Alameda County approves $149,000 polling contract to gauge voter views on Measure D

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on June 4 approved a roughly $149,000 contract with Team Civics to conduct countywide polling and feasibility analysis related to Measure D, a long‑standing voter initiative that limits development on rural unincorporated land.

President Halbert moved the funding allocation and approval of the procurement contract and associated resolution; Supervisor Miley seconded the motion. The board took a roll-call vote: Supervisor Marquez voted aye, Supervisor Tam voted no, Supervisor Miley voted aye, Supervisor Fortunato Bass abstained and President Halbert voted yes. The motion carried.

Why the board considered the contract: Community Development Agency staff told supervisors the contract would provide a countywide baseline of voter awareness and identify narrow, voter‑friendly amendments to Measure D that could address concerns raised by agricultural stakeholders about unintended consequences for farming and agritourism. CDA staff said the procurement returned a single responsive bid of about $149,000 and asked the board to approve a sole‑source waiver to avoid delays that could preclude receiving results before the November ballot‑setting deadlines.

Public comment was sharply divided. Several farm owners and agricultural advocates urged the board to proceed so officials can "understand what residents actually think before deciding whether there is a responsible path forward," as Griffin, who described his family farming in unincorporated Alameda County, told the board. By contrast, conservation and civic‑association speakers warned against using public funds to alter voter‑approved protections. Glenn Kirby, speaking on behalf of Mission Peak Conservancy–aligned interests, said the measure "is an effort by [the president’s office] to use public funds to create a strategy for a ballot measure that would weaken and even nullify the intent of the voters." Several commenters demanded that the county publish the full poll methodology and all question‑level responses if the contract proceeds.

Supervisors asked staff to commit to transparency. President Halbert and County Counsel both said poll results would be made public to the extent required by law; County Counsel cautioned that certain proprietary methodologies could be withheld if legitimately protected, but the results themselves would be subject to public records rules. Supervisor Fortunato Bass said she wanted sample questions or broader stakeholder input before endorsing the expenditure and indicated she would likely abstain; Bass ultimately did abstain.

Staff and board members reiterated that approving the contract does not place any amendment on the ballot. County staff and several supervisors emphasized the poll is intended to inform potential next steps and that any change to Measure D would still require voter approval.

Clarifying details: staff stated the procurement returned one bid for approximately $149,000 (staff also referenced a prior, similar contract that had been run at higher cost); an independent Tri‑Valley poll cited in the meeting found 76% support for preserving open space locally, but CDA staff said that poll was limited to a subregion and that a countywide survey would measure views across Alameda County’s diverse districts.

The board approved the contract and directed staff to share results with the public consistent with legal obligations and to return with the contract deliverables once polling is complete.

What’s next: CDA will manage the polling contract and return to the board with findings; supervisors said the poll results should be shared publicly and could inform whether to pursue further stakeholder engagement or narrow amendments to Measure D.