Measure M Taxpayer Oversight and Citizens Advisory committees oversee transportation funding and programs
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on two vital public committees that review OCTA programs and monitor funding to help ensure that OCTA continues efficiently delivering on its promise to keep Orange County moving.
The committees are the Taxpayer Oversight Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee. The deadline to apply for openings on each committee is quickly approaching, with applications due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1.
Taxpayer Oversight Committee
The Taxpayer Oversight Committee is an 11-member committee that monitors OCTA’s use of Measure M funds, also known as OC Go. The half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements was first passed by voters in 1990 and renewed in 2006.
Positions on the committee are open in the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts of Orange County.
The committee ensures that all revenue collected is spent on voter-approved transportation projects. The projects have helped improve and preserve Orange County’s quality of life, keeping people moving and enhancing the environment.
Through the Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program and the Environmental Cleanup Program, OCTA has helped restore habitats, protect endangered species, and improve water quality by removing litter and debris from roadways and storm drains.
The local sales tax funding has also been a crucial part in the development of community bus shuttles, trolleys, and the new OC Streetcar. These alternate transportation options complement OCTA’s regular bus service and provide convenient ways for riders to get to their destinations more quickly.
OC Go funding is divided into three categories, with 43 percent going to freeway improvements, 32 percent to local road projects and 25 percent to transit.
Applications for a 3-year committee term (2018 through 2021) will be accepted through May 1. Applicants must be Orange County residents who live in either the First, Second, Fourth or Fifth District that they will represent.
The First District consists of the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster, portions of Fountain Valley, and the unincorporated community of Midway City.
The Second District consists of the cities of Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley.
The Fourth District consists of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia and portions of Buena Park.
The Fifth District consists of the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, portions of Irvine, and the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Wagon Wheel.
Applications are available at octa.net/TOC.
Citizens Advisory Committee
The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is a 34-member group that provides input on a range of transportation projects, studies and outreach activities.
Appointed by OCTA’s Board of Directors, the CAC’s responsibilities include identifying opportunities for community input, serving as a liaison between the public and OCTA, and participating in roundtable discussions.
OCTA is seeking individuals with a demonstrated interest in community activities and transportation issues who are willing to dedicate at least 15 hours per year to meetings and activities.
This is an unpaid volunteer position and CAC members are asked to commit to a two-year term. Candidates must be at least 18 and live in Orange County.
Applications are available at octa.net/CAC.
The OCTA Board of Directors is expected to select the members of each committee by the end of June.
