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Supervisors authorize $48,000 scoping study for Office of Unincorporated Communities
Summary
The board authorized use of $48,000 in District 4 funds to hire a consultant for a six‑month scoping study to design a potential Office of Unincorporated Communities to coordinate services and address environmental justice, infrastructure and representation gaps in Alameda County's unincorporated areas.
The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13 authorized $48,000 from District 4 to retain a consultant to lead a six‑month scoping study for a possible Office of Unincorporated Communities.
Claudia Albano, deputy chief of staff to Supervisor Meili, said the study would analyze structure, staffing, duties, funding and engagement across urban and rural unincorporated areas, noting prior community work (Eden Area collaborations and municipal advisory councils) and data showing higher poverty, pollution burdens and poor health outcomes in several unincorporated census tracts.
Supervisor Miley framed the request as the next step in long‑running efforts to strengthen civic infrastructure in unincorporated communities. He said the consultant would produce recommendations in roughly six months and that any office would likely not be operational until fiscal year 2027–28. Colleagues across the board expressed support for a phased, community‑centered approach.
Dozens of residents and community organizations spoke in favor of the scoping study during public comment, including representatives of neighborhood groups, Eden United Church of Christ and community‑based organizations that urged institutionalized coordination and an ombudsman to help residents navigate county services.
The board approved the motion by roll call (Ayes: Marquez, Tam, Meili, Halbert; Supervisor Fortunato Bass excused). Next steps include procurement of a consultant and community engagement measures during the scoping period.
