Background

The Measure M2 (M2) Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC), formerly known also as OC Go, is required by the Renewed M2 Ordinance No. 3 (M2 Ordinance). The TOC is an independent committee representing all five supervisorial districts in the County and is responsible for ensuring the transportation projects in M2 are implemented according to the M2 Investment Plan, approved by the voters. The 11-member committee has a balanced representation of all supervisorial districts, with ten private citizens plus the Orange County Auditor-Controller who is the Chairperson. The TOC meets bimonthly to review progress on the implementation of the M2 program.

Each year, as terms of appointed members on the TOC end, a recruitment process is conducted to fill vacancies.

As outlined in the M2 Ordinance, the recruitment process is conducted by the GJAOC. The GJAOC acts as an independent body serving in the interest of Orange County citizens. In its role, the GJAOC appoints a five-member selection panel (Panel) to conduct the recruitment process. The GJAOC panel screens all applications, conducts interviews and recommends potential candidates for membership on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee once a year as terms expire. New TOC members are chosen by lottery from among the finalists at a meeting of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.

The Panel has conducted the application/recruitment program since the beginning of Measure M in 1990. The first lottery took place on November 15, 1990, and the individuals chosen began meeting in January 1991, serving staggered one-year, two-year, or three-year terms. Following the same recruitment process, new members serving three-year terms have joined the committee each year, replacing outgoing members whose terms have expired.

For more information see the Measure M2 website or email the Measure M2 Committee Chair.

2026 Recruitment

Each year, as terms of various members expire, a recruitment process is conducted to fill vacant positions on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee. This recruitment process typically takes place during spring with final selection in June. 2026 Recruitment is taking place for openings in Supervisorial Districts Two and Three.

Recruitment Underway

The effort to recruit new members of the TOC has begun with the application solicitation process that started in January. The interview team consists of GJAOC members Chris Evans, Bette Flick, Peter Hersh, Patti Whitman and Bill Underwood. Interviews are scheduled to start in May. Bill Underwood, GJAOC member and Panel Chair reported the following update at the April 2, 2026 GJAOC Board Meeting.

1. 2026 objective & branding 
   1. Solicitation & Selection of TOC applicant finalists for Two 2026-2029 M2 openings from Districts 2 and 3.
   1. No longer branded as “OC GO”by OCTA, reverting to Measure M/M2 (aka M2).
2. Solicitation Sources:
   1. Moved away from 2 Newspaper Print Sources this year due to decline of results from newspapers in recent years & high costs. Using primarily 7 sources so far.  They are:
      1. Paid & Organic Serial Media Posts
      1. Online IC Register Ads
      1. Press Releases
      1. Emails to past Finalists not selected
      1. Ads in Chinese, Vietnamese & Spanish publications 
      1. OCTA Newsletter
      1. Shared solicitations with elected officials
   1. Additional sources needed & will meet with OCTA for a series of April outreach blasts. AAA Westways April quarterly magazine free ad is coming and has been productive in past as has some personal outreachs. 
3. Applicants:
   1. Applicant totals to date is not yet overwhelming – Deadline is May 3rd, a month away.  
   1. Total – 10 applicants
      1. District 3 – 6 applicants
      1. District 2 – 1 applicant
      1. Non eligible districts – 3 applicants

Who Can Apply for the Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC)?

Any Orange County citizen 18 years or older may apply to serve on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee. This is a volunteer position and no monetary compensation will be paid to committee members. Potential candidates will be reviewed on the basis of the following criteria:

Commitment and ability to participate in Taxpayer Oversight Committee meetings for a three-year term from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. The committee will maintain time and meeting requirements. The committee currently meets bi-monthly.

Three TOC Member Criteria Requirements

1. Demonstrated interest and history of participation in community activities, with special emphasis on transportation-related activities.
2. Lack of conflict of interest with respect to the expenditure of the sales tax revenue generated by Measure M2. All Taxpayer Oversight Committee members are required to sign a conflict of interest form when accepting appointment.
3. Currently elected or appointed city, district, county, state or federal officials are not eligible to serve.