Atlanta Questions MARTA Over Possible $70M Overcharge

Wow, guys! We’ve got some seriously hot stuff to talk about. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, better known as MARTA, is in a bit of a pickle. Some big questions are arising about if MARTA owes Atlanta a whopping $70 million. That’s right, 70 million dollars!

MARTA vs Atlanta – The Round One Audit

Our city of Atlanta leaders just dropped an audit recently. This is not your normal, yawn-inducing audit, no sir! It drops a bombshell claiming that MARTA might have hit taxpayers with millions in overcharges. Services were reportedly promised but – gasp – never delivered! The audit firm behind this revelation? Mauldin and Jenkins, right from Cobb County.

All of this has got State Rep. Deborah Silcox, the watchdog (or chairwoman if you like) of MARTOC, all sorts of curious. MARTOC is the legislative body put in charge of keeping an eye on MARTA spending (someone’s got to do it!). Silcox isn’t sold on the audit. She’s calling for round two—another audit to double-check these figures.

MARTA’s Side of the Story

MARTA isn’t keeping quiet either. They’re admitting they goofed – but only to the tune of about $20 million. That’s only between 2020 and 2022. But the claim from Atlanta that MARTA owes 40 million smackaroos for expanded bus and train services from 2017-2019? MARTA wants a recount!

Silcox isn’t only concerned about the back-and-forth between MARTA and Atlanta. She’s definitely displeased with MARTA’s rebuttals not being included in the final audit report. She’s even questioning the formula used to land on the numbers in the first place. Silcox is on the case, and has the accounting firm KPMG lined up to perform audit number two which had she been promised by the end of August.

What’s Next for MARTA and Atlanta?

Silcox just wants a second opinion. ‘Not too much to ask for, right?’ is what you might think. She’s eager to see new numbers related to this whole situation and gain a fresh professional outlook.

In the meantime, Atlanta city administration isn’t backing down. A spokesperson for the city says, “The audit speaks for itself.” So, what’s new from MARTA? Mayor Dickens is eager to work things out with MARTA and get things running smoothly for the good people of Atlanta and the entire region.

As for the next steps, all we know for now is MARTOC will be taking a long hard look at all of this. And we, well, we’ll wait for the next episode of this audit drama to unfold. The big question still hanging: How long will it take KPMG to wrap up the second audit or review the initial findings?

Right now, this saga is giving us more questions than answers. So, grab your popcorn and stay tuned, Atlanta!