Board narrowly votes to extend passenger-rail ad hoc committee amid skeptical debate

The Rock County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 12 to extend its ad hoc committee on passenger-rail development, authorizing continued outreach to regional stakeholders and preparation for a Department of Transportation study should funding become available.

A supervisor who spoke in favor said the committee has "received valuable information and insights" and pointed to recent Amtrak and Metro announcements that create new regional opportunities. The resolution directs staff to pursue regional coordination and funding sources and to prepare for a request-for-proposals process once authorized funding is available.

Opponents questioned the value of maintaining a dedicated subcommittee and expressed reservations about staff time and the likelihood of sufficient ridership. Supervisor Schwartz said he was "sort of curious whose time and how much of it" staff would spend, and added that "passenger rail is an outdated mode and it probably isn't gonna work well" without strong ridership levels.

Supporters argued recent state and regional movements — including a request to the governor and potential inclusion in the state biennial budget for a commuter-rail study — justify keeping an ad hoc committee in place to pursue grants and corridor planning. The vote (motion moved by Sutterlund; seconded by Raskin) was recorded by roll call at 15 yes, 11 no, 3 absent.

The resolution notes the county previously authorized a corridor study request and that staff are working on a designated corridor to include Rock County. It directs the committee and staff to coordinate with regional planning organizations and pursue grants and other county funding sources should they become available.

The board recorded the vote as 15 yes, 11 no and 3 absent.