Applications to fill three vacancies will be accepted until August 16

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) seeks interested individuals to fill three vacancies on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The committee provides important accountability for the expenditure of an estimated $1 billion of Measure A, voter-mandated, high priority transportation projects and programs throughout Santa Barbara County.

People who serve on the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee are a part of regional transportation efforts to relieve traffic congestion and improve public safety. Those who represent diverse transportation, geographic, social, cultural, and economic interests in the county are encouraged to apply.

The Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee is comprised of 11 community leaders who represent North County, South Coast and the region “at-large.” Two vacancies must be filled by individuals who live in Buellton; Guadalupe; Lompoc; Santa Maria; Solvang; or the unincorporated areas of Orcutt, Vandenberg Village, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and New Cuyama.

Appointed members serve four-year terms and can be reappointed to additional terms at the discretion of the SBCAG Board of Directors. The Committee conducts meetings one to three times a year and annually submits comments to the SBCAG Board of Directors on whether the provisions, requirements, and voter mandates as outlined by the Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance have been properly carried out.

The Measure A Investment Plan and Ordinance provides an estimated $140 million in matching funds to make local and U.S. highway 101 multimodal improvements from Santa Barbara to Mussel Shoals. The plan also provides an estimated $455 million each in North County and South Coast for transportation projects and programs to build safer walking and bike routes to schools, increase senior and disabled accessibility to public transit, increase options for carpool and vanpool programs as well as local street improvements such as pothole repairs and synchronized traffic signals.

To apply, individuals are encouraged to download and complete the application by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 16, 2021. The application is available on the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments website at www.sbcag.org/news. Alternatively, interested individuals may request an application from Lauren Bianchi Klemann, SBCAG’s government affairs and public information manager, at lbianchiklemann@sbcag.org or (805) 961-8900.

SBCAG administers Measure A according to strict accountability provisions including annual independent financial audits and public review of expenditures by the Measure A Citizen’s Oversight Committee.

More information about Measure A is available on the measure’s website at www.measurea.net.

ABOUT MEASURE A:

On November 4, 2008, Measure A was approved in Santa Barbara county with 79% voter support, a one-half of one percent (1/2%) sales tax for transportation projects and programs over 30 years. Measure A is administered by Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and it is estimated to provide more than $1 billion of local investment in transportation projects and programs through 2040.

The Santa Barbara County Registrar of Voters office is seeking volunteers to serve as poll workers for the September 14 California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Community participation is always essential to staffing the precincts and polling places for the election. With this election taking place on such a short schedule, the Elections Office has less time than usual to recruit poll workers. Please consider applying to be a poll worker today!

Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Registrar of Voters said people should volunteer because, “poll workers are on the frontline of democracy; without them voting does not happen.”

Poll workers who work at a polling place receive a stipend of $180 to $240 for Election Day and to attend training. Each polling place is led by a Polling Place Supervisor who oversees one or more Precinct Boards. Each Precinct Board is comprised of one Inspector and two Clerks. In addition, each polling place will need a Traffic Clerk and Ballot Reception Clerk. 

To be a poll worker, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a registered voter in the State of California or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, as specified, and who is otherwise eligible to register to vote, except for their lack of United States citizenship.
• Be able to follow written and verbal instruction.
• Be available to serve Election Day – September 14 – from approximately 6 a.m. to
  9 p.m. or until all of the closing procedures have been completed.
• Must be available to attend a mandatory training class.

Howard Hudson volunteers as a poll worker and as an Adopt-A-Poll organizer for the Santa Barbara Host Lions Club because he wants to be a part of the democratic process. Hudson said, “I feel that as a citizen I am obligated to do what I can to help with the process and I encourage others to get involved and participate. Election Day is busy, but rewarding and I get to meet others supporting our democratic process and right to vote.” 

To learn more about the poll worker program and training process, please go to https://countyofsb.org/care/elections/officers/information.sbc.