Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Announces Openings for Roles on Two Volunteer Committees and Adopts Budget & Annual Workplan

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. – June 24, 2025 – The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority), a 30-yearold regional public land conservation agency that protects open space and connects people to nature, today announced openings for new members of the Authority’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Expenditure Plan Oversight Committee (EPOC). The open call for applicants follows the ratification on June 12 by the Authority’s elected board of the agency’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget and annual work plan. 

“Transparency and accountability are foundational to the Authority's mission, and these two volunteer committees are essential to upholding those principles,” said Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Authority. “The seven-member Expenditure Plan Oversight Committee (EPOC) plays a key role in ensuring transparent use of Measure Q and T funds. Meanwhile, the 15-member Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) offers a vital platform for community voices, helping connect the diverse communities we serve with board and staff leadership. Serving on these committees is a meaningful way to contribute to your community and we warmly encourage Santa Clara Valley residents to consider lending their time and insight."

Both committees contribute in very tangible ways to equitable and accountable operations of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. The CAC participates in reviewing and recommending applications of the Authority’s urban grant program that has distributed nearly $15 million in grants and funded 950 community programs to support nature and connections to nature in the urban area over the agency’s 30 years. In 2026, the Authority will award $750,000 to local organizations.

Board Approves Budget and Annual Work Plan 

At its June 12 public meeting, the board of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority unanimously approved the budget and annual work plan for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. With current constraints on available state and federal grant funding to supplement the local tax revenues that support the Authority’s work, the agency is continuing the fiscally conservative approach it adopted in 2024 to the coming operational year.

The Authority’s revenues are principally derived from a voter-approved parcel tax that has remained flat and has not increased since 2014 when the Measure Q $24 parcel tax was approved by voters (and was extended as Measure T in 2020 without increase). In its 2024–2025 fiscal year, the Open Space Authority reduced its overall budget by 18% compared to the prior year, and by 24% compared to two years prior, to $18.7 million.

The newly approved budget for 2025–2026 is $19.2 million. This modest 2% increase is largely due to higher anticipated use of outside funding—federal and state grants, as well as contributions from partner organizations. Even with inflation trending above 2% over a 12-month period, the Authority kept its net use of local tax dollars nearly flat, increasing by less than half a percent. To stay on budget, the Authority continued to delay larger capital projects and focused on those backed by significant outside funding. This approach reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to maximizing the public’s investment: for every $1 of local tax revenue spent, the Authority typically brings in $3 to $4 in outside support to fund open space projects.

“As the Authority takes great care in managing and preserving the lands under our protection, we are just as dedicated to responsibly managing the public funds entrusted to us each year by the residents of our special district,” said Helen Chapman, District 3 Director and current board chairperson. “The board commends the Authority’s staff for their adaptability and leadership in realigning priorities and practices in response to today’s financial landscape.” 

“The EPOC plays a crucial role in honoring the trust placed in us by taxpayers, who strongly supported Measure T in 2020 knowing that public oversight would be part of the process,” added Mackenzie. “This committee’s work is a direct reflection of our commitment to fulfilling that promise to the voters.”

EPOC Openings and Applications 

Members of the EPOC are volunteers who reside within the Authority’s working area and review the agency’s use of all public funds collected via Measure Q and Measure T, which provide foundational funding to the Authority. Once selected, EPOC members meet up to four times a year and serve four-year terms. There is currently one position open. Interested candidates are invited to apply here.

CAC Openings and Applications 

Members of the CAC are volunteers who reside within the Authority’s working area, are interested in nature, public access opportunities and environmental conservation, and are expected to actively participate in volunteer events and engage with the public as part of their role. There is currently one position open in District 6. Applicants must reside in this district (map here) and commit to serve a two-year term. Interested candidates are invited to apply here.