HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 07-09-2026; 8-j - Appointment of Accountable Executive for the Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: July 9, 2026
Action Agenda
Item Number: 8-j
SUBJECT: Appointment of Accountable Executive for the Orange County Transportation
Services Agency Safety Plan
DEPARTMENT: Transportation Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Williamson, Interim
Transportation Services Director,
919-245-2102
PURPOSE: To appoint an Accountable Executive for the Orange County Transportation Services
(OCTS) Agency Safety Plan (ASP).
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Transportation Services Agency Safety Plan addresses all
applicable requirements and standards as set forth in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's)
Public Transportation Safety Program and the National Public Transportation Safety Plan. The
Board of Commissioners is required to certify an annual update, and ensure there is an
Accountable Executive.
The Accountable Executive has the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities.
• Ensuring a Safety Risk System (SMS) culture for OCTS operations employees.
• Controlling and directing human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain the
ASP and SMS and has responsibility for carrying out the Public Transportation Agency
Safety Plan of a public transportation agency.
• Carrying out the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan.
• Directing the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both the
agency's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5329(d),
and the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 5326.
• Designate a Chief Safety Officer who reports directly to the Accountable Executive.
It is proposed that Interim Transporation Services Director Sarah Williamson be appointed to
serve as the Accountable Executive for the OCTS ASP for FY 2027. Ms. Williamson is the Deputy
Director of Transportation, and has served as Interim Transportation Director since September
2025.
Updating the Accountable Executive is the first step in updating the ASP, and an important
designation to have in place ahead of the FTA's visit to OCTS in late summer 2026 as part of the
Triennial Audit. Staff will continue making updates to the ASP throughout the summer and
anticipates presenting the updated plan to the Board Commissioners in fall 2026.
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The Board of Commissioners initially approved the ASP at the Business meeting on September
2, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 4: MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 1. Identify priorities and resources necessary to implement the Orange
County Transit Plan.
OBJECTIVE 2. Increase community awareness of all modes of transportation including
transit, bike and pedestrian, vehicle, and all other modes.
OBJECTIVE 3. Support road projects that address congestion and reduce commute time
using the County's Complete Streets policy.
OBJECTIVE 4. Coordinate transit investments with municipal and county land use
planning to reduce vehicle miles travelled and to provide more equitable access to
shopping, employment, medical centers, college campuses, etc.
OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in implementing the County' s Safe Routes to Schools plan.
OBJECTIVE 6. Update transportation related plans to provide more multi-modal options
including rural Orange County.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board appoint Sarah Williamson
as the Accountable Executive for the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) Agency
Safety Plan (ASP).