Measure M is the half-cent transportation sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and renewed again by voters in 2006. The combined measures raise the sales tax by one-half cent in Orange County for a total period of 50 years to help alleviate traffic congestion. This money is administered by OCTA and pays for local, voter-approved transportation projects for freeway improvements, local street and road improvements and rail and transit programs specified in the plan.
Measure M requires that an independent Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC) ensure the integrity of the Measure by acting as watchdog over the expenditures specified in the transportation ordinance and plan.
Committee Membership
The committee is made up of eleven members: two members from each supervisorial district and the Auditor-Controller who serves as chairman of the committee. Each member, with the exception of the Auditor-Controller, is appointed for a term of three years. However, any member appointed to replace a member who has resigned or been removed will serve only the balance of such member’s unexpired term, and no person shall serve as a member for a period in excess of six consecutive years.
As mandated by the Ordinance, the Grand Jurors Association of Orange County Oversight Committee Selection Panel is under contract to solicit, collect, review applications from potential candidates and recommend finalists for membership on the committee.
Duties and Responsibilities
The committee is responsible for the following duties:
- Ensure all transportation revenue collected from Measure M is spent on the projects approved by the voters as part of the Plan.
- Approve, by a vote of not less than two thirds of all committee members, any amendment to the Plan proposed by the Authority which changes the funding categories, programs or projects identified in the Plan.
- Participate in ensuring that all jurisdictions in Orange County conform with the requirements of Measure M before receipt of any tax monies for local projects.
- Receive and review the following documents submitted by each eligible jurisdiction:
- Congestion Management Program
- Mitigation Fee Program
- Expenditure Report
- Local Traffic Signal Synchronization Plan; and
- Pavement Management Plan
- Review yearly audits and hold an annual public hearing to determine if the Authority is proceeding in accordance with the Plan.
- Receive and review the performance assessment conducted by the Authority at least once every three years to review the performance of the Authority in carrying out the purposes of the ordinance.
- Contract, through the Authority, for independent analysis or examination of issues within the committee’s purview or for other assistance as necessary.
- Annually certify whether Measure M funds have been spent in compliance with the Plan.
Transition from the Citizens Oversight Committee to the Taxpayers Oversight Committee
Measure M Ordinance No. 2, approved by voters in 1990, called for a Citizens Oversight Committee (COC). The COC began meeting in January 1991 and met through June 2007. The Renewed Measure M Ordinance No. 3 (Ordinance No. 3) called for the Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) to be transformed into the Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC). In August 2007, the TOC assumed the role of the COC and has essentially the same make-up and basic responsibilities, except with the two additional members.
Subcommittees
There are two subcommittee to help the TOC fulfill its responsibilities.
The Audit Subcommittee focuses its efforts on reviewing the results of the annual financial of Measure M and the Measure M Quarterly Revenue and Expenditure Report, as well as other reports related to the financial aspects of Measure M.
The Growth Management Subcommittee reviews the growth management plans for each local jurisdiction to determine if the plan prepared and certified by each jurisdiction includes the elements specified in the countywide Growth Management Program. When the TOC has determined that a jurisdiction’s Growth Management checklist has been fulfilled, and the requirements of the Policy Resolutions and the Ordinance have been met, the TOC forwards its findings to the OCTA; only then may the OCTA allocate Retail Tax Revenues to the jurisdiction pursuant to the Ordinance.
Each subcommittee forwards its findings to the full committee for approval and then on to the OCTA Board.
Who are the TOC Subcommittee Members?
Audit Subcommittee
David Sundstrom, Chairman
Rose Coffin
James Kelly
Narinder Mahal
Frederick von Coelin
Growth Management Subcommittee
Richard Gann
Gilbert Ishizu
Charles Smith