Midpen is pleased to announce the publication of our eighth Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report.
Approved by voters in 2014, Measure AA is a 30-year, $300 million general obligation bond to protect natural and working lands; open preserve lands to the public; construct public access improvements such as new trails and parking/staging areas; and restore and enhance open space land, forests, streams, watersheds and coastal ranch areas. When the public approved Measure AA, they also approved an ongoing review of expenditures through a Bond Measure Oversight Committee.
Measure AA Bond Accountability Report
The annual Measure AA Bond Accountability Report reflects MAA expenditures for the previous fiscal year. Expenditures, progress and major accomplishments within each of the 25 priority actions and project portfolios outlined in Measure AA, providing updates on project work completed within the fiscal year.
A Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) is appointed by the Midpen board of directors to ensure accountability, transparency and public oversight of all funds collected and allocated under MAA. The BOC consists of seven at-large members of the public who reside within District boundaries and review the Annual Accountability Report and expenditure plan in parallel each year, presenting findings to the board at a public meeting.
The new report reflects Measure AA expenditures in fiscal year 2023, July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, on 25 priority actions and project portfolios organized by geographic area which were the culmination of a vision planning effort that began in 2012. In fiscal year 2023, Midpen spent $22.1 million bringing the life-to-date total bond expenditure total to $110.4 million.
Highlights in this year’s report include the 5,100-acre purchase of Cloverdale Ranch, the close of escrow on the 612-acre South Cowell property, completion of the first phase of construction on the Alpine Road Regional Trail Improvements, completion of the site construction and restoration of the Alma Cultural Landscape at Bear Creek Redwoods and more.
2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of the approval of Measure AA.