TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
SUBJECT: Parcel Tax Fiscal Oversight Committee
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 22-024 re-appointing Janet Abelson, Beverly Johnson and Matt Williams to a three-year term on the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Parcel Tax Fiscal Oversight Committee and authorize the District Secretary to conduct a recruitment to fill a vacancy for a three-year term commencing on September 1, 2022.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The Parcel Tax Fiscal Oversight Committee was first established as the Measure AA Oversight Committee in 2003 by the District’s Board of Directors. Although the Committee’s name has changed over time, its primary responsibility is to review the most recent fiscal year end annual audit to determine whether funds generated by District’s parcel tax measures have been expended in accordance with the intentions of the voters. In the interest of transparency, the Committee also provides a report of its findings (via a resolution) to the Board of Directors on an annual basis and its meetings are open to the public.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary/fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Parcel Tax Fiscal Oversight Committee is composed of seven community representatives who provide independent oversight of approximately $30 million in Measure VV/C1 parcel tax proceeds collected by the District in Special Transit Service District 1, which is comprised of the entire District except the Cities of Fremont and Newark. Members Abelson and Johnson have served on the Committee since 2003 and member Williams was appointed in 2017. All three are members in good standing and seek reappointment. The Committee generally meets once per year, and these are non-paid, volunteer positions. In 2021, with the resignation of two Committee members, an open public recruitment yielded the appointments of two new members who contribute significant knowledge of fiscal management and community involvement. To supplement this fresh perspective, and with the goal of fostering sound institutional knowledge and history of the Committee’s involvement in overseeing the annual audit related to the District’s parcel tax measures, it is recommended that the Board reappoint members Abelson, Johnson and Williams to serve an additional 3-year term.
Additionally, the District Secretary’s Office was recently informed that Michael Gregory would not seek reappointment to the Committee when his term expires at the end of August. With this resignation, the Committee will have a vacancy when the new term begins on September 1st. The District Secretary seeks authorization to conduct a formal recruitment to fill the vacancy beginning on June 15th with a closing date of July 15th. The recruitment notice and application will be posted on the District’s website and distributed twice via eNews subscription to approximately 17,000 subscribers including local government agencies, chambers of commerce and public libraries. The recruitment will be advertised on social media via the District’s social media accounts and will be emailed to local chapters of the League of Women Voters. As a requirement of the recruitment, prospective applicants will be required to live in Special District 1 and to submit 1) a letter of interest; 2) application; and 3) resume.
Staff supports and recommends the adoption of Resolution No. 22-024 to reappoint Janet Abelson, Beverly Johnson and Matt Williams, and requests authorization to commence a recruitment to fill one vacancy on the Committee.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of reappointing the existing members to the Committee is their knowledge, commitment, and service to the benefit of the taxpayers in Special District 1, which also supplements the diversity of thought given that there are three members of the Committee that are fairly new.
No disadvantages have been identified.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
Staff considered honoring the members’ term expiration on August 31st and conducting a recruitment to fill four vacancies, but given the traditionally low number in responsive applicants from previous efforts, the expertise required, and the existing member’s interest to serve the community, staff felt that the reappointment of the existing members was appropriate at this time.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Resolution No. 16-024 To Extend the Term of an Existing Parcel Tax Measure
Resolution No. 18-034 Appointing New Members and Implementing Staggered Three-Year Terms
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 22-024
2. Recruitment Flyer
Prepared by:
Jelena Harada, Assistant District Secretary
Approved/Reviewed by:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer