Gwinnett voters will get a say on bringing Marta into the county come next March.

The Gwinnett commission voted 4-1 in support of the contract with the transit agency with District Three Commissioner Tommy Hunter the only vote in opposition. When it came time for a vote on the referendum itself, all commissioners voted in favor.

“I think the plan of joining MARTA is misguided. But since it is an issue that will persist long after my term on the Commission, I think the folks who have to foot the bill should decide,” said Hunter in a statement.

District Four Commission John Heard was initially opposed to the idea and came out openly against it last week. But he ultimately voted in favor of the contract and holding the referendum in March.

In a statement he says: “It will take partisan politics out of it. It’s an important issue that needs to stand on its own. November ballot is partition issue. Transit issue deserves its own ballot.”

Commission Chair Charlotte Nash says delaying the referendum was the only way to get all of the commissioners on board. But ultimately, she doesn’t think it will hurt turnout or the outcome of the vote.

“I think the support is there across the county and I think we’ll see passage of the referendum,” she tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Almost immediately after the two votes, those in attendance at the early Wednesday morning special called meeting voiced their disapproval of delaying the referendum.

“We need to move this forward in November not March, I’ve waited long enough,” says Gwinnett resident Pam Cox.

Gabe Okoye, chairman of the Gwinnett Democratic Party says the delay is nothing more than a political ploy.

“In my opinion, I think we’re still not quite serious about improving the public transit system in Gwinnett County. We’re playing politics with it,” he told commissioners.

Nash praised Marta for its work with the commission on the contract that would have the authority take over operation of Gwinnett’s bus system “as soon as practical” if the referendum is approved by voters. It would also move forward with implementing the other modes of transit mentioned in the county’s newly adopted transit plan such as bus rapid transit.

If the referendum is approved March 19, collection of the penny sales tax would begin on July 1.

Marta’s board of directors was scheduled to sign off on the contract at its Thursday meeting. But the surprise news of delaying the referendum until March may delay that vote as well.