Mecklenburg County officials established a transit authority Monday. It will handle an estimated $19.4 billion in sales tax revenue over three decades. The Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority will manage projects funded by a one-cent sales tax hike that voters approved last November.
The board has 27 members. Representatives come from across the county, including the one commissioner who voted against the referendum. Voters approved the measure 52.1% to 47.9%.
County leaders said the selection process was transparent and deliberate, pointing to months of public meetings and community outreach before the vote…