The Orange County Transportation Authority is inviting Orange County residents to apply for positions on two public oversight committees that monitor the implementation of Measure M, the county’s half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements.
Measure M supports major transportation projects throughout Orange County, while also funding environmental programs and maintaining strict fiscal oversight. Participation on the committees allows community members to play a direct role in protecting public funds and safeguarding local environmental resources.
Taxpayer Oversight Committee
OCTA is also recruiting for the Taxpayer Oversight Committee, an 11-member panel responsible for monitoring how Measure M funds are spent. The transportation sales tax was renewed by voters in 2006 after its original approval in 1990.
The committee examines how local sales tax revenue is allocated to ensure funds are used exclusively for voter-approved transportation projects. Measure M is a long-term transportation strategy projected to generate approximately $13.2 billion through 2041. Of the total net funding, 43 percent is designated for freeway improvements, 32 percent for local street projects and 25 percent for transit services. The plan aims to maintain mobility in Orange County while reducing environmental impacts and supporting the region’s quality of life.
Recruitment for the committee is underway through May 3 for vacancies representing the Second and Third Supervisorial Districts. Interviews are scheduled to take place between May 11 and May 15. Selected applicants will serve a three-year term beginning in July 2026 and ending in June 2029.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of Orange County
- Live in the Supervisorial District they wish to represent
The Second District includes the cities of Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin, as well as portions of Anaheim and Garden Grove and the unincorporated community of North Tustin.
The Third District includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Villa Park and Yorba Linda; portions of Anaheim, Irvine, Orange and Tustin; the unincorporated communities of Modjeska, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon and Williams Canyon; and a portion of North Tustin.
Members of the Taxpayer Oversight Committee are selected by the Grand Jurors Association of Orange County. The organization has created a five-member Taxpayer Oversight Committee Selection Panel to oversee recruitment and evaluate candidates.
Following a review of applications and interviews, the panel recommends qualified individuals for appointment. Applications and additional details about the recruitment process are available at www.octa.net/TOCrecruitment.
Environmental Oversight Committee
OCTA is currently accepting applications to fill one vacancy on the Environmental Oversight Committee. The committee advises the OCTA Board of Directors and provides oversight of Measure M’s Environmental Mitigation Program.
The 12-member EOC oversees efforts to preserve and restore natural lands associated with transportation development. Through the environmental program funded by Measure M, the committee helps monitor the protection of approximately 1,300 acres of preserved open space and more than 350 acres of restored land across Orange County.
The Environmental Mitigation Program is designed to balance transportation improvements with environmental protection. The program focuses on preserving open space, restoring native habitats and ensuring long-term stewardship of conserved land throughout the county.
Committee members review mitigation program activities, funding allocations and land management strategies to confirm that environmental commitments are being met and taxpayer resources are used appropriately. The committee generally meets four times per year, and members serve three-year terms.
Members are expected to contribute roughly 12 hours annually to meetings and related duties. Applications, along with a resume, must be submitted by Friday, March 20. Additional information and application materials are available at octa.net/eoc.
