Metro Names New Taxpayer Watchdogs For Sales Tax-Funded Transit Projects

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Tuesday it appointed four new members to its taxpayer oversight committees for measures M and R and propositions A and C.

Metro appointed retired Caltrans Deputy Director Dan Freeman and retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Jay Gandhi to the Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee. The agency also appointed retired Judge Mary J. Strobel to the Measure R Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee.

Additionally, Metro appointed Teri Aranguren to the Independent Citizen's Advisory and Oversight Committee, which oversees how Proposition A and Proposition C sales tax revenues are spent.

Metro has now filled all seats on the three committees.

Freeman will bring his expertise as a licensed engineer, while Gandhi will serve as the retired federal or state judge representative on the Measure M committee, according to Metro. They will attend their first meeting in December.

Strobel and Aranguren will fill the remaining vacancies on their respective committees. Both will attend their first meetings in March 2027.

"Measure M represents a significant investment by Los Angeles County taxpayers in the future of our transportation system, and strong independent oversight is essential to maintaining public trust in how those dollars are spent," Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee Vice Chair Michael Moore said in a statement. "We are pleased to welcome two members with such deep and complementary expertise. Their experience in transportation infrastructure, construction, the judiciary and complex dispute resolution will strengthen the committee's ability to provide thoughtful, independent oversight."

Freeman has more than 30 years of engineering experience working on projects in Southern California. He previously served as deputy director of Caltrans District 7's Construction Division and deputy director of its Maintenance Division, according to the agency.

Gandhi brings experience in the federal judiciary, complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He served for eight years as a U.S. magistrate judge for the Central District of California, where he handled complex civil matters. He also served as vice chair of the court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.

Gandhi chairs the Measure R Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee.

"Independent oversight is fundamental to ensuring that Measure R and Measure M revenues are spent in accordance with the commitments made to Los Angeles voters," Gandhi said in a statement.

He also welcomed Strobel's appointment to the Measure R committee, saying her judicial experience would help promote accountability, transparency and public confidence in the use of taxpayer funds.

Strobel served as a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court for more than 20 years. She previously served for 12 years in the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office.

Aranguren is a retired financial consultant with more than 30 years of experience assisting nonprofit organizations with financial policy, governance and operational efficiency. She also serves as a commissioner on the Los Angeles Commission on Community and Family Services and is a member of St. Anne's Family Services' Early Childhood Education Committee.

The Measure M Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee was established following voter approval of Measure M in 2016 to provide an enhanced level of accountability for expenditures of Measure M sales tax revenues. The committee consists of seven members with specific professional expertise and serves independently in carrying out its responsibilities under the Measure M ordinance.

The Measure R Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee was established after voters approved Measure R in 2008 to monitor compliance with the measure's requirements and ensure tax revenues are used for transportation purposes as specified in the ordinance.

The Independent Citizen's Advisory and Oversight Committee was established after voters approved the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Reform and Accountability Act in 1998 to provide accountability in the expenditure of Proposition A and Proposition C sales tax revenues and ensure funds are spent for transportation purposes as specified in the ordinances.

City News Service