Meeting_Body
AD HOC BOARD COMPOSITION COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 23, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: GUIDING VALUES FOR AD HOC BOARD COMPOSITION COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE draft guiding values to support and inform the Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee’s deliberations regarding governance considerations.
Issue
ISSUE
As the Metro Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee considers governance-related issues in context created by Measure G, it is appropriate to identify guiding values that can frame and inform Committee deliberations. This report presents a set of potential values aligned with Metro’s mission, Strategic Plan, and adopted principles for the Ad Hoc Committee’s review and feedback.
Background
BACKGROUND
The passage of Measure G represents the most significant change to Los Angeles County governance. While Measure G does not apply to Metro and does not alter Metro’s governance structure, it has prompted broader discussions regarding governance alignment, accountability, and representation within the County.
Metro remains a separate legal entity governed by state statute, with responsibilities that include stewardship of countywide transportation revenues, oversight of long-term capital investments, and delivery of services to a diverse regional population. In this context, staff has identified a set of guiding values that may assist the Committee in framing its deliberations. These values are intended to provide a common framework for Committee deliberations and discussion.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
To frame the Committee’s discussion, the following draft Guiding Values are intended to help ground deliberations in shared principles that reflect Metro’s statutory role, regional responsibilities, and long-term obligations to riders and taxpayers. Together, they provide a values-based lens through which potential governance considerations can be evaluated.
Draft Guiding Values
• Legal Integrity - Governance changes shall maintain Metro’s status as an independent legal entity governed by state statute.
• Intergovernmental Balance - Metro should reflect a regional body that balances county, city, and state interests.
• Electoral Accountability - Governance should reflect clear accountability to countywide voters.
• Regional Equity - Board composition should reflect the geographic, demographic, and economic diversity of Los Angeles County.
• Transparency and Public Trust - Governance structures and any changes should be understandable, explainable, and defensible to the public.
• Fiscal Stewardship - Decision-making authority shall be grounded in responsibility for long-term fiscal risk, including budgets, debt, and capital programs, and shall not impose additional costs to and obligations on taxpayers.
• Functional Effectiveness - Governance should support stable oversight, institutional memory, and the Board’s ability to make timely, informed, and high-quality decisions, particularly for multi-decade investments and programs.
• Customer Experience - Governance should support decisions that prioritize customer experience, rider outcomes, and system performance.
• Adaptability - Governance structures should be resilient and flexible in response to future changes in county or regional governance.
These draft values are presented for the Committee’s consideration and feedback to ensure that future deliberations remain anchored in a clear, consistent, and mission-aligned framework.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This item is informational and does not propose changes to Metro governance, policies, or programs. The identification of guiding values that include regional equity, accountability, and customer experience supports Metro’s commitment to equitable outcomes by encouraging governance discussions that consider the diverse needs of communities and riders across Los Angeles County.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is not expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports Metro Strategic Plan goal 5 related to organizational excellence, customer focus, equity, and transparent governance by establishing shared values for Committee deliberations.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon receipt and filing of this report, the Ad Hoc Board Composition Committee may reference or consider adoption of these guiding values during future discussions.
Prepared by: Madeleine Moore, Deputy Executive Officer, Government
Relations, 213 922-4604
Marisa Perez, Deputy Chief, Community Relations, 213-922-3808
Reviewed by: Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, 213-922-7950
