Title
Remaining Appointments to Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Board
Action
Action:
Adopt a resolution appointing the remaining three members to the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Board as required by the PAVE Act.
Body
Council Resource
James Mitchell, Committee Chair, Ad Hoc Work Group
Staff Resource(s):
Marcus Jones, City Manager
Andrea Leslie-Fite, City Attorney
Stephanie Kelly, City Clerk’s Office
Explanation
§ Three additional appointments are necessary to complete the city’s appointments to the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA) Board.
§ The following individuals are nominated for appointment:
- Emma Allen, nominated by Council members Ajmera, Brown, Johnson, and Watlington.
- Juan Euvin, nominated by Council members Ajmera, Brown, and Johnson.
- Colette Forrest, nominated by Council members Brown and Johnson.
- Scott Harris, nominated by Council members Driggs and Peacock.
- Robert Hillman, nominated by Council members Anderson, Driggs, Mayfield, and Mitchell.
- Corine Mack, nominated by Council members Brown, Graham, and Johnson.
- William Cameron Pruette, nominated by Council members Ajmera, Anderson, and Brown.
- Sagar Rathie, nominated by Council members Ajmera and Peacock.
- James Scruggs, nominated by Council members Ajmera and Watlington.
- Tim Sittema, nominated by Council members Anderson, Brown, Driggs, Mitchell, and Peacock.
- Katrina Young, nominated by Council members Anderson, Graham, Mayfield, Mitchell, and Watlington.
Background
§ On July 1, 2025, the PAVE Act was enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly.
§ The PAVE Act authorizes 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-cent sales and use tax subject to approval of ballot referendum and establishing the MPTA.
§ The PAVE Act requires a governing body for the MPTA consisting of a 27-member board of trustees to be appointed before January 1, 2026. As the largest municipality in Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte has 12 appointments.
§ A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered between Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville outlining a process for appointment of members to the MPTA board.
§ Based on the framework set forth in the MOU, on September 26, 2025, the Mayor appointed an Ad Hoc Work Group to define a process and create an outline for City Council’s review and approval of nominations and recommendations for appointment to the MPTA board, pending voter approval of a ballot referendum.
§ On November 4, 2025, Mecklenburg County’s ballot referendum for a one-cent sales tax under the PAVE Act was approved by voters, authorizing the city to proceed with its 12 appointments to the MPTA board.
§ Under the Projects for Advancing Vehicle-Infrastructure Enhancements (PAVE) Act, the city must make 12 appointments to the MPTA.
§ At least three of these appointments must be made upon the recommendation of an entity that represents business interests in the county.
§ City Council has agreed to divide appointment powers for its appointments to the MPTA as follows:
- Council shall appoint two members based upon the recommendation of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance;
- Council shall appoint one member based upon the recommendation of the Foundation for the Carolinas; and
- Council shall appoint seven additional members:
§ One shall have experience owning or operating a small business as defined in the PAVE Act;
§ One shall be an individual who is otherwise qualified to serve on the MPTA board and who is also an active user of the current Charlotte Area Transit System with demonstrated public transportation system experience; and
- Council shall appoint two members based upon the recommendation of the Mayor.
§ On October 14, 2025, City Council received a list of all interested applicants for the city’s appointments to the MPTA board.
§ On October 20, 2025, Council requested recommendations from two other entities as required by the PAVE Act and outlined its proposed process, including questions and interviews of eligible candidates.
§ On November 17, 2025, Council made the following nine appointments to the MPTA Board:
- Five appointments to the MPTA board which represented the appointments based upon the recommendation of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Foundation for the Carolinas, and the Mayor; and
- Four appointments by City Council.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Resolution
Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority Applications