Accusations fly, emotions run high at SANDAG meeting

San Marcos mayor lobs allegations of a staff member trying to force board members into a certain vote; calls it ‘corruption’ and ‘coercion’ as others pushback on claims

San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, left, accused a SANDAG staff member of trying to influence a vote regarding a $643 million budget amendment during the Oct. 27 Board of Directors meeting. Courtesy image

REGION — An explosive debate broke out and accusations flew at the San Diego Association of Government’s Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 27.

San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones claimed a high-level SANDAG employee told at least two board members the Fiscal Year 2024 program budget amendment must be passed, and the board must vote to do so or TransNet projects would be eliminated from the budget. TransNet was a half-cent sales tax increase in 2004 to fund highway and other transportation projects.

The amendment reallocates $643 million in TransNet and other funding for multi-modal projects instead of some projects approved from the 2004 tax measure into the 2025 regional transportation plan. The $643 million in revenue is from state, federal and TransNet sources projected to be available from FY 2024-30, according to the staff report. The item passed.

Jones said the staffer’s demand to force board members to vote a certain way was corrupt and coercive.

“This is highly inappropriate,” Jones said of her claims. “To have this whole strong army discussion behind the scenes and a SANDAG staff member actually doing this, I find highly inappropriate. I can’t believe this is where our organization has gone.”