Oregon leaders approve committee to rebuild public trust and increase accountability for ODOT

(Update: adding video, comments from committee member, Phil Chang)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A new state committee aims to increase oversight of the Oregon Department of Transportation, as questions about the agency’s financial management take center stage in the broader debate over how to fund roads and infrastructure.

State leaders recently approved the creation of an Audit Accountability Committee, designed to ensure issues identified in audits are addressed — not just documented.

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, who will serve on the new committee, said the group will play a hands-on role in tracking whether ODOT follows through on recommended fixes.

“We, as the governing body for ODOT, will be able to press to make sure that things are getting done,” Chang said. “We will be overseeing that process of checking up on the different divisions of ODOT and whether they are acting upon the auditor’s findings or not.”

The move follows several high-profile audit findings, including one that revealed $1.1 billion was mis-timed in agency projections. It also comes as lawmakers and voters consider a controversial transportation funding proposal that could bring new taxes and fees for Oregonians.

“People don't want to invest in an agency that they don't think is running well and using their money well,” Chang said. “This highlights our commitment at ODOT to taking auditor findings very seriously and making the fixes that they recommend.”

While the new committee may not lead to immediate, visible changes on Oregon roads, leaders say it plays a key role in rebuilding public trust.

“What I hope this audit committee can do is help build trust that ODOT is catching issues and fixing them so that people feel more comfortable investing in our transportation system,” Chang said.

The committee is expected to begin reviewing audit progress in the coming months, as the statewide transportation funding debate continues.

After strong public pushback, the latest transportation funding proposal is now expected to go before voters in May.

Whether the new oversight effort will boost confidence in how taxpayer dollars are spent remains to be seen, but the future of transportation funding in Oregon may ultimately depend on it.