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Measure I oversight committee adopts bylaws that expand meeting frequency and allow independent audits
Summary
The Measure I Citizens Oversight Committee voted 5–0 to accept bylaws drafted by the City Council; the bylaws recommend at least six meetings per year, allow the committee to select an independent auditor paid from Measure I funds, and assign staff support roles.
The Measure I Citizens Oversight Committee voted 5–0 to accept bylaws prepared by City of Escondido staff and reviewed by the City Council’s boards and commissions subcommittee. The bylaws outline meeting frequency, staff support and the committee’s authority to hire an independent auditor funded from Measure I revenue.
Why it matters: The bylaws set operational rules for the committee that will oversee a voter-approved sales tax (Measure I). They establish how often the committee will meet, how it will receive financial reports and that the committee may hire an independent auditor whose fees would be paid from Measure I funds.
City staff told the committee the council initially directed staff to draft bylaws on March 5, 2025; the subcommittee (Council Member Martinez and Mayor White) reviewed the draft on March 13 and returned edits; staff presented it to council again May 31 and council adopted the bylaws on June 11. Staff outlined key elements included in the bylaws: public posting of meeting materials and reports on the city website; staff support from the finance director, the city manager and the staff member assigned to the committee; and referral of unresolved procedural questions to the city attorney.
A notable change from the voter-adopted ordinance is meeting frequency. The ordinance required two meetings a year; the bylaws recommend meeting at least six times a year and allow the committee to meet more often if needed. Staff said committee members will receive quarterly financial reports after the bylaws are adopted and that the committee is required under the ordinance to produce a report to city council, assisted by the independent auditor when selected.
The committee approved the bylaws by motion and second; the roll-call vote was recorded as five affirmative votes and no opposing votes. Committee members discussed scheduling around quarterly financial reporting and asked staff for the expected timing of quarterly and mid-year financial materials.
Staff indicated that the first substantial data set for Measure I receipts will be available after the first quarter close in September and that the city received an initial cash distribution in July. Staff also displayed Measure I branding designed by the communications team that will appear on city vehicles and signage to inform the public where Measure I funds are being used.
The committee directed staff to begin preparing an RFP for an independent auditor for review at a future meeting and discussed how members can request specific budget line-item information for future agendas without violating the Brown Act.
