State Law To Allow Cumberland To Change Size Of Rail Authority Board

A House Bill working its way through the state legislature that would change the size of the Cumberland County Rail Authority.

Mayor Allen Foster said if passed, the commission can decide between three or five members to make the board.

“The way the law is written is a little odd,” Foster said. “It caused us to have a two member rail authority board. We’ve never had a problem with that, but if you have two people, you can have a tied vote awfully easy. We just felt it would be better to have an odd number.”

House Speaker Cameron Sexton and State Senator Paul Bailey have sponsored companion bills to make the change. A final copy needs to be presented for final signatures.

Foster said the already established rail authority maintains a spur located in eastern Cumberland County. Foster said a stone company uses the railway.

Foster said an extension of the spur was considered, but the property has been since sold to the new Motorsport Park coming to Cumberland County. Foster said no other extensions have been mentioned since.