With voter approval of a new 20-year regional transportation plan, the Regional Transportation Authority is enhancing public accountability and transparency. A newly constituted Citizens Accountability for Regional Transportation (CART) Committee will provide added oversight of implementation and fiscal stewardship for the voter-approved $2.67 billion plan.
Citizen oversight with quarterly updates and direct reporting to the RTA Board are key to RTA’s bolstered commitment to accountability and transparency with the 2026 voter-approved plan. By renewing and restructuring the CART Committee and selecting a new slate of 15 community members from across Pima County, the board seeks continued independent oversight on implementation of the new plan which includes roadway, pavement rehabilitation, safety, ADA, active transportation, environmental and transit improvements to the region’s transportation network.
To increase transparency on RTA activities, the new CART Committee members will meet quarterly and receive new quarterly analysis reports on project and financial progress, trends or challenges and can provide feedback directly to the board on project delivery or fiscal management of the plan’s public funding source, a countywide half-cent sales tax. This added level of transparency with frequent updates ensures the public will have a clear understanding of progress of RTA plan delivery and any changes in funding requirements.
Voters approved the RTA plan and tax in March, and both went into effect on April 1.
“Transparency and accountability matter to the RTA Board,” said RTA Board Chair and Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy. “The CART Committee gives the public a seat at the table and provides additional assurance that the plan the voters approved will be faithfully delivered over the next 20 years.”
Membership of the CART Committee includes eight jurisdictional representatives appointed by each of the RTA member jurisdictions and seven at-large members appointed by the RTA Board. Four of the at-large members are required to be City of Tucson residents.
Jurisdiction appointments
- Lisa Hagins, Town of Sahuarita
- Melissa Andrade, Tohono O’odham Nation
- Erin Pazos, Pascua Yaqui Tribe
- Vanessa Gallego, City of Tucson
- Vanessa Cascio, City of South Tucson
- Amanda Wiggins, Town of Marana
- Fred Narcaroti, Town of Oro Valley
- Ana Olivares, Pima County
At-large appointments
- Danette Bewley
- Kelle Maslyn
- Kyle Snowden
- Chris Albright
- Ryan Mackey
- Jim Olson
- Gene Kunde
The overall membership of the CART Committee is intended to be geographically balanced from across Pima County and includes diverse professional backgrounds with preferred professional expertise in audit, finance, multi-project capital planning, project management, engineering, construction, land use planning, public outreach, public transportation (transit), archaeology, anthropology, habitat conservation/wildlife mitigation, or related project delivery experience.