Vancouver city leaders and the Clark County Council are urging residents to push back against the C‑TRAN 2045 Light Rail and Transit‑Oriented Development (TOD) proposal. The plan, which would raise the regional sales tax from 0.7% to 0.9% in 2030 and to 1.1% by 2040, also calls for new bond options, motor‑vehicle excise taxes and other fees that could increase property taxes without a direct voter vote.
Tax and debt concerns
The Washington Policy Center notes that the average household in the Sound Transit district already pays more than $1,700 per year in sales, motor‑vehicle excise and property taxes. Despite that subsidy, Sound Transit’s light‑rail lines carry less than 1% of daily trips, and overall transit ridership in the region has fallen compared with a decade ago.
In 2025, C‑TRAN collected $86.8 million in sales tax. The 2045 plan projects additional revenue from higher sales taxes, a new high‑capacity‑transit (HCT) sales tax, and possible bond issuances that could raise property taxes without a public vote. Critics argue that this would place a heavier burden on families and businesses already paying the highest regional tax rates.
Local officials voice opposition
At a June 23, 2026 C‑TRAN board workshop, Vancouver City Councilor Erik Paulsen suggested that converting existing BRT stops to a tram could be done with minimal infrastructure work, but he emphasized that fixed rail is what truly drives development. While Paulsen sees potential in rail, he also warned that the current BRT system does not move the needle on growth.
Mayor Ann McEnerny‑Ogle later recommended that Vancouver develop its own light‑rail plan within city limits rather than rely on the county‑wide C‑TRAN proposal. Both officials stressed the need for local control and voter approval before any large‑scale tax increases.
Voter‑approved safeguards
Clark County voters have a history of rejecting unfunded light‑rail projects. In 2012, a ballot measure to fund an HCT tax for extending Oregon Max light rail over the I‑5 Bridge was defeated. In 2013, the county council placed a measure on the ballot requiring any future light‑rail project to receive a county‑wide voter majority; 68% of voters approved that safeguard.
A 2022 county resolution reaffirmed the requirement that any light‑rail expansion receive direct voter approval. Despite this, a majority of the current Clark County Council appears willing to substitute a C‑TRAN board vote for a public referendum on the 2045 plan.
Financial snapshot
Rep. John Ley highlighted C‑TRAN’s strong finances in 2025, noting $201 million in reserve funds and $8.6 million in investment interest. He argued there is no pressing need for additional sales‑tax increases. However, the agency’s payroll costs have risen over 55% since 2023, climbing from $30 million to $46.7 million, and passenger boardings have fallen to 4.9 million—well below the 1999 peak of 7.75 million.
Public input deadline
The C‑TRAN board has opened a public‑comment period that runs through Monday, November 16. Residents and businesses are encouraged to submit feedback online at c-tran.com/give-feedback and to contact Clark County councilors, city councils and the C‑TRAN clerk with the subject line “C‑TRAN 2045 Plan.” The board is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its December 8 meeting.
Local leaders continue to stress that any tax increase or new debt should be subject to direct voter approval, aligning with the county’s long‑standing resolution to protect taxpayers from unfunded transit projects.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
