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Board approves Measure X Phase 2 innovation awards; community appeals center on racial equity and a denied application for African American male‑centered work
Summary
The county administrator recommended funding seven Phase 2 Measure X Innovation Fund projects; the board accepted the recommendation and authorized use of $12,455 from prior unallocated funds to fully fund the awards. The decision followed extensive public comment urging funding for NAMI Contra Costa’s 'Lifting Up Voices of the Most Harmed' proposal and an eligibility protest by Bridge Builders; CAO denied both appeals and the board voted 4–0 to accept the recommendations.
The County Administrator’s Office presented Phase 2 of the Measure X Innovation Fund March 25, recommending full funding for seven of nine eligible Phase 2 proposals (total $1,962,455). Because the sum slightly exceeded the Phase 2 allocation of $1,950,000, CAO staff recommended using $12,455 from an unallocated balance remaining from Round 1 so recommended projects could be fully funded rather than prorated.
The independent seven‑member review panel—drawn from funders, county staff and advisory boards and including members who represent communities of color—interviewed ten finalists and ranked proposals using published evaluation criteria and a SMART goals framework. Staff emphasized the panel’s preference for full awards over partial funding and that recommendations were unanimous across most panelists; one panelist abstained.
Two appeals were filed after the packet was published. NAMI Contra Costa appealed on procedural grounds, saying a staff program summary misstated its target age range and that interview questions disadvantaged the proposal; the CAO acknowledged a summary error but said panelists relied on full proposals and interviews for scoring and upheld the recommendation. Bridge Builders (represented by Dr. Shimon Wright) argued its program was ineligible because it is an existing program in the County; the panel and CAO concluded the proposal did not meet the Innovation Fund’s eligibility rules (the fund is for new or demonstrably innovative pilots in the County) and denied that appeal.
Large public comment followed; more than 60 speakers urged the board to fund work lifting up African American male voices and voiced frustration about racial disparities in selection outcomes. Speakers emphasized early‑age intervention, mentorship, mental‑health supports, civic engagement and local representation in leadership of funded programs.
After board discussion about process, panel composition and the equity implications of award decisions, supervisors accepted the CAO’s recommendation and approved the seven grants, authorizing the use of $12,455 from the unallocated reserve to fully fund the recommended projects. The motion passed 4–0. Staff will proceed to contract development and aim to have agreements in place by May 1 and projects running through June 30, 2026, with final evaluation and reporting to the board the following September.
What’s next: Staff to execute contracts tied to milestone payments, provide quarterly public progress reports and CAO to coordinate appeals and transparency materials. The board asked the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and the Measure X Community Advisory Board to continue exploring funding strategies and options to support programs focused on African American males and other highly impacted populations.
