Meeting_Body
MEASURE M INDEPENDENT TAXPAYER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 5, 2023
Subject
SUBJECT: FINDINGS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE MEASURE M PROGRAM
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the findings and/or recommendations to improve the Measure M program made by the Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
Measure M, also known as the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan Ordinance, establishes an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee and an oversight process to ensure that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) complies with the terms of the Ordinance. The Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (MMITOC) provides an enhanced level of accountability for expenditures of sales tax revenues made under the Expenditure Plan and plays a valuable and constructive role in the ongoing improvement and enhancement of project delivery contemplated under the Measure M Ordinance.
The MMITOC provides quarterly review of Measure M implementation, including revenue generation and expenditures across subfunds and investment categories. In addition, a critical oversight role for the MMITOC is within the Measure M Five Year Comprehensive Program Assessment process, as directed by the Measure M Ordinance and Guidelines. This role includes review of the Five‐Year Comprehensive Program Assessment and to make findings and/or provide recommendations for improving the overall Measure M program. Per the Ordinance and Guidelines, results of the Committee’s review shall be presented to the Metro Board of Directors as part of Board adoption of the Comprehensive Program Assessment. The Five-Year Assessment presents an interim look at Measure M’s progress and an opportunity to continue successful strategies and identify efforts that may need new direction.
Background
BACKGROUND
In late 2022, the MMITOC worked with Metro staff to develop proposed objectives and criteria for the Five-Year Assessment, per the Measure M Ordinance and Guidelines. The Assessment is organized by the five objectives approved by the Metro Board in February 2023:
• Assess the performance on the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy in the delivery of Measure M projects and programs
• Identify and evaluate any potential barriers in delivery of the Expenditure Plan
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for process improvements
• Identify and evaluate best practices
• Identify and evaluate any organizational changes needed to improve coordination
In compliance with Measure M Ordinance and Guidelines, staff and the project consultant team presented a summary of assessments and recommendations from the Five-Year Assessment at the September 2023 quarterly MMITOC meeting. During the subsequent committee discussion MMITOC members opted to delay making findings and/or recommendations to improve the overall Measure M program, by no less than 30 days, to have additional time to review the Five-Year Assessment and provide feedback. At that meeting MMITOC delayed making findings and/or recommendations for improving the Measure M Program to a Special Meeting scheduled for October 5, 2023.
Over the five-year period, the MMITOC has been presented with numerous staff presentations on quarterly basis, providing information covering the use of Measure M funds on local return, Transit and Highway Capital projects, the Active Transportation Program, State of Good Repair efforts, transit operating and maintenance, as well as Metro budget priorities.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The MMITOC plays a significant role in Measure M implementation, representing taxpayers and overseeing the responsible stewardship of Measure M taxpayer revenue dollars. and the importance of the feedback they provide. While these efforts primarily occur during quarterly meetings, responding to staff updates and presentation, the Five-Year Assessment presents a unique opportunity for the MMITOC to: a) review an interim assessment and subsequent recommendations to advance successful implementation of Measure M, and b) provide independent findings and/or recommendations from the committee to improve the Measure M program.
Staff accommodated the MMITOC decision to utilize additional time to review the Five-Year Assessment and solicited feedback from MMITOC members to provide findings and/or recommendations to improve the Measure M program ahead of the October 5 Special Meeting. Individual MMITOC member findings and recommendations were then compiled and are included within Attachment A for discussion and consideration by the MMITOC. These findings and recommendations serve as foundation for final committee findings and/or recommendations to improve the overall Measure M program.
Final MMITOC findings and/or recommendations will be presented to the Metro Board as part of the adoption of the Five-Year Assessment.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
MMITOC findings and/or recommendations to improve the Measure M Program will be included when the Assessment is presented to the Metro Board in accordance with the Measure M Ordinance and Guidelines.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - MMITOC Individual Member Findings and Recommendations
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Naomi Iwasaki, Senior Director, (213) 922-3085
KeAndra Cylear Dodds, Executive Officer, (213) 922-4850
Lauren Choi, Senior Director, Audit, (213) 922-3926
Monica Del Toro, Senior Manager, Audit, (213) 922-7494
Kimberly Houston, Deputy Chief Auditor, (213) 922-4720
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Sharon Gookin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, (213) 418-3101
Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, (213) 922-7950