MIDDLETON, Wis. -- The hot-button issue of a proposed commuter rail system was the subject of a public meeting in Middleton on Monday night.

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The Transport 2020 meeting at Middleton City Hall was the first of three public meetings planned for several weeks to discuss where the proposed project stands. It's even more important in light of Gov. Jim Doyle's recent proposed budget and the influx of federal economic stimulus dollars.

Prior to the meeting, Transport 2020 officials said that there were a number of topics up for discussion, including the possible formation of a regional transit authority in Dane County.

Once the meeting had begun, area residents sounded off at the packed meeting. The discussions were politically charged, with residents passionate about the future of two things: taxes and transit.

After an explanation from the county Transport 2020 committee, residents launched into a heated debate over what people should ride or drive. Much of the evening's discussion centered on commuter rail -- a $250 million investment the county tried to start engineering last summer.

"I've never talked to anyone who would ride a rail system and it absolutely doesn't make any sense to me," said Don Johnson, of Blue Mounds.

"I think Dane County needs a balanced and rational transportation system, and I believe commuter rail is the most viable mode of transportation in the county," said John McDermott, of Madison.

"Sure, right now it doesn't look economically like its a great idea. But lots of things don't look like a great idea in the short run but in the long run, it does make sense," said Nathan Timm, of Mazomanie.

"I think for the handful of people that use it, it costs way too much money," said Dawn-Marie Zimmerman, of Madison.

While a regional transit authority would pay for more than just rail, the debate is also over whether a half-cent sales tax is appropriate right now.

"I think it is catawampus to say that, 'Oh, we're spending tax dollars on this, scary, but then not looking at what you spend on roads,'" said Steve Books, of Mount Horeb. "Roads have cost more than what this is."

"I absolutely will fight till I move out of the city not to allow a taxing authority to this RTA group, no way," said Larry Smith, of Madison.

Supporters' efforts to launch the rail project last year stalled when their federal application was denied, partially because there was no funding source. County officials are hoping to apply again, should a regional transit authority be approved by county voters.

Before the meeting, Dane County Board chairman Scott McDonell said the project will be able to piggy back some on the proposed Madison to Milwaukee Amtrak line, which is likely to get stimulus dollars.

"It's a green project," he said. "It really tries to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It allows people options to get by with one car."

McDonell said officials will still take the project to a referendum despite the fact that they don't have to.

The governor's budget proposal last week gives approval for a regional transit authority. It's a hurdle supporters have been trying to overcome, but the funding wouldn't be using economic stimulus dollars from the federal government because the project is simply not "shovel ready," which was one of the presidential requirements, WISC-TV reported.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk have both been champions of commuter rail. While this meeting was planned for some time, an RTA could be on the fast-track to a referendum. The governor's proposed budget includes a provision allowing Dane County to create an RTA with local approval.

There are two more informational discussions planned in the county on the subject, Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Stoughton City Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Monday, March 2, at the DeForest Area Community Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.