Staff Report
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) has extended the deadline to Aug. 19 for North County residents to apply to serve on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
The committee oversees the ongoing investment of Measure A sales tax funds for high priority transportation projects and programs that address the current and future needs of Santa Barbara County. The committee is comprised of 11 members, including four from North County, four from South County and three at-large.
Deadline for applications has been extended by three weeks for North County applicants who live in Buellton, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Solvang and all unincorporated areas including Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and New Cuyama.
The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is made up of a balance of transportation users who represent geographic, social, cultural and economic interests in the county.
Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed for additional terms at the discretion of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. As determined by the committee, they meet as needed or one to three times a year.
The committee is responsible for annually submitting comments to the SBCAG Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements and voter mandates as outlined by Measure A’s Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.
Transportation improvement projects funded in North County include widening the Highway 101 Santa Maria River Bridge; passing lanes on Highway 246 between Lompoc and Buellton; safety improvements on Highway 166; new freeway interchanges in Santa Maria and Orcutt; and circulation improvements for Buellton, Guadalupe and Solvang.
Funding is also allocated for specialized transit for the elderly and disabled, improved transit service between communities, safe routes to school and bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Applications are available on the SBCAG website www.sbcag.org/news or by contacting Lauren Bianchi Klemann, government affairs and public information manager by email atlbianchiklemann@sbcag.org or telephone, 805-961-8900.
Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara County on Nov. 4, 2008, with 79% voter support, a 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 through 2040.
SBCAG’s Board of Directors appointed a Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee to help ensure accountability to voters regarding the expenditure of funds.
Find more information about Measure A at www.measurea.net.
