Staff Report

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is looking for individuals to fill three vacancies on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee provides accountability for the expenditure of an estimated $1 billion of Measure A, voter-mandated, high priority transportation projects and programs in Santa Barbara County.

Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16.

People who serve on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee are a part of regional transportation efforts to relieve traffic congestion and improve public safety. Those who represent diverse transportation, geographic, social, cultural, and economic interests in the county are encouraged to apply.

The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is comprised of 11 community leaders who represent North County, South Coast and the region at-large. Two vacancies must be filled by individuals who live in Buellton; Guadalupe; Lompoc; Santa Maria; Solvang; or the unincorporated areas of Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and New Cuyama.

Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed to additional terms at the discretion of the SBCAG Board of Directors. The committee conducts meetings one to three times a year, and annually submits comments to the SBCAG Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements, and voter mandates as outlined by the Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.

The Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance provides an estimated $140 million in matching funds to make local and U.S. highway 101 multimodal improvements from Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals.

The plan also provides an estimated $455 million each in North County and South Coast for transit projects and programs to build safer walking and bike routes to schools, increase senior and disabled accessibility to public transit, increase options for carpool and vanpool programs, as well as local street improvements like pothole repairs and synchronized traffic signals.

To apply, download and complete the application at www.sbcag.org/news. Alternatively, applicants may request a form from Lauren Bianchi Klemann, SBCAG’s government affairs and public information manager, atlbianchiklemann@sbcag.org or 805-961-8900.

SBCAG administers Measure A according to strict accountability provisions including annual independent financial audits and public review of expenditures by the Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee. For more about Measure A, visit www.measurea.net.

On Nov. 4, 2008, Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara county with 79% voter support, a one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Measure A is administered by SBCAG and is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects and programs through 2040.