To better serve our communities, an independent study is underway which will evaluate our governance structure and practices. This effort, called the VTA Governance Assessment, is being performed by the consulting firm RSM US LLP. Now through December 6, we are looking to gather feedback across multiple forums that will be folded into the study’s findings and recommendations to our Board.

Earlier this year, VTA Board Chair Teresa O’Neill identified Board governance as one primary area of the Board’s focus for 2019. An Ad Hoc Board Enhancement Committee was established to look at a broad range of governance practices to identify ways board engagement and effectiveness could be improved to better support the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. The review will also identify leading practices and potential enhancements for Board consideration.

There are multiple ways for the public to get involved:

• An online survey
• Public meeting on November 20 at 7 p.m. held at the County Government Building, 70 West Hedding Street in San Jose
• Live virtual town-hall meeting on November 21 which will allow the public to provide comments and ask questions. This meeting will also be recorded so you may watch at your convenience from any location.
• Dedicated voicemail at 408-952-4200 where you can leave anonymous and confidential feedback.

In addition, the VTA Governance Assessment will accomplish the recommendation of a 2018-2019 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report that VTA commission a study of the governance structures of successful large city transportation agencies to see how VTA compares.

RSM’s findings and recommendations will be presented at the December 17th Ad Hoc Board Enhancement Committee meeting at 10 a.m. held at VTA’s River Oaks Administration Campus – Conference Room B-104.