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Public commenters urge independent audit of SBCAG and criticize MTD operations
Summary
Two public speakers at the April 16 SBCAG meeting accused the regional transit operator MTD of operational failures and urged an independent audit of SBCAG; one commenter proposed privatizing transit while another asked the board to seek federal oversight through Congressman Salud Carbajal.
Two members of the public used the April 16 Santa Barbara County Association of Governments board meeting to press sharply different demands about regional transportation oversight.
Scott Wince, speaking for the group Cars Are Basic, told the board MTD has been an ineffective operator “for at least 20 years” and accused the agency of missteps tied to its electric bus initiative. “They spent millions on electric buses. It’s not working, folks,” Wince said, adding that his organization had proposed a plan to eliminate MTD and replace it with a privatized model.
Angelina Dettamanti, a multi‑generational Santa Barbara County resident, asked the board to commission an independent audit of SBCAG to “ensure accountability for regional infrastructure” and recommended that the board contact Congressman Salud Carbajal to request a federal special auditor or independent review.
Dettamanti focused her remarks on transparency and deferred maintenance, asserting that tax revenue must be spent “transparently” and urging the board to pause pay increases until an audit confirmed expenditures align with SBCAG’s mission. “I would encourage this board to pause and do diligence and not just rubber stamp something,” she said during public comment on agenda item 4G.
The board did not take immediate formal action on the audit request. Chair Bob Nelson and staff noted existing local oversight mechanisms — including the Measure A oversight board — as places Dettamanti could raise concerns, but no motion to initiate an audit was introduced during the meeting.
What’s next: The comments were entered into the record; any formal request for an independent audit would require a board agenda item or referral to a committee for staff study and a possible future vote.
