Board of Delegates Tackles Transportation and Mobility
Regionalism couldn’t exist without strong participation and collaboration among our local governments. We rely on 64 elected officials from the region to head our Board of Delegates and work together to advance our region. Delegates gather quarterly to learn about and discuss regional issues.
The highlights below are for informational purposes and are not official meeting minutes.
Meeting Actions
- The Board of Delegates approved a membership request from the Town of Harmony in Iredell County.
State and Federal Connections
As part of the member benefit, Centralina supports advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. Officials recognize the regional advocacy approach as a trusted, professional and effective way to prioritize needs, request resource allotments and maximize the benefit of those allotments.
- State Updates (Chris Wall with EQV Strategic):
- Centralina launched an email campaign through the organization’s Upstate legislative tracking platform and contacted 29 State House Members to express opposition to S205: Swimming Pools/Housing Regulatory Reform. This bill contains some of the provisions from H765: Save the American Dream Act that threatened local control over zoning decisions. Multiple legislators have acknowledged the concerns local leaders across the state have voiced about S205 and are taking those perspectives into account as they consider next steps.
- The Centralina team continues to monitor the state budget process and bills related to topics prioritized by members, such as land use and zoning, transportation, water/sewer, and local government operations.
- Federal Updates (Kyle Leopard with Strategics):
- Executive Actions
- 8/7/25 Executive Order on Federal Grants (Assessing Impacts)
- Clean Cities FY25 Grant Funding Release (Advocating with DOE)
- Congressional Activities
- FY26 Appropriations Process (Monitoring)
- Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 (Assessing Impacts)
- Executive Actions
- Centralina Staff Advocacy Updates:
- The Centralina team has arranged for legislative meetings on August 15 with Representatives Moore (14th District) and Harrigan (10th District). Centralina member organizations within districts are invited to these exclusive events, which are generally hosted across all Centralina districts on an annual basis.
Centralina Forum
At Board of Delegates meetings, Centralina provides expert speakers to discuss topics affecting the region. Delegates then participate in activities that support the sharing of concerns, ideas and input on what matters and how their communities are affected.
August Form Topic: Regional Transportation and Mobility
- Panel Discussion on State & Federal Policy – Speakers:
- Tony Lathrop, Chair, N.C. Board of Transportation
- Jackie Hunley, Legislative Director for Representative Addison McDowell (6th District)
- Panel highlights:
- Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western NC are a NCDOT funding priority.
- Due to inflation, there’s an increased cost for capital projects, which will limit the amount of funding available for maintenance.
- NC First Commission reviewed options to make up for revenue loss due to fuel-efficient vehicles, including mileage-based user fees and recovering “at the pump” loss via EV charging stations. The federal government is also reviewing actions that can be reasonably implemented.
- The P.A.V.E. Act, which allows for a Mecklenburg County public referendum on a 1% sales tax increase for public transportation, is gaining attention in other areas of the state. Mecklenburg County’s opportunity will lead to economic benefits across the region. The P.A.V.E. Act can support future projects and approved funding can be accumulated.
- Congressional committees have begun work on the surface transportation reauthorization and plan to have a draft bill this fall. Priorities include safety and stabilizing the highway trust fund. Rep. McDowell sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee will be involved in this process.
- Jurisdictions in the region can work better to:
- State: Lean on relationships, collaboration and working as a larger voice on regional priorities.
- Federal: Continue to proactively provide inputs and interests in what is needed at the federal level through direct conversations.
- Mobility Workshop
Centralina is actively collaborating with partners to support the implementation of the CONNECT Beyond regional mobility plan. Members received an update on highway, passenger rail, transit and non-vehicular mobility needs, opportunities and investments, then participated in guided discussions.
Member concerns include:- I-85 construction, its impacts and the importance of mobility options to minimize impacts
- Current and future passenger rail stops in the region
- Improving understanding and transparency around project funding priorities
Events and Announcements
Free trainings and events for member government staff!
Registration at Centralina.org/events
FEATURED EVENT: Centralina Learns: UrbanPlan for Public Officials
All elected local government officials and appointed advisory board members are encouraged to attend this free, one-of-a-kind session.
Centralina Regional Council is partnering with the Urban Land Institute to host Centralina Learns: UrbanPlan for Public Officials on Thursday, September 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Centralina’s Charlotte office.
This interactive training provides insight into the development process and the trade-offs developers and local officials face in shaping our communities. Participants will take part in a hands-on simulation designed to deepen their understanding of public/private partnerships and their role in creating effective land use outcomes.
Region of Excellence Awards – Centralina will hold its annual Region of Excellence Awards on October 8, 4 p.m., at the Gaston Convention Center. Local governments, nonprofits, and support organizations will be recognized for their work to develop well-planned communities, support economic opportunities, and improve systems and services.
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