By Robert Haugh

Santa Clarans voted last November to approve a $400 million infrastructure bond — the first major bond in nearly 60 years. 

Now,  Mission City residents can step up and help make sure the money is spent as approved. Applications are open for Santa Clara’s new Bond Compliance Oversight Committee. 

The deadline is Friday, April 29, at 5 p.m. You can apply online or in person at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (1500 Warburton Ave.).

The Committee will play a key role in monitoring how the bond money is spent, reviewing audits, and keeping the community informed. Members will also make recommendations to the City Council if changes to the expenditure plan are needed.

Here’s who the City is looking for:

• 7 residents (one from each district and one at-large)
• 1 small business representative (fewer than 50 employees)
• 1 large business representative (50 employees or more)
  Members will be chosen by lottery and then confirmed by the City Council. Terms last up to four years, and the Committee is expected to meet three to four times per year.

This all goes back to a decision last year to move forward with a more accountable and transparent version of the bond. The original $600 million proposal from staff lacked specifics. 

And according to polling last year, voters didn’t trust the City Council majority and City staff.

But Mayor Lisa Gillmor and then-Councilmember Kathy Watanabe led the charge for a scaled-down $400 million plan with a detailed spending outline.

Councilmember Kevin Park tried — and failed — to tack on an extra $4 million for the Triton Museum. His substitute motion didn’t even get a second.

Now, the real oversight work begins.