Focus of committee is to ensure accountability of high priority transportation projects throughout Santa Barbara county
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments has extended the deadline to recruit for two North County candidates to serve on a committee of community leaders, a part of 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.” The deadline for applications has been extended by three weeks to Wednesday, August 19 for North County applicants who live in the communities of 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 that 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 Santa Barbara County Association of Governments 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.
Two North County positions are open for consideration of an appointment by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors. The application period has been extended to August 19, 2020 and available for download or by contacting Lauren Bianchi Klemann, Government Affairs and Public Information Manager by email at lbianchiklemann@sbcag.org or telephone at: (805) 961-8900.
On November 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 Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and it is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects through 2040. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Board of Directors appointed a Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee to help ensure accountability to voters regarding the expenditure of funds.
More information about Measure A is available on the measure’s website at www.measurea.net.
| measure_a_citizens_oversight_committee_application_2020_fillable.pdf |
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