit policies before this same group completes their previous commitments to us. Yes, I am referring to the bad toll project where some “bonus allocation” projects still are not complete and the promised hardened shoulders have fallen by the wayside.
Vote against this!!!
Based on what I understand, this is probably a bad idea! The comment in the article that states “The existence of the funds will not automatically advance the timing of those projects at the state level.” kind of says it all. My family has been in a neighborhood that was established in the 2007 time frame. Outside of the original paving done for the streets, no road repair or paving has even been attempted. With an average annual property tax of $1,006,500, our streets have yet to be touched in 18 years. So letting Charlotte and or Cornelius manage an additional 1% increase in Sales tax is bordering on lunacy. Especially when the state (NC) says it will not change the timing of any such projects. Who wants the “Line” coming North Mecklenburg anyway. Geez!!
Unfortunately I have seen before how all these projects are coming our way to pay for someone else dreams to come thru. In reality the taxpayers will get to pay for it for the rest of our life. While some politicians get to spend our money.
There is good intentions but the results will never be what they sold us to vote in favor of this projects. Before moving to Cornelius I was a resident of Miami Dade since 1970. I saw and experience what most people call progress. I definitely have another word to describe what we saw and finally we move here getting away from all the things politicians created with our tax money.
The billions of dollars collected disappear and always they have to keep pumping more money into it and by the grace of God they all became millionaire while collecting pensions for the rest of their life.
Thank you for the opportunity to express myself.
Sincerely: Sergio Sanchez
19518 Heartland St
Is it one cent or 1% or both?
This is in today’s mailbox.
Vote to Stop the Traffic Congestion.
Vote “For” the Solutior
Traffic in Mecklenburg County is awful!
Voting “For” the 1 ¢ sales tax referendum will:
Fund $7.8 billion in local road improvement
Cut down on traffic and commute times
Synchronize green lights for efficient travel
Increase
funding for sa and securit
Vote “For” the Solution on Nov. 4th | Vote Early Oct. 16-Nov
Here’s some facts about the road improvement and rail referendum on the ballot:
• Approximately 30% of the new sales tax will be paid by non-Mecklenburg County residents (source: Charlotte Regional Business Alliance).
• The calculation for revenue distribution favors the towns. Section 4.8, subsection (1)a. states, “The monthly amount for each eligible municipality other than the City of Charlotte is equal to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the greater of the following amounts:”. This means Cornelius will receive 100% of its eligible revenue (based on its street mileage, population, etc.) plus an additional 25%.
• Some say, “the Red Line will never be completed.” Section 4.9 of HB 948, subsection (2) states, “The Authority [MPTA] shall complete at least fifty percent (50%) of the Red Line as evidenced by the scope of work schedule created and submitted by the general contractor or construction manager on the project before the completion of any other rail project,”. This requirement is law. The language is explicit. The statutory guardrails negotiated by our current Cornelius elected officials and town management team in collaboration with our neighboring towns and the City of Charlotte guarantees we will not repeat the mistakes of 25 years ago. All entities (public and private) will be highly motivated to see the Red Line completed as soon as possible.
• Some have voiced skepticism about the timely completion of large-scale projects like the Red Line. While the project will take time, after all pre-construction activities are completed, the new MPTA will execute a contract for construction. Importantly, the MPTA will execute the project contract only after the entire budget for construction is in place. This is critical and serves as a guarantee the project will not be delayed due to lack of funds. Also importantly, once the contractor is awarded the project, that company will be compelled by contract to finish on time or face liquidated damages (significant financial penalties for failure to deliver the project on time). The contractor will be highly motivated to finish the project on or before the contract deadline.
Others have asked, “why isn’t NCDOT paying for the improvements?”
• NCDOT funding is limited due to extraordinary expenses related to past hurricane recoveries along with the adverse impact on gas tax revenues related to more fuel-efficient, electric and hybrid vehicles. NCDOT simply does not have adequate funding for these projects. And this is a big reason why infrastructure improvements and projects, while underway now, have taken so long.
• Others have suggested waiting for NCDOT funding to catch up with our transportation infrastructure needs. For anyone willing to live with the status quo of traffic congestion in our town and on I-77, a vote against the 1% increase does just that, it maintains the status quo. “Kicking the can down the road” is not a solution and it’s actually a bad idea. In 2012, the cost to widen West Catawba Avenue was $20M. Today, the cost estimate is $33.8M. Waiting isn’t improvement and it will place an even greater financial burden on taxpayers.
Finally, this revenue can be used for existing NCDOT road projects on the STIP so long as NCDOT has not spent money on the project. Also, projects can be moved up on the STIP with the same conditions.
Make an informed decision:
Here’s the actual HB 948 (The PAVE Act) bill, visit: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H948v7.pdf
For more information about HB 948 (The PAVE Act), Cornelius road projects, and the Red Line visit the Town of Cornelius website:
https://cornelius.org/government/departments/planning_/transportation_sales_tax_referendum.php
I hope you’ll vote “YES”, but whatever way you decide to vote, PLEASE VOTE. Your vote matters.
Vote NO.
This dates back to I-77 and Toll lanes.
All very poor decisions and traffic continues to worsen. Mismanagement within CATS at its best.
Does anyone ever want a tax increase? Of course not.
For anyone willing to live with the status quo of traffic congestion in our town and on I-77, a vote against the 1% increase does just that, it maintains the status quo. In fact, it implicitly says we’re ok with what everyone knows; congestion is only going to get worse.
And not only the congestion, but the cost. Failing to fund the solutions to reduce congestion now will inevitably cost us more in the future. In 2012, the cost to widen West Catawba Avenue was $20M. Today, the cost is estimated to be $33.8M. “Kicking the can down the road” is not a solution and it’s a really bad idea for taxpayers.
And let’s be clear, Charlotte will not control the revenue. It will be transferred directly to Cornelius to fund Cornelius priorities.
Don’t be misled, the additional funding can be used on existing projects:
“Local government participation can positively affect a project’s schedule. Reducing the amount of NCDOT funds required to construct a project makes it easier to fund.
There is also a legal provision that allows a local government to loan NCDOT the funding needed to construct a project sooner than the STIP schedule.” (https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/Pages/frequently-asked-questions.aspx)
While I understand the concerns about the 1%, the question remains…is there another solution for reducing congestion? It’s easy for candidates to say “NO”, but without a real solution for the problem, “NO” really means, “I don’t have a solution, but please elect me anyway.”
We all know development grew too fast and too much for our transportation infrastructure, but we can’t change what’s already a reality. What we can do is vote for a solution. Voting “YES” on the referendum will fund a solution. The revenue will “expedite” improvements and reduce congestion.
Don’t just read the comments here, including mine. Make an informed decision. Please visit https://cornelius.org/government/departments/planning_/transportation_sales_tax_referendum.php
Please read Brian Sisson’s comments. Keep in mind that the 40%the towns would receive is divided by the three towns. If $5 million would do that much for roads, Cornelius could have already used some of their rainy day fund. Our infrastructure is surely a rainy day but this tax is not the way to bring out the sunshine!
This is a terrible bill full of loopholes and clown math! How can anyone seriously believe that the mammoth county authority that is CTRPO suddenly become good stewards and fair to the North Meck region. And a permanent tax to boot? Our citizens are already hitched to an audaciously expensive toll road that penalizes major regional road improvements for 50 years! …overdue interstate widening which should’ve been funded by the special “half cent” tax we paid for two decades and never saw. We all want relief from the congestion but this won’t provide it.
Mecklenburg County is wrought with waste and fluff. Giving them more funding rather than demanding fiscal accountability is a ridiculous notion. It’s neither smart nor sustainable. Voters need to think about what we’re tying our communities to …the burden we’re teeing up for the next generation. It’s an easy hard NO!
Bottom line: VOTE NO!!!
Was reading another area publication this morning and, interestingly, it stated the additional 1% would cost the average taxpayer between $11 and $20 per month or between 37 cents and 67 cents per day. And the 1% doesn’t apply to most groceries, prescriptions, and some other daily essentials.
Is it fair to say we can burn way more than 37-67 cents in fuel sitting in traffic on town roads and I-77?
Many of the comments posted to this Cornelius Today article are understandable and correct. CRPTO was not good for our town. The promise of an additional 1/2 cent over the past 25+ years was a “broken” promise. Development was allowed to grow too much and too fast for our streets and roads, but we can’t undo what’s been built (though we certainly must do better, be smarter going forward).
Nevertheless, with all that said, I still get it. Some just don’t trust Charlotte…but that’s why the revenue will flow directly to our town, not through Charlotte. Revenue flows to Cornelius, is controlled by Cornelius, for Cornelius priorities. Can we agree, it will be easier to hold our local town officials accountable versus those in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Raleigh?
Without a plan to relieve traffic congestion, we are stuck with the status quo, actually we’re stuck in a situation that is getting worse. If there’s another funding plan out there that will expedite road projects and reduce congestion without the 1%, count me onboard!
Otherwise, let’s vote “YES”.
My Reasons to Vote NO
The 1998 transit tax was supposed to fund expansion across Mecklenburg County, yet most of it has been absorbed by operating costs, poor management, and Charlotte-centric projects — and we’re still paying that ½-cent tax.
Now they’re asking for another 1% sales tax. But Mecklenburg’s transit system (CATS) has been cited in multiple state audits for weak oversight, contract mismanagement, and safety lapses. Until accountability improves, there’s no reason to trust them with even more of our money.
Finally, by the time a $10 billion rail system is built, self-driving shuttles, on-demand transit, and AI-based traffic control could make that investment obsolete. I’d rather see innovation and efficiency — not another tax feeding a broken system.