Alameda County supervisors press staff to return in July with Measure W funding options to avert food‑service cuts

Alameda County supervisors continued deliberations on the proposed FY 2025–26 budget on June 24 and asked staff to return in July with specific Measure W allocation options to address urgent food‑security and senior services needs.

The proposed budget presented to the board totals $5.1 billion in all funds; during deliberations Supervisor Meili asked the board to direct the county administrator and the Social Services Agency to include a Measure W request of $6,000,000 — with $4,000,000 aimed at the Alameda County Community Food Bank and $2,000,000 to restore contracts for senior providers. Meili also asked staff to develop a streamlined process for allocating a separate Vision 2036 supplemental allocation of $5,000,000 ($1,000,000 per supervisorial district).

The request followed extensive public comment at the prior day’s hearings urging the county to prevent service reductions. Andrea Ford, social services agency director, told the board that the $2,000,000 senior‑provider ask includes meals plus case management and other services and is distinct from the food bank contract. "It's not just meals for senior providers," Ford said; "it's a combination" of services.

Supervisors debated whether Measure W money could be tapped immediately rather than waiting for July allocations. One supervisor noted the Measure W fund balance and urged a one‑time use now to avoid service lapses: "We know that we're sitting on over $700,000,000 in that fund," the supervisor said. County staff cautioned that Measure W allocations were not agendized for the June 24 meeting and recommended that the board direct staff to prepare Measure W proposals for the July 22 discussion, or identify bridge funding within the proposed budget when possible.

Staff and supervisors also flagged a set of ARPA‑funded contracts that expire June 30 and may require short‑term bridge funding. Andrea Ford said four ARPA contracts serving people who are unhoused total $3,700,000 and that some providers may not need bridge funding because they have not yet been fully invoiced for current‑year money. Supervisor Fortunato Bass and his chief of staff, Dave Brown, said the food bank is interested in operating as a hub for prepared meals and noted a separate bridge funding request of roughly $650,000 to cover July–August operations while new contracts or Measure W allocations are finalized.

County Administrator (acting) told the board that staff will incorporate the board’s directives into the final budget letter prepared for the special meeting scheduled Thursday at 11 a.m. That summary will note the board’s instructions to refer Measure W allocation decisions to July, to include a recommended $4,000,000 for the food bank and $2,000,000 to address senior coalition contract reductions, and to develop a streamlined process for the Vision 2036 supplemental allocation.

Next steps: staff will return with a written recommendation and options tied to Measure W for the July meeting; the board is scheduled to vote on the final FY 2025–26 budget at a special meeting Thursday at 11 a.m.