The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors today approved the appointment of Paul Rajmaira to serve on the Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee.
The committee was formed following the approval of Measure M in 2016 to monitor and ensure that all tax measure revenues are spent for transportation purposes.
“We welcome Paul Rajmaira to this oversight committee. It is an important position that will help the committee ensure Metro is doing everything right in terms of investing taxpayers’ dollars wisely,” said Glendale City Council Member and Metro Board Chair Ara J. Najarian. “We need more people like Mr. Rajmaira to help Metro deliver on its promise to taxpayers to greatly improve mobility options for all Los Angeles County residents.”
Paul Rajmaira is currently a Commercial Manager on the LAX Automated People Mover Project within Fluor’s infrastructure business line. Paul has 22 years of diverse experience in project management, operations, sales, contract management, finance, and risk management. He fills a recent vacant position on the committee and has large-scale construction project expertise.
“We are grateful for Paul’s willingness to serve on the Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “Paul will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and an independent eye to the table to help guide our Measure M program to ensure transparency to the public.”
There are currently two additional vacancies remaining on the seven-member committee with applications now being accepted to fill those vacancies as soon as possible. Metro is specifically looking for committee members that represent the following professions or areas of expertise:
Retired State Judge
Municipal/Public Finance/Budget
Current committee members:
Richard Stanger – Transit (Operations & Labor Practices) Professional
Ryan Campbell – Financial Policies, Performance Measurements and Reviews
Virginia Tanzmann – Licensed Architect or Engineer
Linda Briskman – Business Representative
Paul Rajmaira – Management of Large-Scale Construction Projects
General responsibilities of the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee include approving the scope of work and directing the work of auditors. Preparing an annual report on the results of the annual audit, including any findings, and reporting the comments to the Metro Board, reviewing all proposed debt financing, and making a finding on whether the benefits of the proposed financing for accelerating project delivery, avoiding future cost escalation, and related factors exceed issuance and interest costs, reviewing any proposed amendments to the Ordinance, including the Expenditure Plan, and making a finding.
Interested members must reside in Los Angeles County and will be subject to conflict-of-interest provisions. No person currently serving as an elected or appointed city, county, special district, state, or federal public officeholder shall be eligible to serve as a member of the committee.
The term of the appointment is five years with no limit on the number of terms that can be served. A stipend of $100 per meeting will be provided. The committee meets virtually four times a year. The deadline to apply is November 30, 2022. Metro will appoint new members through January 1, 2023.
LA County voters approved Measure M with 71.15% support in 2016. The half-cent sales tax measure funds projects to ease traffic, repair local streets and sidewalks, expand public transportation, earthquake retrofit bridges and subsidize transit fares for students, seniors and persons with disabilities.
For more information on how to submit an application to participate in this committee, please visit https://metro.com-beta.com/about/measure-m/#measure-m-independent-taxpayer-oversight-committee
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries about 800,000 boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and six rail lines.
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