By Lookout Staff

May 9, 2011 – Santa Monica College is soliciting applications for its Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee, the group responsible for making sure bond monies authorized by local voters are spent properly.

The committee was established when more than 70 per cent of the electorate in Santa Monica and Malibu passed Measure U in 2002, and its duties have been extended to oversee 2004's Measure S and Measure AA passed in 2008.

The openings are for representatives from the local business community. Applications for additional members are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Monday, June 6, 2011.

The committee meets four times a year to review quarterly financial statements produced by the Santa Monica Community College District to make sure that bond money is spent only for purposes set forth in the bond measures, and not for operating expenses like teacher or administrative salaries.

It reports to the Board of Trustees after each meeting, and also prepares an annual report summarizing its proceedings and verifying whether or not the District's bond spending is in compliance with the California Constitution.

Each measure spelled out a series of projects:

• Measure U, a $160 million bond measure passed in 2002, was meant to help pay for, among other things, Emeritus College, campus parking garages, a new Student Services Center, earthquake repair, and a central utility plant and distribution system to reduce energy costs and improve the environment;
  
• Measure S, a $135 million bond passed in 2004, included childcare, laboratories and energy savings among its mandates, as well as repairing and replacing deteriorating buildings and acquiring real property; and
  
• Measure AA, the most recent bond passed in 2008 for $295 million, was meant to improve teaching and career training in science, nursing, technology and media studies, modernize math and science laboratories and upgrade fire and seismic safety.

To qualify for appointment, an applicant must be at least 18 years old; must not be a college employee or official; and must not be a vendor, contractor or consultant to the college.

The SMC Board of Trustees will review all applications and make the final appointments. Applications are available by calling (310) 434-4402 or by going to the college's Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee website page.