Councilwoman Green presents resolution to dedicate $10 million in vehicle registration fees to public transit

Councilwoman Green introduced a resolution asking the council to dedicate $10,000,000 of the vehicle registration fee as a funding source for public transportation, saying she had agreement from the administration and urged future councils to continue or expand the dedication. "So I have because we have seen, less than stellar, revenues from the clerk thus far to dedicate 10,000,000 of the vehicle registration fee to public transportation," she said.

Councilmember Doctor Warren seconded the resolution and voiced support while cautioning that a council resolution cannot bind future councils. "You can say what you're gonna use it for, and then the next council can come and do whatever they wanna do with it," he said, urging consideration of an ordinance or a separate regional funding body that could hold and raise funds for transit.

Legal counsel and administrators were acknowledged as having discussed the proposal with Councilwoman Green. The item was presented as a policy direction and is listed as Resolution No. 1 in the meeting packet; the chair confirmed no vote was taken on the resolution at this session. Members asked staff to return with more details on whether the proposal would be better structured as an ordinance or whether alternative governance arrangements could secure long-term funding.