The Board of Directors names new members to the Taxpayer Oversight Committee for the next three years and provides resolutions of appreciation to the Teen Council, two of four public OCTA committees
ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors has named four new members to the Taxpayer Oversight Committee and recognized the contributions of members of this year’s Teen Council.
The committees are two of four OCTA committees with public members that help the agency keep Orange County moving safely and efficiently.
The Taxpayer Oversight Committee, an 11-member independent committee of public members, ensures that funds collected through Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements, are being spent as intended. Last month, the TOC conducted its annual hearing and determined for the 33rd consecutive year that the funds are being allocated as promised to voters who approved the tax in 1991 and overwhelmingly renewed it in 2006.
The newly appointed members of the Taxpayer Oversight Committee selected at the June 24 OCTA Board meeting to represent their respective Orange County Supervisorial Districts, are:
- Clayton King, of Huntington Beach, District 1
- James Fuchs, of Santa Ana, District 2
- James Evans, of Brea, District 4
- Robert Dorneman, of Dana Point, District 5
The TOC meets quarterly at the OCTA offices in Orange. To learn more information about their responsibilities, agendas, reports, current members, recruitment, public hearings and subcommittees visit: www.octa.net/toc.
OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson at the most recent Board meeting also presented the outgoing members of the Teen Council with certificates of appreciation for the work they did throughout the academic year providing valuable insights from a youth perspective while learning about transportation in Orange County.
Members of OCTA’s Teen Council are recognized for their contributions by OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson and the OCTA Board of Directors behind them at the Board meeting on June 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of OCTA.
Teen Council is made up of high school students and meets once every other month to discuss a variety of topics related to transportation decisions in Orange County, including transportation planning, funding, legislation, environmental equity and impact, marketing, ridesharing and various transit modes.
They share insight on emerging transportation trends and improve their own leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills. They also engage in discussions, exchange ideas and participate in projects and community service. The next selected Teen Council will begin meeting in the fall semester.
For more information on OCTA’s Teen Council, visit: www.octa.net/teencouncil.
These groups are two of the four opportunities to serve on a public committee at OCTA. Other opportunities to provide individual perspectives and ensure all viewpoints are being considered include:
Citizens Advisory Committee – The CAC participates in helping examine traffic solutions, providing input to OCTA’s transportation studies and communicating with others in their community. Committee members are asked to participate in roundtable discussions and hear special presentations on various
transportation projects, programs and services. Major responsibilities include:- Identifying opportunities for community input.
- Recommending mechanisms and methodologies for obtaining public opinion on specific transportation issues.
- Serving as a liaison between the public and OCTA.
- Commenting on significant transportation issues and suggesting possible solutions.
Accessible Transit Advisory Committee – The ATAC advises OCTA about issues that relate to OCTA transit and paratransit services for customers with special transportation needs. The Accessible Transit Advisory Committee was originally formed in 1992 in response to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Selected by the OCTA Board of Directors, the ATAC is composed of 34 members representing a broad base of individuals with disabilities and senior citizens in the county. Successful candidates demonstrate interest and involvement with people with special needs and senior citizens; are members of a large, active OCTA constituency group (i.e. Braille Institute, senior centers); and are willing to dedicate no fewer than eight hours a year to OCTA meetings and activities. This recruitment process typically takes place late winter/early spring with final selection in June.
Major responsibilities include:
- Advising OCTA about issues that relate to OCTA transit and paratransit services.
- Recommending the appropriate mechanism for obtaining disabled and senior service users’ input on issues, i.e., focus groups, surveys, public meetings, et cetera.
- Communicating with care providers and agency clients regarding service-related information.
- Assisting with special needs service evaluations.
For more information about these committees, visit: www.octa.net/publiccommittees.
