By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–At the direction of SANDAG and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas, the planning organization board of directors met Friday to discuss the results of an investigation into the SR 125 tolling system by its Independent Performance Auditor.
“Today, as a board, we examined and addressed the substantial and substantiated results presented by the Office of Independent Performance Auditor’s Investigative report. OIPA’s findings highlight blatant errors and a dysfunctional system that short-changes commuters and all who use our roads. San Diegans deserve better,” said Vargas. “As chairwoman, I will continue to lead the efforts to institutionalize greater oversight, accountability, and transparency at SANDAG.”
The board unanimously approved accepting the Audit Committee’s recommendation to implement the 10 recommendations identified in the State Route 125 Toll Operations Investigation Report, and 1) continue to work to confirm customer accounts are accurate; 2) validate with management that no future similar issues identified in the State Route 125 contract process will occur in future contracts; and 3) development of a policy for timely reporting on all multi-million dollar projects. The board also requests the OIPA conduct an investigation to determine whether the SANDAG legal and executive team and board members were made aware prior to the board.
Chairwoman Vargas also called for an Ethics and Compliance Office and strengthened the Whistleblower Program at SANDAG, and announced an item would be added to the next board meeting to continue the board’s assessment of these matters.
In January, the board approved an action to address tolling system deficiencies and implement a new back-office system, which included contracting with Deloitte and A-to-Be to replace the ETAN tolling system by the end of the year.
Additional commitments from the action plan include conducting regular vendor and internal assessments, implementing a quality assurance and quality control plan, operational and customer service improvements, and internal policy changes that include regular and proactive reporting to the SANDAG board.
