Board takes public comment on ethical-investment proposal, continues item to Dec. 10

Hundreds of people and dozens of speakers addressed the Alameda County Board of Supervisors during a one-hour public-comment block on Nov. 12, urging opposing outcomes on a proposed directive to the county treasurer to develop an ethical investment policy.

Supporters — including union representatives, health-care workers and faith leaders — urged supervisors to direct the treasurer to screen or divest county investments from companies they say enable human-rights abuses. "I implore the board of supervisors to vote yes on Supervisor Carson's letter to direct the county treasurer to develop an ethical investment policy that would end these investments," said Hillary Chen, a member of the Oakland Education Association, during public comment. SEIU and other unions also urged divestment, citing companies named by speakers such as Caterpillar and others.

Opponents said the proposal was rushed, potentially performative, and could harm county finances. "It is a solution looking for a problem," said Hillary Kilimnik, a Berkeley resident who urged the board to focus on local issues including roads, public safety and homelessness instead of the proposed policy. Several speakers raised implementation concerns — for example, whether divestment from firms embedded in major indexes would meaningfully change outcomes or could jeopardize state contracting.

Board members acknowledged the strong public interest and a mix of legal and budgetary concerns. After discussion the board announced the item will be continued to Dec. 10 to give staff time to prepare a redlined draft and to allow more stakeholder input. The chair stated the continuance would give staff and supervisors time to reconcile implementation details, reporting requirements and any necessary legal review before returning to the full board.