The Citizens Watchdog Committee (CWC) for the 2000 Measure A Transit Sales Tax Program will hold its annual public hearing at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12 via Zoom video and teleconference. The Committee invites the public to provide their input on the independent audit of expenditures from Fiscal Year 2019 in this virtual meeting. The meeting information and link to the independent auditor’s report is available here.

Verbal public comments will be accepted through the video and teleconference meeting. Written comments are accepted until 10 a.m. on Aug. 12 by email to board.secretary@vta.org. Sign language and additional interpreter services will be provided upon request by contacting VTA Customer Service at least five days prior to the meeting at (408) 321-2300, TTY (408) 321-2330.

In November 2000, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A, a 30-year, half-cent sales tax for specific public transit capital improvement projects and operations. In its 13th year, VTA has achieved significant results toward meeting Measure A goals including:

• Extending BART to the Santa Clara County cities of Milpitas, San Jose and Santa Clara – In June 2019, BART assumed jurisdictional control over the Berryessa extension to continue with their acceptance testing and initiate preparations for pre-revenue operations. The first phase of the project, the extension to the Berryessa station, opened to the public on June 13, 2020.
• Improve Bus Service in Major Corridors – Installation of shelters to enhance customer experience along the Stevens Creek Rapid 523 corridor began in early 2019.
• Extend Light Rail from Downtown San Jose to the East Valley – The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project (formerly known as the Capitol Expressway Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project) scope incorporating aerial alignment was adopted in June 2019. Final design, right of way activities and utility relocation design is ongoing.

Questions on the Aug. 12 public hearing should be directed to the Office of the Board Secretary at (408) 321-5680, or to board.secretary@vta.org.

(Information submitted by the Office of the Board Secretary.)