[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=40865.97

Area leaders not behind special RTA referendum

Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - A state law mandating four counties - including La Porte - conduct a special referendum Nov. 3 on whether to join a regional transportation authority is unpopular with local leaders due to the costs of conducting it.

County Commissioner Barbara Huston said Tuesday night it is the board's position not to hold the election. This was in response to County Council President Mark Yagelski's inquiry. He said council members have been discussing what avenue to take on the referendum for about a month and a half.

Commissioner Mike Bohacek said after the meeting the commission has been discussing options with the council, but the county election board has the ultimate decision.

County Attorney Craig Braje explained the election board hasn't been funded the money needed to hold a county-wide election. It would be the County Council's decision to appropriate money to the election board.

Only one item would be on the ballot: whether to join a regional transportation authority that would fund commuter rail - the South Shore, which is operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. NICTD wants to impose taxes to fund South Shore extensions to Valparaiso in Porter County and Lowell in Lake County and for operating support. An RTA also would allow La Porte and St. Joseph counties to join the regional bus system in Lake and Porter counties.

Leaders in the other three counties voting on the referendum - Lake, St. Joseph and Porter - have expressed displeasure with the November election, which would be in an off-year, instead of a year when elections already are conducted.

The cost the counties are expected to incur could be in the hundreds of thousands each, up to $250,000 for La Porte County. The next primary is scheduled for May 2010, and the regional transit authority referendum could be added to the ballot at no significant additional cost.

La Porte County's bill would be higher than the $28,000 cost to the May Michigan City Area Schools referendum on a school bond issue because that election used only two polling stations for 33 precincts. This election would cover all 74 precincts and require more polling stations and workers.

In the past, State Sen. Jim Arnold has suggested that because there is no penalty clause in the legislature ordering the election, there may be no penalty for not hosting an election.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=25598

The Issue:

The Legislature mandated a referendum Nov. 3.

Our Opinion:

The vote should be next fall during the regular primary election.
RTA vote
Special referendum costly

Editorial

It's nice to take the pulse of the electorate frequently, but having a referendum can be a costly affair. That's why it's good to see La Porte County government resisting the state Legislature's mandate to conduct a referendum on Nov. 3 on whether to form a regional transportation authority with three other counties.

County Commission President Barbara Huston said Tuesday she's not in favor of a special election this fall. If an election is conducted in all 74 county precincts, it could cost La Porte County nearly a quarter million dollars.

The election apparatus would have to be set up for a single question on the ballot if the referendum is held this November, whereas the cost would be next to nothing if the question were posed during the regularly scheduled primary election next May.

It was wise of the Indiana General Assembly to put the question to the voters, since a regional transportation authority, if approved by voters, would have the power to levy taxes.

However, it was unwise to schedule it this November, when no other election is to take place.

The other three counties, St. Joseph, Porter and Lake, are resisting the mandate also, and while it's unclear what happens if no referendum is conducted, State Sen. Jim Arnold has noted that there is no penalty in the law for non-compliance.

Of course, another referendum was conducted this year in May, again when no regular election was scheduled. That was called for when remonstrators petitioned against a Michigan City Area Schools proposal for a bond issue to build a $39 million tech center.

Election officials saved money by having only two polling places instead of using all 33 in the school district, a smart move. Consolidating precincts for all elections is best approach long term, but let's not have the RTA vote this fall.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.chestertontribune.com/Northwest...n_transit_r.htm

By PAULENE POPARAD

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District directors approved guidelines for future transit-oriented development, but they took no position Friday on a Nov. 3 transit referendum that could change how the South Shore’s governing board operates.

The referendum is mandated by state law to take place simultaneously in the NICTD counties of St. Joseph, LaPorte, Porter and Lake although only Porter and likely St. Joseph have indicated they will conduct the vote.

At issue is whether a Northern Indiana Regional Transportation District should be created to provide regional bus and rail transportation. If the RTD is approved, NICTD becomes the commuter rail division of the new district that would be governed by a 10-member regional board.

After Friday’s meeting NICTD chairman Mark Catanzarite, a member of the St. Joseph County Council, said although there’s widespread concern among the NICTD board, “Each county has a different opinion whether this board should be involved in taking a position.”

Catanzarite also said NICTD would be changed dramatically if the referendum passes. The next NICTD board meeting is Nov. 20; Catanzarite said he doesn’t anticipate NICTD taking a position on the RTD before the Nov. 3 vote.

Porter County Council and NICTD board member Sylvia Graham said the RTD is a very controversial issue and even though the NICTD board chose not to take a position, she would have been willing at least to discuss it.

The RTD would have the ability to levy an income tax of up to 0.25 percent on residents of the counties included in the district to provide transportation services to them. The referendum ballot does not refer to the tax, and the regional rail system named specifically does not limit it to commuter rail.

“If you vote for the RTD, you’re putting another tax on yourself,” said Graham.

She urged Porter County voters to cast their ballots Nov. 3. “Porter County is taking this as a serious election. All polling places will be open and voters can get an absentee ballot. I encourage everyone to get out and vote, whether you’re for (a RTD) or against it. You’ve got to exert your right to vote.”

Meanwhile, the NICTD board split 5-3 Friday to approve a revised transit-oriented development policy after a more specific TOD resolution was tabled in July when questions arose.

The new two-page resolution adopts financial and development criteria to guide NICTD management in the implementation of TOD within the South Shore service area to enhance its stations and the passengers’ commuting experience. Such projects may include better parking options, retail services and office/residential development in partnership with private developers, public entities and local communities.

In July, general manager Gerald Hanas said NICTD would be willing to discuss TOD opportunities with the Town of Porter, which plans to develop an iconic gateway to the Indiana Dunes near U.S. 20 and Indiana 49 including a possible hotel to serve the state and national parks.

NICTD also had been approached about a possible partnership with developers hoping to replace the Gary Metro Center commuter station with a station complex near Interstate 65 and U.S. 20.

Consultant William Sheldrake of Policy Analytics said a TOD policy is part of the long-range strategic planning for many transit systems.

NICTD’s TOD resolution stipulates “it is imperative that the private capital interests share the risk as well as the rewards with the public-sector entities” involved in such joint development partnerships.

NICTD also desires to reduce its non-trackside management related to any new station development, however, the commuter district is willing to request grants to provide public capital for public/private TOD projects.

Porter County Commissioner John Evans was among those voting for the TOD policy Friday; Graham, LaPorte County Councilman Mark Yagelski and Governor’s appointee Richard Vulpitta all voted no.

Michigan City and NICTD are discussing moving over the existing downtown South Shore tracks there and building a new passenger station. Said Yagelski, “We don’t need this to develop Michigan City. Michigan City will happen without this resolution in place.”

Lake County Council member Christine Cid asked if the TOD resolution authorizes eminent domain for NICTD to acquire land. Hanas said the agency has eminent domain power now regardless of the TOD resolution.

　



Posted 9/28/2009