Gardner asks TARTA to continue Perrysburg service

State Rep. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green) Tuesday accused TARTA of “taxation without transportation” if Perrysburg voters choose to exit TARTA and consequently lose bus service during a three-month gap period this year.

Perrysburg voters will decide on the March 6 ballot whether the city should opt out of transit service from the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority.

But if the referendum passes, the city is scheduled to lose TARTA services around October and currently no new alternative transit plan is ready for the remainder of 2012. Several frequent bus users have said that would hurt their livelihood.

Mr. Gardner argued the city will have paid about $375,000 in property taxes to TARTA from October through December, so the bus service should continue through the end of the year.

During the meeting, Mr. Gardner read a letter he sent Tuesday to TARTA General Manager James Gee.

“This issue is about giving communities the freedom to decide,” Mr. Gardner said. “However, your decision to shut down services to residents who have been taxed for this service is unfair and unacceptable.”

Unless TARTA is willing to contract with Perrysburg for $1, he said he would propose legislation this spring to require both the city’s taxation and TARTA membership to end Dec. 31 if the opt-out passes.

City officials did not speak, except Mayor Nelson Evans, who thanked Mr. Gardner for his help. No TARTA representatives were at the meeting.

In Sylvania Township and Rossford, officials considered placing similar referendums on the ballot, but ultimately, chose not to because they weren’t prepared to start up a replacement plan.

Perrysburg city officials, who approved the contract to hire a transportation consultant earlier this month, have said they will plan an alternative transit system should voters approve the March opt-out referendum. A tax to fund a new plan is expected to be on the November ballot, officials said.

The TARTA issue will also be brought up during a League of Women Voters-sponsored round table discussion set for 7 p.m., Feb. 28, at Way Public Library in Perrysburg. TARTA transportation Superintendent Tom Metzger and Councilman J. Todd Grayson will lead the discussion.