Woodard Community Resource Center

Dec. 18. Tonight marks the first meeting of the newly created Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority, formed following voter approval of a sales tax increase to help fund transportation projects.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Valerie Woodard Conference Center, 3205 Freedom Drive, in Charlotte.

The new total sales tax rate of 8.5% will take effect July 1, 2026. The MPTA will be responsible for the operation and oversight of revenue generated by the tax.

Menzel

The MPTA’s 27 members are Mecklenburg County residents appointed by leaders from Mecklenburg County (six), the city of Charlotte (12), the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville (one each), the N.C. Senate president pro tempore (one), the N.C. House speaker (one), and the governor’s office (one).

Bob Menzel, a member of The Peninsula Property Owners Association, serves as Cornelius’ representative on the board. Lou Raymond, of Pumila Court and chair of the town’s Transportation Advisory Board, is his alternate.

The agenda includes the oaths of office, rules of order, term selection, officer elections and adoption of the PAVE Studies Report. The inaugural meeting can be viewed live on Meck TV at Watch.MeckNC.gov.