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Committee backs plan to study creation of Office of Unincorporated Services, recommends consultant phase
Summary
Supervisors voted to recommend the Board of Supervisors authorize a consultant-led, phased design for an Office of Unincorporated Communities to centralize services and improve accountability in Alameda Countyunincorporated areas; proponents framed the office as a remedy to long-standing coordination and equity gaps.
Alameda County supervisors on Oct. 6 voted to recommend that the full Board consider a consultant-led, phased plan to design an Office of Unincorporated Communities intended to centralize coordination and improve services for the countyunincorporated communities.
Claudia Albano, deputy chief of staff to Supervisor Miley, presented a history of efforts to strengthen civic infrastructure in unincorporated neighborhoods and outlined three placement options for the proposed office: retain the status quo, locate the office in the County Administrators Office for cross-agency authority, or house it in the Community Development Agency. Albano recommended a Phase 1 engagement: a six-month consultant study to design the office, scope staffing and estimate costs; she estimated an operational start in fiscal year 2027-28 pending subsequent decisions.
Community speakers and community-based organizations strongly supported the proposal during public comment. Alina Farooq (Resources for Community Development), Sandra Archuleta, Leo Escalama (Miley and Voice), Bruce King (Friends of San Lorenzo Creek) and others urged the committee to approve the consultant phase to address chronic coordination, transparency and service gaps across Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Eden Area and other unincorporated neighborhoods.
Supervisors and planning commissioners debated placement, with several saying locating the office in the County Administrators Office would provide the cross-department authority needed to effect change. Several supervisors said their offices can temporarily support work but that an administrative center would provide continuity beyond individual offices. Supervisor Miley said his office would fund the Phase 1 consultant work (approximately $50,000) and emphasized the consultant would return with a phased implementation plan.
Action taken: The committee voted to forward a recommendation for Phase 1 (consultant design) to the full board for consideration at an upcoming planning meeting.
