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(WJBK) - WEB UPDATE: The resolution was introduced and is being referred to a committee.
Let the voters decide - that's what supporters of regional transit in Oakland County will be asking in about an hour.
The board of commissioners can pass a resolution at today's meeting recommending the issue of regional transit be put on the November ballot. But they do not have any binding powers to actually make that happen.
That is up to the Regional Transit Authority Board, which are the only ones that can place something on the ballot in November.
"I don't drive right now," said Dana Fortier. "I have medical condition that keeps me from driving."
So she walks, and if it's too far, the Novi resident grabs an Uber.
"From here to the hospital which is Providence Park, it's probably about three miles away from me, it's about $7," she said. "That's one way."
So Dana is asking Oakland County leaders to help her find another way to get around. Oakland County Commissioner Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel are two leaders that don't like the current plan for regional transit that's being recommended.
"I don't think Brooks Patterson is aware of the needs of the people in his county," she said. "It's a very ancient idea."
But the deputy county executive says it's not an ancient idea but a smart one. And here's why county executives think the current regional transit plan is a roadblock.
"They're asking us to tax 38 of our communities for 20 years to support services in other places," said Gerald Poisson, chief deputy county executive.
FOX 2: "What do you tell that woman in Novi who says that your office is simply out of touch?"
"I would tell the Novi woman to go to her city council and ask them to put a question on the ballot to opt into the 196 authority to raise money in Novi to promote transit in Novi," Poisson said.
"Two people shouldn't be deciding for over two million citizens on whether not they should have regional public transit," said Rachel Kline, a regional transit advocate.
Kline is with the group Moses, a community group in Detroit that's hoping to make regional transit a reality.
"I think it plays into the racial undertones of ultimately 'We don't want those people in our city,'" she said. "That's us being one of the most segregated areas in the country, this is really playing out in this battle."
But Oakland county officials will tell you that's missing the mark. The issue here is simple, they say - if you want transit in your community, talk to your community leaders.
"There are ways for her to achieve transit in her county that doesn't require the citizens of Ortonville, Holly, Clarkston, Rochester, Rochester Hills, South Lyon, Walton lake, commerce to pay for transit in her community," Poisson said. "Go pay for it yourself."