Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District: board of directors: election: compensation.
In addition to changing the elected structure of the board, AB 1141 specifies the terms of office for new directors, aligning them with upcoming statewide general elections in 2026 and 2028. By doing this, the legislation aims to streamline the electoral process for these positions and facilitate a smooth transition to the new governance structure. The bill also repeals obsolete provisions regarding initial election terms, further clarifying the governance framework of the transit district. These changes could significantly influence the operational effectiveness of the district's leadership.
Assembly Bill 1141, introduced by Assembly Member Lee, aims to amend several sections of the Public Utilities Code related to the governance structure of the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District. The bill proposes to modify the composition of the board of directors by eliminating the two at-large elected positions and requiring that all seven directors be elected from specific wards within the district. This amendment to the current law seeks to enhance local representation by ensuring that directors are more directly accountable to their respective wards, thus potentially increasing their responsiveness to the unique needs of those communities.
AB 1141 also introduces modifications to the compensation of the board members. Under existing law, directors could receive a monthly compensation capped at $1,000, which the board could adjust based on the California Consumer Price Index. The proposed changes would allow adjustments to be made based on the previous year’s index and would set the effective date for any change to the first day of the new fiscal year rather than the next election. This provision might lead to debates on appropriate compensation levels and how they correlate to public service and accountability, especially within the context of fiscal responsibility regarding public funds.