OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alameda County Board of Supervisors Early Budget Work Session - April 14, 2026

Board of Supervisors — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyAlameda County, California
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 9:24:30
Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Recording in progress.

0:06

Good morning, everyone.

0:08

I'd like to call the meeting, uh special meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to order.

0:13

This is Tuesday, April 14th.

0:15

Will the clerk please call the roll to establish our quorum?

0:19

Supervisor Marquez present supervisor TAM.

0:22

Present.

0:22

Supervisor Miley.

0:28

Can you hear me?

0:29

Yes.

0:29

Supervisor Fortunato Baz present.

0:32

President Halbert.

0:34

Present.

0:35

We have a quorum.

0:36

Thank you very much, and thank you to Supervisor Miley participating remotely.

0:40

Our first item up for the agenda is public comment on closed session items.

0:48

We'll now take speakers in person and online for public comment on closed session items.

0:55

I will note that the main portion of our meeting today is early budget work session.

1:01

We will have presentations throughout the day, and we will have public comment on those items at the end of our presentations.

1:10

But for now, public comment on closed session items.

1:13

Will the clerk please call speakers?

1:21

Chair Halbert, there are no public speakers for closed session items.

1:27

Okay, very good.

1:28

Then we will proceed.

1:30

I note that we often would recess into closed session in the beginning of our meeting.

1:35

We're not going to do that today.

1:36

We will be taking a break and having closed session later in the meeting.

1:41

But for now, we're going to proceed with our early budget work session.

1:44

This is an item that we do every year.

1:47

It's one of the hallmarks of our budget season.

1:50

I'm going to now turn the meeting over to our chief administration officer, CAO Susan Moranishi to kick us off for today's early budget work session.

2:02

Susan.

2:03

Thank you, President Halbert.

2:05

Members of the board.

2:06

As you indicated, today is your board's annual budget work session, a key milestone in development of a balanced fiscal year 26-27 budget.

2:15

Today you will hear from elected and appointed department heads who will each present an overview of their respective agency and departments, focusing on goals and key accomplishments, mandated and discretionary services, key investments in programs and services, and an overview of the preliminary maintenance of effort budget based on policies and guidelines adopted by your board.

2:38

The preliminary MOE budget provides an early view of some of the changes expected next fiscal year due to salary and benefit adjustments, increased operating expenses and support costs, and decreases in revenue due to limited growth and or funding cuts.

2:54

Some key issues and considerations for you to consider with regard to the preliminary maintenance of effort budget.

3:01

Measure W funds are not included as they will be in this in a separate fund and will be incorporated into the proposed budget.

3:09

We also are benefiting from one-time retirement savings resulting from your board's prepayment of pension liabilities.

3:17

There are increasing workers' compensation costs in addition to rising litigation risks and costs, and there are adjustments to county council's budget structure and charges to general fund departments.

3:28

There are also issues that require further review and analysis as we develop the proposed budget, including mandated and discretionary services, which are identified by all departments but not quantified by all.

3:41

We are continuing our position review to better align funding with billed positions and we'll be reviewing salary savings.

3:49

We will also be looking at program-wide revenues, particularly related to public safety, where those revenues are budgeted at the program level, not included in the departmental budgets.

3:59

And there are a few other maintenance of effort issues and adjustments, including caseload and workload considerations.

4:06

The work session today is an opportunity for your board to learn more about each of the department's operations, funding challenges, and pending factors.

4:14

Given our reliance on federal and state funding, concerns about looming policy changes and funding cuts at the federal and state level are front and center and largely unknown.

4:25

We will now set the context and provide background for today's hearing with a very brief update on state and federal issues, an overview of the MOE guidelines, next steps, and the budget calendar, as well as major pending factors.

4:39

And I'm going to ask Rasley Tadeo to present that to your board.

4:44

You've each received a binder that was just compiled minutes ago that includes copies of the presentations that will be presented and were prepared by each of the departments.

4:55

There's also a working agenda that identifies the schedule and list of presentations.

5:06

Thank you and good morning.

5:07

I'll be providing a brief overview before we proceed with the maintenance of effort budget presentations from agencies and departments.

5:16

So first turning to the state.

5:30

There are some constraints, as much of any additional revenue is constitutionally required to go towards school funding under Prop 98 and building the state's reserves.

5:40

The state is also nearing the GAN limit, which restricts spending growth even when revenues increase.

5:45

The LAO has advised waiting for updated data in May in the May revised before making significant budget decisions.

5:54

At the federal level, we still don't know the full impact of policy changes.

5:58

Federal changes will significantly reduce the federal government's share of administrative costs.

6:03

And in starting in October 2027, states may be required to share in-benefit costs based on error rates.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████21%
Budget Process█████████████████17%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Elections Administration██████6%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Public Assistance████4%
Economic Development███3%
Child Welfare Services███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Alameda County Board of Supervisors Early Budget Work Session - April 14, 2026

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on April 14, 2026, for its annual early budget work session for fiscal year 2026-27. Chief Administration Officer Susan Moranishi opened the session, noting the preliminary maintenance of effort (MOE) budget addresses baseline changes such as salary adjustments, increased operating costs, and revenue constraints. Key uncertainties include federal and state policy changes (e.g., HR1, Prop 1), federal funding cuts, and rising insurance and litigation costs. Departments presented their MOE budgets, highlighting challenges in funding mandates, staffing vacancies, and growing service demands.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dr. Jeffrey Watson (Oakland Private Industry Council / Oakland Chinese Industry Council) requested budget support for a collaborative housing project to house 150 people in 17 units, emphasizing wraparound services and peer advocacy.
  • Jane Kramer urged creative, non-linear thinking in budget development, suggesting the board discard cherished assumptions to find new resources and improve effectiveness.
  • Alison Monroe (Families Advocating for the Seriously Mentally Ill) called for a shift in mental health spending toward the most seriously ill—increasing subacute beds, expanding first-episode psychosis programs, and involving families in treatment—to reduce deaths and incarceration.

Discussion Items

CAO Overview and Budget Context

  • The county faces a structural deficit with operational costs outpacing revenue. In the current year, a $105.7 million gap was closed using $61 million in one-time and $45 million in ongoing strategies.
  • State constraints: Prop 98 and Gann limit restrict spending. Federal changes (HR1) will reduce administrative funding and may shift costs to counties for benefits and eligibility redeterminations.
  • Pending factors: labor negotiations, rising insurance costs, litigation, FEMA disallowances, unfunded capital needs, and potential economic downturn.
  • The budget timeline includes a proposed budget in late May and final adoption by June 30.

Health Care Services Agency (Anika Chalk)

  • Total appropriation: $1.369 billion (1.97% increase); net county cost increase of $8.58 million (4.4%).
  • Behavioral Health accounts for 60% of the budget; 65% of BH funding goes to CBO contracts.
  • 408 contracts with 197 CBOs totaling $794 million.
  • Key investments: $124.75 million for housing/homelessness (Measure W excluded), $85.3 million for HealthPAC, $44.8 million for CARE Court, $35.83 million for environmental health, and $17.11 million for EPIC electronic health record.
  • Challenges: Prop 1 (BHSA) cuts of $53 million; HR1 cost shifts for indigent care; potential federal grant clawbacks (~$16 million at Public Health); state HAP funding cut by 50% and HUD funding reductions of $30–60 million.
  • Supervisor Marquez requested an economic impact analysis of the agency.

Social Services Agency (Andrea Ford)

  • Total appropriation: $1.1 billion (increase of $13.5 million). Net county cost increase of $5.9 million.
  • Serves 1 in 3 residents; issues over $460 million in annual benefits.
  • New interactive data dashboard launched showing caseload trends: MediCal enrollment down 9.2% YoY; CalFresh down 6%; IHSS up 6.3%; child welfare placements down 4–5%.
  • Key investments: $27.1 million for Adult Protective Services; $37 million for General Assistance; $11 million for CalFresh (new inclusion, due to HR1 admin cost shift).
  • Vacancy rates: Workforce & Benefits Admin 20.19%; Children & Family Services 21.51%; Adult & Aging Services 4.68%.
  • Federal HR1 will increase workload; state realignment revenues are flat to negative.

Child Support Services (Interim Director)

  • Total appropriation: $35.13 million; net county cost of zero (state/federally funded).
  • Serves 25,754 children; collected $78 million in support, with 94% ($74 million) directly to families (6% increase from prior year).
  • Challenges: caseload decline, unfunded mandates (SB 343), and potential funding formula changes.

General Services Agency (Kimberly Gasway)

  • General fund appropriation: $27.1 million (4.4% increase); net county cost increase of $606,000.
  • Internal service funds (ISF) total $206 million; largest increase in building maintenance ($11 million) and motor vehicles fuel (75% increase due to Iran conflict).
  • Underutilized buildings cost: Glen Dyer Jail $1.2 million/year, Arena Center $446,000/year; disposition efforts ongoing.
  • Accomplishments: EV charging grants, vehicle consolidation (135 vehicles transitioned to motor pool), climate action plan update, and 40% apprenticeship hours on construction projects.

Public Works Agency (Daniel Woldesenbet)

  • Total appropriation: $403.9 million; net county cost $1.7 million (increase of $64,000).
  • Accomplishments: 22.7 miles of road rehab, 11 transportation projects ($42M), 13 flood control projects ($18M), and permits fully online.
  • Challenges: failed flood control assessment increases for Zones 2/4/9, unfunded mandates (zero trash TMDL, zero-emission fleet), 25% vacancy rate.
  • Supervisor Tam requested clearer communication on restricted fund uses.

Community Development Agency (Sandy Rivera)

  • Total appropriation: $82 million (0.7% increase); net county cost increase of 2.2%.
  • Key investments: Housing & Community Development $43.1 million; Healthy Homes $12 million; Planning $11.6 million; Ag Weights & Measures $11 million; Economic & Civic Development $3.7 million.
  • Measure A1 GO bond: 98% committed, balance winding down by 2032; no successor measure in current cycle.
  • Tenant protections: mediation program funded, proactive rental inspection and rental registry planned for Measure W; just cause ordinance adopted.
  • Homelessness funding: $124.75 million in Health agency budget plus Measure W.

Information Technology Department (Ram Gurumurti)

  • ITD is an ISF department; general fund budget (CRIMES) $4.31 million.
  • Key investments: radio upgrade $8.23 million; cybersecurity; digital accessibility; Gen AI integration.
  • 83% of budget is ITD main; 4% turnover rate (half national average); #1 national ranking in 2025 Chime County Survey.

Assessor (Phong La)

  • $129 billion in assessed value in dispute (1.29 billion potential refunds). Appeals rose from 2,000/year to 5,500 in 2024, projected 7,500 next year.
  • Assessment roll growth: 2.2% (lowest in eight years); some cities near 0% growth.
  • Tesla appeal from 2018–2025 is largest single appeal (1% of county property tax roll).
  • Staffing: moving bodies to appeals team; may request more resources.

Sheriff (Yesenia Sanchez)

  • Total appropriation: $678 million; net county cost $529 million (2.96% increase).
  • 20% sworn vacancy rate; jail population ~1,290 (capacity 3,400); federal inmate population dropped from 260 to 19, losing $16 million in revenue.
  • Key investments: $19.1 million increase in ISFs (building maintenance, radios); Axon contract extension from $14M to $37.7M over five years (if not approved by 2026).
  • Accomplishments: CalAIM go-live July 2026; 336 lives saved at jail in 2025; re-entry programs (Layuna, Freedom Braiders); cold case unit arrested two in 1993 homicide.
  • Needs: EVOC track expansion ($4.5M), new Eden Township substation, dispatch center.

District Attorney (Ursula Jones Dickson)

  • Total appropriation: $116 million (3.85% increase); net county cost increase of 4.06%.
  • 322 pending homicide/manslaughter cases; prosecutors per 100,000 residents (9) are below national average (12.5) and peer counties.
  • Unfunded mandates: race-blind charging, Racial Justice Act (1 attorney vs 6 in Contra Costa), Prop 36 (300+ new felony theft cases, no treatment funding).
  • Victim services: 80% of victim witness advocates are grant-funded; trauma recovery center grant lost.
  • Expert witness costs: $10,000 per murder trial for pathologists.

Probation Department (Brian Ford)

  • Total appropriation: $234.8 million; net county cost $160.8 million (2% increase).
  • 13.5% vacancy rate; 40 youth at JJCF, 11 at Camp Sweeney.
  • Investments: $39 million in CBO contracts ($22M youth, $17M adult).
  • Prop 36: minimal direct impact but unfunded; state and federal funding uncertainties.

Public Defender (Breon Woods)

  • Total appropriation: $76.4 million (4.2% increase); net county cost increase of $4 million.
  • 27,000 new files in 2025; 129 attorneys. Using national workload study, need 104 additional attorneys; AB 625 recommends 45 investigators, 21 social workers, 32 paralegals.
  • Prop 36: 1,400 more felony cases/year with no staffing increase; misdemeanor cases up 1,400.
  • Clean Slate unit: 1,800 petitions filed, 93% granted; caseload reduced from 730 to 425 per attorney.
  • Immigration unit: 214 removal defense cases; increasing demand under Trump administration.

Fire Department (Willie McDonald)

  • Total appropriation: $243.7 million (31.4 million increase); no general fund, funded by property tax and contracts.
  • Service area includes unincorporated areas and contract cities; 550 staff, 27 stations.
  • Capital projects: new training center (Jan 2027), Station 7 (Jan 2027), Station 25 (Apr 2027).
  • Dispatch center project delayed; exploring interim solution. Concerns about property tax revenue contraction and city budget pressures.

Auditor-Controller (Melissa Wilk)

  • Total appropriation: $49.37 million (3.45% increase); net county cost decrease due to revenue decline from property transfer taxes.
  • Accomplishments: 42nd year of Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting; 90% customer satisfaction; recovered $5 million in delinquent debt; implemented AI model for racially restrictive covenant detection.

Treasurer-Tax Collector (presented by staff)

  • Net county cost increase of $105,755 (2.73%). Revenue decline expected from property tax and recording fees.
  • Key initiatives: migrating banking from US Bank to JP Morgan; ethical investment policy; purchasing Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae loans for local housing.

Registrar of Voters (Cynthia Carnejo)

  • Total appropriation: $33.88 million; net county cost decrease of $12.5 million due to high revenue election year.
  • November 2026 general election budgeted; special election for CD14 (June 16 primary, possible Aug 18 runoff) estimated cost $6 million (unfunded state mandate).
  • Youth voting: costs for Berkeley and Oakland youth voting were $148,000 and $78,000 respectively; lower turnout expected for future.
  • Implementing AB 626 (vote-by-mail your way) to improve processing.

Human Resource Services (Margarita Samora)

  • Total appropriation: $15.3 million; net county cost increase of $2.28 million (28%).
  • Key investments: recruitment automation, job fairs (500 pre-registered for April 24), wellness position, centralizing disability functions.
  • Challenges: meeting increased demand for services, 14 pending MOUs.

Library (Debbie Sica)

  • Total appropriation: $50.9 million (3.57% increase); net zero county cost, funded by property tax and available fund balance.
  • 1.4 million e-materials borrowed, 1.4 million library visits, 24,000 new cards.
  • Challenges: digital licensing costs rising; infrastructure needs; federal funding uncertainty (IMLS). Key programs: literacy, youth poet laureate, summer lunch, re-entry services.

Key Outcomes

  • Supervisor Fortunato Bas requested the CAO provide an accounting of trusts and reserve funds, similar to last year.
  • Supervisor Marquez emphasized the need for city partnerships on homelessness and tenant protections, and requested an economic impact analysis from Health.
  • Supervisor Tam requested clearer communication on restricted fund uses and asked for a report on RJA attorney workload.
  • Supervisor Miley expressed concerns about unfunded mandates, particularly Prop 36, and supported the sheriff’s EVOC track and substation.
  • President Halbert noted the public defender’s severe understaffing and asked for a plan to achieve parity over time.
  • No formal votes were taken; the work session serves as input for the proposed budget to be presented in late May 2026.
  • The board recessed into closed session earlier with no reportable action.

Meeting adjourned at 8:38 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call the meeting, uh special meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to order. This is Tuesday, April 14th. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish our quorum? Supervisor Marquez present supervisor TAM. Present. Supervisor Miley. Can you hear me? Yes. Supervisor Fortunato Baz present. President Halbert. Present. We have a quorum. Thank you very much, and thank you to Supervisor Miley participating remotely. Our first item up for the agenda is public comment on closed session items. We'll now take speakers in person and online for public comment on closed session items. I will note that the main portion of our meeting today is early budget work session. We will have presentations throughout the day, and we will have public comment on those items at the end of our presentations. But for now, public comment on closed session items. Will the clerk please call speakers? Chair Halbert, there are no public speakers for closed session items. Okay, very good. Then we will proceed. I note that we often would recess into closed session in the beginning of our meeting. We're not going to do that today. We will be taking a break and having closed session later in the meeting. But for now, we're going to proceed with our early budget work session. This is an item that we do every year. It's one of the hallmarks of our budget season. I'm going to now turn the meeting over to our chief administration officer, CAO Susan Moranishi to kick us off for today's early budget work session. Susan. Thank you, President Halbert. Members of the board. As you indicated, today is your board's annual budget work session, a key milestone in development of a balanced fiscal year 26-27 budget. Today you will hear from elected and appointed department heads who will each present an overview of their respective agency and departments, focusing on goals and key accomplishments, mandated and discretionary services, key investments in programs and services, and an overview of the preliminary maintenance of effort budget based on policies and guidelines adopted by your board. The preliminary MOE budget provides an early view of some of the changes expected next fiscal year due to salary and benefit adjustments, increased operating expenses and support costs, and decreases in revenue due to limited growth and or funding cuts. Some key issues and considerations for you to consider with regard to the preliminary maintenance of effort budget. Measure W funds are not included as they will be in this in a separate fund and will be incorporated into the proposed budget. We also are benefiting from one-time retirement savings resulting from your board's prepayment of pension liabilities. There are increasing workers' compensation costs in addition to rising litigation risks and costs, and there are adjustments to county council's budget structure and charges to general fund departments. There are also issues that require further review and analysis as we develop the proposed budget, including mandated and discretionary services, which are identified by all departments but not quantified by all. We are continuing our position review to better align funding with billed positions and we'll be reviewing salary savings. We will also be looking at program-wide revenues, particularly related to public safety, where those revenues are budgeted at the program level, not included in the departmental budgets. And there are a few other maintenance of effort issues and adjustments, including caseload and workload considerations. The work session today is an opportunity for your board to learn more about each of the department's operations, funding challenges, and pending factors. Given our reliance on federal and state funding, concerns about looming policy changes and funding cuts at the federal and state level are front and center and largely unknown. We will now set the context and provide background for today's hearing with a very brief update on state and federal issues, an overview of the MOE guidelines, next steps, and the budget calendar, as well as major pending factors. And I'm going to ask Rasley Tadeo to present that to your board. You've each received a binder that was just compiled minutes ago that includes copies of the presentations that will be presented and were prepared by each of the departments.

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