Matthews Town Attorney Daniel Peterson called on local governments Monday, Aug. 10, to stand firm against the proposed I-77 South toll lane project, giving Davidson a named legal ally as it remains the only Lake Norman town that has not reversed its opposition ahead of a Sept. 23 vote.

Peterson's statement, reported by WFAE, directly challenged the Republican-controlled General Assembly's budget provision requiring municipalities that voted against the toll lanes to repay the state for money spent designing the project. The total repayment demand is $60 million, shared among Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization member municipalities that voted to rescind support.

"Neither Matthews nor any other local government seeks this conflict, but cannot stand by and tacitly consent to be treated this way," Peterson said.

He called the penalty provision inappropriate regardless of one's position on the toll lanes, urging more measured action from state legislators.

The statement lands as Davidson faces mounting pressure. Cornelius reversed its opposition in a 3-0 vote on June 15. Huntersville also reversed course. Statesville voted 7-1 on Aug. 10 to support the project, citing a $1.6 million penalty it sought to avoid. As we reported Aug. 12, Davidson remains the lone Lake Norman holdout.

In an Aug. 6 WCNC interview, Cornelius Mayor Denis Bilodeau said his town's potential $3 million to $3.5 million penalty left little choice for a municipality with a $40 million total budget. "We're in favor because we're trying to avoid a very, very, very steep penalty. We're not in favor of the tolls," Bilodeau said.

Peterson is not the only official raising legal objections. Mecklenburg County Commission Vice Chair Leigh Altman argued at an Aug. 6 board meeting, as reported by WFAE, that the budget provision may violate constitutional protections against bills of attainder and specifically targets Mecklenburg County. She also disputed the accuracy of the $60 million penalty figure.

State Rep. Vickie Sawyer submitted the repayment provision, which requires any CRTPO member municipality that voted to rescind support for the I-77 South project to pay back its share or face additional consequences, including delays to other state-funded road projects.

Davidson has not publicly responded to Peterson's call. A town spokesperson told Queen City News on Aug. 3 that the town was still reviewing the budget language and could not yet assess its impact. Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox has not indicated whether the town will change course.

The CRTPO board is scheduled to vote on the toll lanes Sept. 23. Municipalities face an Oct. 5 deadline to change their votes or risk the penalty.