SAN MARCOS (August 31, 2016) — Palomar College is seeking to fill four vacancies on the Proposition M Bond Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (ICOC). Those interested in applying should identify as one of the following: a student enrolled and active in a Palomar College support group (such as student government); a member of the community at-large; a member active in a senior citizens’ organization; and an individual active in a bona fide taxpayers association.  ICOC members are appointed and applications are required, along with approval by the Palomar College Governing Board.

The ICOC oversees how the college expends nearly $700 million from Proposition M, the facilities bond measure voters approved in November 2006.  The committee is responsible for ensuring that bond proceeds are expended only for the purposes described in the Proposition M ballot measure.

Individuals interested in these appointed positions can obtain an application on Palomar’s website at http://www.palomar.edu/propm/icoc/ or by calling Shawna Cohen in Employment Services, 760-744-1150, extension 2608.  Applications are available until the position is filled.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and must reside within the Palomar Community College District, which stretches from Camp Pendleton and part of Oceanside in the west, to Borrego Springs in the east, and from the Riverside County line to Poway and Rancho Peñasquitos.

State law requires that the ICOC membership include at least one (enrolled) student who is active in a community college support group, such as student government; one member active in a business organization representing the business community; one member active in a senior citizens’ organization; one member active in a taxpayers’ association; one member active in a support organization for Palomar College, such as the Palomar College Foundation and President’s Associates; and two members of the community.

A majority of the members must possess expertise in one or more of the following areas: large-scale construction operations, municipal/public finance, expertise with agency/entity budgeting, and project management. The committee may not include any employee or official of the district, or any vendor, contractor or consultant of the district.

Under the ICOC bylaws approved by the Governing Board in September 2008, terms of service are generally two years, with a maximum of three terms. ICOC members are not compensated. The college anticipates that the ICOC will meet quarterly.

The ICOC bylaws stipulate the group will receive and review the district’s annual independent performance audit and annual independent financial audit; inspect college facilities and grounds for which bond proceeds have been or will be expended; review district efforts to maximize bond proceeds; inform the public and Governing Board about the district’s bond expenditures; present an annual written report to the Board; and provide other input.

The Proposition M measure allows Palomar to carry out its Facilities Master Plan. Prop M is a 15-year building and re-building program which has already begun for Palomar’s San Marcos campus, Escondido Center as well as the District’s two new proposed centers located in Fallbrook (North Education Center) and Rancho Bernardo (South Education Center). With state matching funds, total facility expenditures may reach nearly $1 billion.  Projects funded through Prop M are expected to continue into 2022/23 Fiscal year.

 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Laura Gropen, Public Affairs Office

760-744-1150, ext. 2152