Board directs process for $1.47 million in unallocated Measure X funds, approves study and targeted grants

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on June 10 directed county staff to pursue a coordinated needs assessment and to move forward with a set of recommended priorities for $1,470,000 in unallocated Measure X one-time funds, approving the plan unanimously.

County Finance Director Adam Nguyen told the board the discussion focused on “next steps regarding $1,470,000 in unallocated Measure X funds.” Nguyen described the proposal to hire an external consultant to run community town halls, synthesize department-level performance data and produce an objective package for the board and the Measure X Community Advisory Board to use in future decisions. He said a consultant fee of about $250,000 was the working estimate.

The board heard extended public testimony urging direct spending on housing stability, rental assistance and food security and from the Measure X Community Advisory Board chair, Roxanne, who said the board-appointed advisory group had already worked for months on priorities and supported a rigorous, resident-centered approach. Roxanne described the board advisory body’s interest in “shared population indicators” and results-based accountability as the framework for measuring impact.

Several public commenters pressed the board to allocate funds for rental assistance and front-line prevention programs. Caitlin Tsai, CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, described recent cuts to federal and state food programs and urged county support. Keep People Housed and tenant-advocacy organizations detailed local demand and asked for additional rental assistance to prevent evictions.

Supervisors discussed options including dedicating part of the balance to boost the countywide COLA for existing Measure X allocations, funding a consultant-led needs assessment, and setting aside targeted dollars for specific priorities such as services for African American males, parent-peer supports for families of young children with developmental delays, and food security grants. Chair Candace Anderson said she wanted a consultant-led needs assessment that would include town halls, surveys and a synthesis of departmental data.

After discussion the board approved a motion (moved by Supervisor Ken Carlson, seconded by Supervisor Diane Bergus) to: (1) authorize a neutral consultant-led needs assessment process (approximate budget estimate $250,000), (2) allocate targeted one-time sums toward priorities discussed in the meeting record, and (3) request staff to return with a more detailed workplan and procurement approach. The motion passed unanimously.

The board directed staff to work with the Measure X Community Advisory Board and the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice to co-design the study and to bring back a recommended consultant scope, schedule and procurement plan prior to any contract award.

The board also agreed to continue a parallel conversation about how to prioritize one-time Measure X monies against other one-time funds the county holds, including prior ARPA-related reserves. Supervisors said they want the consultant to present a countywide synthesis of existing department outcomes so the public and the board can see where Measure X investments have produced measurable results and where gaps remain.

The board is expected to receive the consultant scope and procurement schedule in a future staff report and to schedule a study session on the needs-assessment approach and Measure X evaluation methodology.