Washington, Clay Townships to decide on transit funding referendum

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Two Hamilton County Townships will consider a tax increase to help pay for mass transit in Central Indiana. Tuesday, the Clay and Washington township boards will decide whether to add a referendum for transit funding to the November ballot.

The tax increase would help fund the Central Indiana Transit Plan. The goal is to create a mass transit system that connects several Central Indiana counties. Marion County has already approved adding the referendum to the ballot, and now Clay and Washington Townships will decide.

If the referendum is on the Hamilton County ballot in November, voters will decide on a 0.25 percent tax increase. Indy Connect said the plan will create a mass transit network in Hamilton County, including the Red Line and the Green Line.

The Red Line would eventually connect Westfield to Greenwood. The Green Line would eventually connect Fishers and Noblesville to downtown Indianapolis.

Indy Connect said the median income is $86,760, meaning the tax increase would be approximately $216.90 a year.

Hamilton County voters can attend an open house on Thursday to learn more about the mass transit plan. Indy Connect will host an open house at 6:30 PM at the Bridgewater Club in Carmel.

Indy Connect said there will be more open houses throughout the summer.