MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There finally appears to be some significant movement in local government to better fund the Memphis Area Transit Authority. Both the city council and the Shelby County Commission are considering ordinances to create a continuing revenue stream to help improve the MATA bus system.
The county proposal would set up a special account using money from expiring tax abatements – also known as Payments in lieu of taxes – or PILOTs. Democratic Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. is spearheading the PILOT idea, along with Republican colleague Brandon Morrison.
Assuming both the council and commission approve their respective ordinances on the required three readings, MATA would eventually get a total of $30 million in additional tax dollars.
Looking at the politics of these proposals, I believe both will pass. Although there will likely be less contention with the council than with the commission, several Republican commissioners will no doubt vote against the ordinance because it is providing county money for the city-run transit system. But Republicans are outnumbered on the commission 8 to 5, and one Republican, Morrison, is fully on board with funding MATA.
I do agree that if the ordinances pass, the MATA board should be expanded to include two to three new members representing the county’s suburban cities.
As our community seeks to attract new businesses – particularly with Ford’s Blue Oval City set to open – public transportation will be vital, which means these ordinances are vital as well.