Open Space Authority seeks committee members

Volunteers oversee use of parcel tax, urban grants.

Having the authority

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has openings on its Citizens’ Advisory and Expenditure Plan Oversight committees (CAC and EPOC, respectively).

The seven-member EPOC provides direct public oversight of the authority’s use of  its $24 annual parcel tax, permanently renewed by voters in November 2020. This tax generates approximately $8 million per year.

Authority general manager Andrea Mackenzie said that vote was “based on the promise that there would be citizen oversight of expenditures. This committee’s oversight represents our promise to the voters.”

The 15-member CAC participates in reviewing and recommending applications for the authority’s annual urban grant program that has distributed nearly $15 million in grants and funded 950 community programs to support nature in urban areas. Last year, the authority awarded nearly $2 million to 19 local organizations.

Members of both committees are volunteers who reside within the authority’s working area. There are three positions open on EPOC, whose members meet quarterly and serve three-year terms. CAC members serve two-year terms; there are two positions open.

For more information and to apply for either committee, visit https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/committees.

Magic moths

Ahead of National Moth Week July 20-28, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is hosting a virtual presentation July 5 about the magic of moths. Attendees can learn about the moths of the Bay Area and how to help protect them.

The free event is currently full, but a waitlist is available at Eventbrite.com. For more information about National Moth Week, visit NationalMothWeek.org.