Alameda County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting – July 29, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, but the system instruction specifies July 29, 2026. This summary uses the instruction-provided date.

The Board of Supervisors convened a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. (starting about 15 minutes late) that ran over nine hours, including closed session, multiple open session items, and a set matter at 3:00 p.m. The meeting covered budget and capital planning, the Russell City Redress Fund, state audits of child welfare services, and the proposed Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs. Public comment was received on several items, and the board gave direction on future actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Closed Session: Kelly A. alleged Brown Act violations, including a 23-hour notice for a 1:00 p.m. meeting (below the required 24 hours), the use of decoy agenda items, and consistently late start times.
• Immigration Office (Item 4):
  • Alma Sidego (Global Communication, Education and Art / African Resource Center) requested that African immigrant populations be included in funding and services, noting that her organization serves over 500 people and handles deportation defense and know-your-rights education.
  • Desmond Jeffries (GCA) asked for a three-year, $450,000 annual African immigrant community stabilization initiative, pointing out that no African languages appear on the county’s website and that GCA served 1,700 individuals last year.
  • Jane Pack (Refugee and Immigrant Transitions) supported the office but urged the board to think beyond emergency mode and invest in long-term livability for refugee communities.

Discussion Items

1. Budget/Financial Updates (Item 1A)

County staff presented the final FY 2026-27 budget ($6.8 billion total, $4.3 billion General Fund), closing a $185 million gap with $93 million in retirement savings and $60 million in program reductions/efficiencies, though heavily reliant on one-time strategies. State and federal uncertainties were highlighted, including five November 2026 ballot initiatives affecting county revenue. Supervisors discussed the need for fee increases, reserve transparency, liability reduction, and better public communication.

2. 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (Item 1B)

The General Services Agency presented a $2.5 billion five-year plan (FY 2027-2031), with a $504 million funding gap after applying $410 million from the special capital construction fund. A detailed review of Santa Rita Jail projects (ADA, network infrastructure, health spaces, kitchen renovation, critical operations) was provided. Supervisors discussed issuing bonds, updating the facility conditions assessment (last done in 2018), and restarting the real estate master plan for the government center. Supervisor Miley and President Halbert called for a comprehensive needs assessment to support a potential bond measure.

3. Russell City Redress Fund Implementation (Item 2A)

Supervisor Marquez reported that Philanthropic Ventures Foundation will no longer serve as fiscal partner; instead, the County Auditor-Controller will hold and distribute funds, saving 2% in administrative fees. An MOU establishing the governance structure will be presented for approval on August 4, 2026. Two former Russell City elders (Jose Cota, age 104, and Jesse Mae Johnson) have passed away, underscoring urgency.

4. Social Services Agency Children and Family Services State Audits (Item 3A)

Assistant Agency Director Michelle Love updated on the state audit and CDSS on-site review. Seven of 15 audit recommendations are complete; the vacancy rate dropped from 32.8% (September 2025) to 21.2%. The corrective action plan is due to CDSS by October 1, 2026, and will run for 18 months. Recruitment remains challenging: in the latest hiring class, only 34 of 249 applicants for bachelor’s-level child welfare workers met minimum qualifications. Supervisors emphasized the need to support frontline staff, address redundancies in state mandates, and ensure child safety. Agency Director Andrea Ford expressed frustration with the state senator’s task force, which she said has made her a target.

5. Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs Implementation Study (Item 4)

Consultants Sangita Kumar and Alex Deshintel presented the CAB’s recommendations for a pilot office: a $10 million budget for two years, seven staff, and placement within the Social Services Agency (though the CAB advocated for an independent entity). Core functions include community partnerships, data analysis, policy coordination, and resource navigation. The board expressed support for the concept but raised questions about funding, coordination with existing services, and the need to address gaps for African immigrant communities. Supervisor Marquez noted that three positions are already funded.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: The board unanimously approved a $250,000 settlement in Chew v. County of Alameda (Case No. 24cv097781). No other reportable action.
• Capital Plan: Staff will dust off the real estate master plan and bring back a facilities conditions assessment to support a potential bond measure in the next one to two years.
• Russell City Redress Fund: The MOU will be voted on at the August 4, 2026 board meeting.
• Children and Family Services: The agency will formally accept CDSS recommendations by August 1, 2026, and continue monthly corrective action meetings. The board will discuss the topic at the upcoming board retreat.
• Immigration Office: The implementation study will be finalized with an appendix from SSA; the board retreat will include further discussion on funding and structure.