Alameda County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting: Child Welfare Audit, EMS, Budget (Nov 26, 2025)
Alameda County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting - November 26, 2025
The Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on November 26, 2025, addressing multiple critical issues including an appointment to child support services, a state audit of the child welfare system, the future of the county’s emergency medical services (EMS) system, and a bleak budget and federal funding outlook. Public comments also centered on urgent implementation of the Ethical Investment Policy (EIP).
General Administration
- Appointment of Acting Director of Child Support Services: The Board unanimously approved the appointment of Bengeria Harvey as Acting Director for up to 120 days, effective November 25, 2025, pending a permanent director. (Vote: 5-0)
- Continuance: Item 2 under General Administration was continued to the regular Board meeting on December 9, 2025, due to late release of attachments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Closed Session Comments: One speaker criticized the lack of public notice and procedural issues. Another speaker raised concerns about the county council recruitment and meeting decorum.
- Child Welfare Presentation: No public speakers.
- EMS System Presentation: Twelve in-person speakers and three online speakers addressed the Board. Most speakers opposed moving to a non-exclusive operating area (NEOA) and urged extension of the current Falc contract, citing risks to labor stability, equitable service, and patient care. Some expressed support for exploring a third service or alliance model. A fire union leader argued an open system can be equitable with proper regulation.
- Budget and Public Charge: Five online and multiple in-person speakers urged immediate implementation of the Ethical Investment Policy without further review or consultant spending, warning against delaying action on human rights.
Discussion Items
- State Audit of Social Services / Child Welfare: Director Andrea Ford and Assistant Director Michelle Love presented findings from a joint legislative audit. Key points: 15 recommendations (expanded from 10), progress on training and documentation, a 54% staff survey response rate showing positive safety culture, and recruitment challenges (568 applications for Bachelor-level positions, only 9% hired; 1,215 for Master-level, 18% hired). The Board requested monthly updates to the Social Services Committee and quarterly full Board reports starting January 2026, focusing on metrics like response times, vacancies, and sibling placements. A public dashboard was proposed.
- EMS System Update: Health Director Anika Chowdhury and EMS Director Lori McFadden presented three system options: Exclusive Operating Area (EOA), Non-Exclusive Operating Area (NEOA), and Third Service. They recommended maintaining the EOA while exploring alternatives, and extending the current Falc contract for 2 years with a 1-year renewal option (Option B) to allow time for system redesign. Board discussion favored Option B, with direction to explore both a third service (requiring state legislation) and an open system, with progress updates every six months.
- Budget & Finance Update: CAO staff presented a dire state budget outlook ($18 billion deficit), impacts of HR1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and significant cuts to federal Continuum of Care (COC) funding (up to $60 million at risk for homeless services). A lawsuit challenging HUD’s new priorities was noted. The Board asked for worst-case scenario analysis and a mid-year budget report.
Key Outcomes
- Vote: Approved appointment of Acting Director of Child Support Services (5-0).
- Referral: Continued item 2 to December 9, 2025.
- Directive: Social Services Agency to provide monthly metrics to the Social Services Committee and quarterly full Board reports starting January 2026.
- Directive: EMS staff to bring a board letter by January 6, 2026, for a 2-year contract extension with Falc plus a 1-year option; continue exploring alternative EMS models with six-month status updates.
- Referral: Budget staff to prepare a worst-case financial scenario and present mid-year budget report.
- No Action: The Board did not take action on the Ethical Investment Policy; it remains under review as directed in October 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning everyone. I'd like to call to meet uh order the special meeting of Tuesday, November 25th. Special meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Alameda County. Will the clerk please call the roll? Supervisor Marquez present. Supervisor Tam present. Supervisor Miley. Excuse. Supervisor Fortunato Bath present. President Halbert. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you very much. I note that the Board of Supervisors recognizes and appreciates in-person and online participation, those wishing to speak on an item on the agenda, which is allowed for in uh public comment on closed session items first, and then on each item listed on the agenda. If you're online, the clerk will now provide instructions for how to participate remotely. Detailed instructions are provided in the teleconferencing guidelines. A link to the document is included in today's agenda to view an automated translated transcript or listen to an automated translated audio of the meeting from English into multiple other languages. Please utilize the wordly link in today's agenda. Are the QR codes posted throughout the room in the select your preferred language from the drop down menu? If you're joining the meeting using a computer, use the button at the bottom of your screen to raise your hand to request to speak. When called to speak, please unmute your microphone and state your name. If you're calling in, Dow star nine to raise your hand to speak. When you're called to speak, the host will enable you to speak. If you decide not to speak, notify the clerk when your call is unmuted, or you may simply hang up and dial back into the meeting. When called, you will have two minutes to speak. Please limit your remarks to the time allocated. Thank you. Thank you, Cheryl. We're going to um request before we take comments on closed session and before we adjourn to closed session. We would like to take up item general administration number one from the county administrator's office to appoint Bengeria Harvey as the acting director of child support services effective 112525 for up to 120 days, pending appointment of a permanent director. Ums Miranishi, any other comments? President Howard, members of the board. I would um just um, you know, again reiterate that due to the retirement of um Phyllis Nance's your child support services director. We want to ensure uh continuity of operations. So pending your board's completion of a recruitment and appointment of a permanent director. The recommendation is that you appoint Van Juria Harvey, who is currently the supervising attorney in the department as the interim director effective today for up to 120 days pending your board's appointment of a permanent director. Is there any comments from my colleagues before we take public comment on this item? Seeing none public comment on this item number one under general administration. There are no speakers. See none, I'll entertain a motion. I'll second. Motion's been made and seconded. A roll call vote, please. Supervisor Marquez. Aye. Supervisor Tam. Aye. Supervisor Miley, excuse. Supervisor Fortunato Bath. Aye.
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