Applications Open for Residents to Serve on Proposed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority

A skyline shot of uptown Charlotte taken on a sunny day (July 28, 2025).

Ahead of November’s countywide referendum on raising the sales tax by 1% for transportation projects, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has authorized the formation of a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA).

While the activation of the MPTA will rest on the outcome of the Nov. 4 referendum, applications for appointees are being accepted through Oct. 13. Members of the MPTA would be appointed by the government bodies with stakes in the transportation system: Mecklenburg County (six), City of Charlotte (12), Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (one each), N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore (one) N.C. Speaker of the House (one) and the Office of the N.C. Governor (one). Applicants must reside in Mecklenburg County to qualify for an appointment.

Apply: Interested residents can apply through the Mecklenburg County Clerk’s office. The application portal for Mecklenburg County and other stakeholders with appointments can be accessed at MeckNC.gov.

County Commissioners approved the placement of the countywide referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot following the enactment of N.C. House Bill 948—aka the PAVE Act—which permits the local referendum. If the 1% increase in sales tax is approved by Mecklenburg County voters, the additional revenue would be dedicated to transportation projects, such as roads, rail, and buses, and simultaneously creating the Mecklenburg Public Transportation Authority.

The MPTA would finance, provide, operate, and maintain for a safe, clean, reliable, adequate, convenient, energy-efficient, economically, and environmentally sound public transportation system for its service area. Members will accomplish these goals through the granting of franchises, ownership, and leasing of terminals, buses, and other transportation facilities and equipment, as well as through the exercise of other granted powers and duties in order to enhance mobility in the region and encourage sound growth patterns.

Details: For more information on the MPTA application process, residents can contact the office of Mecklenburg County’s Clerk to the Board.

Visit BOCC.MeckNC.gov/Clerk

Call 980-314-2939

Email [email protected]