Alameda County supervisors accept $6.7 billion proposed budget for public review; hearings set for June 18–25

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to accept the County Administrator’s recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget for review and scheduled public hearings to begin June 18 and continue through June 22–25.

County Administrator (name not given) presented the plan as “a balanced recommended budget for fiscal year 26‑27” and described the $6.7 billion all‑funds spending plan and a general fund of about $4.3 billion. The administrator told the board the proposed budget closes a $91.4 million funding gap through a mix of ongoing reductions and one‑time solutions and noted the county workforce would total nearly 10,500 employees under the recommendation.

Why it matters: The plan directs large sums to community services, mental health and homelessness responses, and uses voter‑approved local revenue measures as a key funding source. The administrator said the proposed budget recommends roughly $984 million for community‑based services, including about $139 million for Alameda Health System, more than $800 million to strengthen mental health services, and approximately $288 million in Measure W allocations to the Home Together Fund and related homelessness efforts.

The budget presentation also highlighted countywide fiscal risks, including federal and state policy changes and slower revenue growth. The administrator warned that proposals such as HR 1 and state changes to in‑home supportive services could shift costs to counties and increase administrative burdens.

Board reaction and next steps: Several supervisors thanked staff and the County Administrator for producing a balanced plan and noted that prior voter‑approved measures and a recent supplemental pension payment helped reduce the county’s structural gap. The board approved a motion to accept the recommended budget for review and to schedule public hearings beginning June 18; the motion was moved and seconded and carried on roll call votes with Supervisors Marquez, Tam, Miley and Fortunato Bass voting aye and President Halbert recorded as excused.

What the budget does and does not do: The administrator said the plan includes both ongoing and one‑time balancing strategies — about $44 million in ongoing reductions and $48 million in one‑time solutions — and reported elimination of 45 funded but vacant full‑time equivalent positions as part of the savings approach. The administrator also emphasized that balancing strategies were designed to preserve core services and were not expected to result in layoffs.

The board will take public testimony at the scheduled hearings before deliberations and a planned adoption date later in the hearing schedule.

Vote at a glance: Motion to accept the fiscal year 2026–27 recommended budget for review and schedule public hearings starting June 18 — moved by Supervisor Miley; seconded by Supervisor Fortunato Bass; roll‑call yeas: Supervisors Marquez, Tam, Miley, Fortunato Bass; President Halbert excused.

No adoption occurred at today’s meeting; the board opened the public‑review period and set the hearing schedule as described above.