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Eight years ago, city of Atlanta voters approved a fund for the expansion of the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) system. Called the More MARTA program, the expansion was expected to unfold over a forty-year period, greatly increasing the current – more or less – plus sign footprint that is the current MARTA system. Eight years in and there is not a lot of evidence for the extent of the expansion. The city council started to get anxious and called for an audit back in March. In June, an auditor was engaged and their report was released this week. 

According to the city, MARTA and Atlanta reached a consensus on the scope of the work and the choice of Mauldin and Jenkins as auditors. The biggest headline from the audit is that the More MARTA program is about $70 million short, and this money was diverted to cover other MARTA expenditures. 

“Well, we were right,” said Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi. “The audit shows that MARTA misspent $70M that were to be used for “More MARTA” transit expansion/enhancement but were used for other purposes. Return of these funds should boost More MARTA project completion.” 

For their part, MARTA disputes much of the audit’s report. “Mauldin & Jenkins’ calculations are wrong. They used a flawed methodology by applying a COVID-based formula to reverse engineer what they believe should have been charged for bus service in 2017, 2018 and 2019, resulting in false calculations. MARTA charged for the cost of actual bus service during those years and the city officials then in charge were aware of the costs, as the minutes of monthly meetings prove.” 

Not a lot of nuance there. Someone is just wrong, and this issue could quietly go away when that answer is found. Or perhaps someone is lying. Stranger things have happened. MARTA went further, with General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood calling for a restructuring of the More MARTA agreement. 

“The agreement should be restructured for greater clarity and efficiency to minimize the impact of shifting political dynamics between and during an administration,” said Greenwood. “As the recipient of the sales tax responsible for delivering the program, it is critical that MARTA have stability and certainty in the decision-making process for the program to be successful. Reducing ancillary agreements and ensuring a clear, consistent framework will support better business, financial planning, and overall success of the program.” 

Back when the city council called for the audit in March, Farokhi noted “This is a 40-year partnership that needs full trust.” 

Trust is likely pretty thin right now. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is now in discussions with Greenwood, and likely a slew of attorneys along with the respective CFOs, to discuss options for a path forward. One thing is for sure, the attorneys will come out okay. 

The full, 105-page audit is available for those so inclined or accountants and auditors that really have no other hobbies.