(ATLANTA, Ga.) — You may or may not recall the halfpenny TSPLOST measure that Atlanta voters approved back in 2016, but the Atlanta City Council definitely does. Monday, they approved legislation that would require a financial audit of the More MARTA program.

The resolution, which passed the city council with unanimous support, would audit the $2.7 billion program, including “all revenues and expenditures” associated. MARTA itself would not be allowed to participate, as the process would be done independently.

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Councilman Amir Farokhi said council members have been requesting information about the program for months, and have been frustrated by the transit agency’s response.

“We have received partial, but not full insight into More MARTA expenditures,” Farokhi said. “We have received changing stories on plan projects and timelines. There’s been a lack of clarity on how much of the halfpenny sales tax has been spent on bus service versus new capital projects.”

MARTA’s written response was critical of the decision. Calling the move “disappointing and disingenuous,” they contended that they have in fact answered all questions and been transparent in their decisionmaking, listing several audits that have already been performed in recent years.

An audit would require a temporary pause on all construction, further delaying projects.

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