CONTINUED FROM 1
VOTE BREAKDOWN
agreement that could provide the city with $1.9 million in funding to be used for certain local transportation projects under Capital Metro’s Build Central Texas and Transit Supported Infrastructure Fund programs. In the agreement, Leander will receive a portion of Cap- ital Metro’s new $10 million transit-supportive infrastruc- ture fund. These funds will be shared by other small member cities and is proportional to sales tax contributions. Lean- der’s portion of the $10 mil- lion is estimated to be $7.74 million said Erika Mazza, the Capital Metro vice president of government aairs at a Jan. 24 board meeting. Capi- tal Metro will also oer assis- tance to secure federal grants that support transit and assis- tive infrastructure, according to Capital Metro. The terms of the interlocal agreement remain a work in progress by both entities, but Capital Metro, at its March 28 meeting, authorized its presi- dent and CEO to complete and nalize the agreement with Leander. The city similarly directed its sta to complete the agreement in January. Leander Council Member Becki Ross, who also serves on the Capital Metro board, said the interlocal agreement makes sure the city is in a bet- ter nancial position going forward. She added that she could have gone either way on the vote to call for the election to remain in Capital Metro. TAXING FOR TRANSIT
next-day pickup service that could be completed in April. In the shorter term of six months to four or ve years, the city would solicit bids from alternative providers for contracts with at least in-city pickup and commuter bus services. In this second phase, there could be options for accessing The Domain and the Apple campus in Austin based on demand. In the long term, the city would solicit new bids from alternative providers and may change transit services based on funding. This optionwould begin after the net nancial obligation is paid and the city is able to recapture an addi- tional 1% general sales tax. The city is looking for an interim park-and-ride option as Capital Metro will not allow another vendor to use Lean- der Station, which Capital Metro owns, Neu said. Leander resident Rachel Montemayor said it is con- cerning there are no set alter- natives for current Capital Metro services. Montemay- or’s husband, who is visually impaired, relies on the com- muter rail to travel to Austin for work as a music teacher with Austin ISD. “My husband could go on disability, but then this com- munity and children lose out,” Montemayor said. “With Cap[ital] Metro, I know he has a safe and on-time ride to work, and, right now, there is no alternative for pickup service, MetroExpress or the
Ultimately, she voted against adding the Capital Metro proposition along with Esme Mattke Longoria in a 5-2 vote Jan. 25. “This has been a lot of work over the last several months,” Ross said at Capital Metro’s March 28 meeting. “[I have] true appreciation for the Cap[ital] Metro sta and teams to make this [ILA] hap- pen. It [was] a lot in a short period of time.” Transit alternatives If a majority of voters say “no” to staying in Capital Metro, bus, pickup and rail services would cease within 48 hours of canvassing votes, but the 1% sales tax would continue to pay down an out- standing balance estimated Dec. 31 to be about $42 mil- lion, according to council dis- cussions and a Capital Metro spokesperson. That number is based on a previously agreed- upon formula that calculates assets and liabilities in case of a city’s withdrawal. The city does not have con- rmed alternatives in place as of press time, but city ocials are in discussions with out- side vendors for immediate, short-term and long-term transit options, city spokes- person Mike Neu said. After the election, service would give transit access to those that currently use the services. The city is in discus- sions with four potential ven- dors for immediate service. The city solicited a bid for a
Here is more information about what would happen with a “yes” or “no” majority vote in Proposition A. SHALL THE CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BE CONTINUED IN THE CITY OF LEANDER?
Yes vote Capital Metro continues
Leander remains a Capital Metro member city.
The current 1% sales tax to Capital Metro continues .
An interlocal agreement, which has yet to be nalized, will give the city of Leander funding for transit-related infrastructure . This includes up to $1.9 million in Capital Metro’s Build Central Texas program and up to $7.74 million from a transit- supportive infrastructure fund.
No vote Leander leaves Capital Metro Leander is no longer a Capital Metro member city.
City sta are evaluating immediate, short- term and long-term alternatives to Capital Metro service. This could include contracted service with Capital Metro, but city ocials said the transit provider will not discuss options until the election is canvassed. • Following the election , the city is looking to provide pickup service and commuter bus service through December. The city will need to nd an alternative park-and- ride location because Capital Metro owns the Leander Station and would not provide access to a third-party transit provider. • In the short term , which is six months after the election through the end of the payment of the net nancial obligation, the city would seek contracts with at least in-city pickup and commuter bus service. • In the long term , which is after the nancial obligation is paid, the city would adjust transit services based on funding and ridership. This would not include rail service. Capital Metro will continue collecting a 1% sales tax in Leander until the net nancial obligation is paid. As of Dec. 31, this is estimated to be $42.3 million. • Existing Capital Metro services will discontinue in the 48 hours after the election is canvassed, or nalized. This will occur several days following the May 7 election.
Each member city in Capital Metro captures a 1% sales tax, on top of state and city taxes, to fund the transportation authority. In 2020, Leander’s contribution was the second-highest, after Austin, in both total amount and per capita.
Population
Per capita
City
Contribution
Austin
$237,947,136 961,855
$247.38 $131.43 $119.03 $82.26 $78.59
Leander
$7,780,850
59,202
Manor
$1,624,939
13,652
Lago Vista
$731,745
8,896
Jonestown
$185,860
2,365
Point Venture
$77.24
$97,322
1,260
SOURCE: CITY OF LEANDERCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
SOURCE: CAPITAL METRO, U.S. CENSUS BUREAUCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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