Title
Amendment to Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization Memorandum of Understanding
Action
Action:
Authorize the Mayor to execute an amended Memorandum of Understanding for the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization to remove the Metropolitan Transit Commission and add the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority as a member.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Liz Babson, City Manager’s Office
Monica Holmes, Planning, Design, and Development
Robert Cook, Planning, Design, and Development
Explanation
§ The City of Charlotte is the lead planning agency for the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Charlotte urban area.
§ The City of Charlotte is one of 21 municipalities, three counties, two North Carolina Board of Transportation seats, and a transit policy board- the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), that have representation on the CRTPO Policy Board, which is responsible for carrying out the metropolitan planning process as specified in federal statutes. Federal regulations that govern MPOs require public transit agencies to have representation on MPO Policy Boards.
§ The CRTPO’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the governing document for the organization that guides the cooperative, comprehensive, and continuing transportation planning process for the planning area.
§ Consistent with the Projects for Advancing Vehicle-Infrastructure Enhancements (PAVE) Act, which requires the termination of the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement and the dissolution of the MTC by July 1, 2026, City Council adopted a resolution and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute all documents necessary to complete the Termination Agreement for the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement on April 27, 2026.
§ Following the dissolution of the MTC, the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA) will be the public transit agency and will take its place as a voting member with one weighted vote.
§ The CRTPO Board received information at their May 20, 2026, meeting, and approved this amendment at their June 17, 2026, meeting.
§ Action is requested of all 27 voting members of the CRPTO Board to authorize their Mayor or Chief Elected Official to execute an amended MOU to reflect this change.
§ The North Carolina Governor must execute the revised MOU before it can be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration to be considered the current MOU. Following execution of the amended MOU by the Governor or his designee, the MPTA will have voting privileges.
Background
§ On July 1, 2025, the PAVE Act was enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly. The PAVE Act authorized Mecklenburg County to obtain an additional source of revenue to expand and improve roadway systems and public transportation for the Mecklenburg County region by assessing a one-percent local sales and use tax subject to voter approval.
§ On November 4, 2025, Mecklenburg County voters approved the one-percent local sales tax referendum as outlined by the PAVE Act.
§ On December 2, 2025, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to levy the one-percent local sales tax effective July 1, 2026.
§ On December 18, 2025, the inaugural MPTA Board Meeting was held, oaths of office were administered to the Board of Trustees, and Board positions were elected.
§ On March 25, 2026, the MTC discussed the termination of the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement and dissolution of the MTC and requested all voting members (except the North Carolina Department of Transportation) present a resolution to their respective boards for adoption in advance of July 1, 2026.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Revised CRTPO MOU
Memorandum to CRTPO Explaining Changes