Audit Committee

Meeting Minutes

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 9:00 A.m. - 11:00 A.m.

SANDAG Boardroom

1011 Union Street, First Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

Voting Members Present:

• Chair Jack Fisher (Board Member)
• Vice Chair Luz Molina (Board Member)
• Agnes Wong Nickerson (Public Member)
• Rowena Dorsey (Public Member)

Others Present:

• Councilmember David Zito (Board Member)

 

Meeting Video

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1.

Call to Order

Chair Fisher called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

2.

Comments and Communications

2.1

Non-Agenda Public Comments/Member Comments

Public comments: Purita Javier, Cesar Javier, Andrea Ebbing, Blair Beekman. 

Member Comments: None.

Chief Financial Officer Dawn Vettese presented an update on agency activities. 

2.2

Office of the Independent Performance Auditor Activities

Independent Performance Auditor Courtney Ruby presented an update on the Office of the Independent Performance Auditor's activities and other events.

Public Comments: Blair Beekman. 

3.

Consent

Public Comments: Blair Beekman. 

• Motioned by: Vice Chair Molina
  Seconded by: Chair Fisher

  to approve Consent Item No. 3.1.

  For (3)	Chair Fisher, Vice Chair Molina, and Rowena Dorsey
  Abstain (1)	Agnes Wong Nickerson

  The motion passed. (3 to 0)

3.1

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Approved the minutes from the December 5, 2025, meeting.

4.

Reports

4.1

Office of the Independent Performance Auditor Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Public Comments: Cesar Javier, Blair Beekman. 

• Motioned by: Rowena Dorsey
  Seconded by: Vice Chair Molina

  to recommend that the Board of Directors approve the proposed Office of the Independent Performance Auditor FY 2027 budget. 

  For (4)

  Chair Fisher, Vice Chair Molina, Rowena Dorsey, and Agnes Wong Nickerson

  The motion passed. (4 to 0)

4.2

Office of the Independent Performance Auditor 2025 Peer Review

Courtney Ruby presented a summary of the 2025 peer review conducted by the Association of Local Government Auditors. This item was presented for information only. 

Public Comments: Cesar Javier, Andrea Ebbing. 

4.3

Whistleblower Hotline Mid-Year Operational Update

Courtney Ruby presented an update on the SANDAG Whistleblower Hotline Program. This item was presented for information only. 

Public Comments: Cesar Javier, Andrea Ebbing, Blair Beekman. 

4.4

Closed Session: Performance Evaluation of Independent Performance Auditor (Government Code Section 54957 (B)(1))

Public Comment: Cesar Javier. 

Chair Fisher adjourned the meeting to closed session at 10:16 a.m. 

Chair Fisher resumed open session at 10:40 a.m. 

Deputy General Counsel Amberlynn Deaton reported that the Audit Committee met in closed session to conduct the performance evaluation of the Independent Performance Auditor and there was no reportable action.

4.5

Update on the Independent Performance Auditor's Annual Performance Review

Public Comments: Cesar Javier.

• Motioned by: Vice Chair Molina
  Seconded by: Rowena Dorsey

  to recommend that the Board of Directors approve a salary increase for the Independent Performance Auditor (IPA) of 2.75% retroactive to the IPA's hiring anniversary.

  For (3)	Chair Fisher, Vice Chair Molina, and Rowena Dorsey
  Absent (1)	Agnes Wong Nickerson

  The motion passed. (3 to 0)

5.

Adjournment

Chair Fisher adjourned the meeting at 10:49 a.m.