San Diego County CA—On Friday, June 28, the SANDAG Board of Directors received a presentation on the annual report from the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (ITOC).
The ITOC 2019 Annual Report discusses the results of the annual FY 2018 TransNet Fiscal and Compliance Audit and a progress update on implementation of recommendations from the FY 2018 TransNet Triennial Performance Audit.
The annual fiscal audit is required by the TransNet Extension Ordinance, and concluded that most agencies that receive TransNet funds are in compliance with the major provisions required by the Ordinance. All the expenditures reported by recipient agencies last year were allowable under the TransNet Ordinance, and each recipient agency recorded their revenues and accounted for TransNet activities as required per the TransNet Extension Ordinance. Additionally, SANDAG appropriately allocated revenues – at least 70 percent for congestion relief and up to 30 percent for maintenance.
Last year, the FY 2018 TransNet Triennial Performance Audit included 26 recommendations to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the TransNet Program to the region’s taxpayers. The 2019 ITOC Annual Report shows that SANDAG has completed five of the 26 recommendations:

• Implementation of a “Plan of Excellence” and a 7-point Data Accuracy and Modeling Work Plan to reduce the potential for data errors
• Modifications to clarify staff reports for the SANDAG Board and other oversight committees
• Improvements to project management practices and the delivery of Bike Early Action Program projects
• Establishing a new Memorandum of Agreement with Caltrans, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Ensuring additional data on completed projects is maintained in the TransNet dashboard

SANDAG also has made progress on recommendations to enhance the Plan of Finance process and the information the agency provides to decision makers, and to establish a performance framework for TransNet.
In addition to discussing its audit findings, the ITOC report shows that TransNet funding between FY 2019 and FY 2023 is expected to focus on improvements to major corridors and local streets, as displayed by the graphic on the right.
ITOC will meet on Wednesday, July 10 at 9:30 a.m. to select the Chair and Vice Chair for FY 2020 and hear updates about several TransNet-funded projects.
The committee meets every month to discuss ongoing TransNet priorities and projects, and to provide feedback to the SANDAG Board of Directors. Joining the ITOC is Michael Kenney, who was appointed following a selection process to fill a vacant seat. The Committee is comprised of seven professionals with different specified areas of expertise. Kenney is serving in the ITOC position for a licensed architect or civil/traffic engineer with experience in transportation and/or urban design. Michael is a Civil and Traffic Engineer with more than 28 years of experience. He has worked for both private and public entities and has served as City Traffic Engineer for several cities. ITOC members are chosen by a Selection Committee composed of a panel of city mayors and county supervisors.

About ITOC

The TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee aids in the implementation of the TransNet program, the San Diego region’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. With the passage of the TransNet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan in November 2004 (Proposition A), it was mandated in the Ordinance that an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee for TransNet be formed to provide an enhanced level of accountability for the expenditure of funds under the Expenditure Plan. The Committee helps ensure that all voter mandates are carried out as required and develops recommendations for improvements to the financial integrity and performance of TransNet.

About SANDAG

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the San Diego region’s primary public planning, transportation, and research agency, providing the public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation planning and construction, environmental management, housing, open space, energy, public safety, and binational topics. SANDAG is governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors, council members, and supervisors from each of the region’s 18 cities and the county government.

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