Alameda County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Alameda County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Russell City Redress Fund and Phase 1 Implementation
Supervisors Márquez and Miley each pledged $250,000 to the fund compensating families displaced when Russell City was destroyed in the 1960s. Phase One applications are open until November 2, and the county, Hayward, and the Office of Education have all contributed.
Reparations committee becomes permanent
The ad hoc reparations committee is now a standing policy committee, chaired by Nate Miley with Elisa Márquez as a member, tasked with implementing the Reparations Commission's recommendations with the first meeting targeted before year's end.
Flock Surveillance Technology and Data Privacy
The Board approved a ten-year, no-cost license letting the Sheriff install drone docking stations on the Fire Station 23 rooftop for its Drone as First Responder program.
Saint Rose Hospital's dependence on a delayed IGT payment
Saint Rose has drawn $10 million of a $25 million line of credit and will be out of money by February if CMS doesn't approve its $38 million intergovernmental transfer. Supervisors Márquez and Tam pressed for answers; the hospital's birthing center remains suspended.
Immigration Enforcement and Rapid Response
The boards heard an hour of angry testimony over ICE's six-day presence at Highland during a warrantless arrest and hospitalization of a patient. Supervisors demanded a factual report; a public critical incident review was agreed to within about 30 days.
Impacts of Federal H.R. 1 on Local Safety Net Programs
Federal legislation H.R. 1 introduces strict work requirements and redetermination rules for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, threatening to strip health and food assistance from tens of thousands of Alameda County residents. Social services leaders warned that the changes will increase county administrative burdens, raise the county's CalFresh cost-sharing ratio, and overwhelm local indigent health programs like Health Pack as newly uninsured residents turn to emergency rooms.
County-AHS lease renewal and efficiency study
A 30-year, $1-a-year lease renewal is being fast-tracked to qualify for a dental clinic grant, and the long-promised efficiency study RFP is finally moving toward award — Supervisors Miley and Haubert pressed hard on the timeline, hoping for results by spring 2027.
Alameda Health System Funding and Layoff Mitigation
AHS just posted a $62.3 million profit thanks to a $109.5 million state settlement, but projections show losses of $95 million in FY 2028 and $123 million in FY 2029 once the MCO tax expires and HR 1 cuts land. That means tough budget decisions are coming within two years.
Ethical Investment Policy Implementation
Residents debated the county's ethical investment policy and whether to immediately implement it or await an independent peer review of its financial impact.
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex Sale and Redevelopment Negotiations
In closed session, the county continued private negotiations over the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and Arena Complex with three parties: Oakland Acquisition Company, Coliseum Way Partners, and the City of Oakland.
Measure W Essential County Services Funding & Excess Tax Allocations
The county approved nearly $53 million in Measure W Home Together funds to support 10 affordable housing projects, creating hundreds of permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness.
Relocation of the IOP/PHP behavioral health program
A program that was slated for closure under budget cuts was saved through the county-AHS ad hoc committee process and will move from Highland to Fairmont in November — though staff testified the move feels rushed and logistically unready.
Pedestrian and bike safety funding
A $100,000 state traffic-safety grant went to Public Health for West Oakland, but Supervisor Miley wants similar funding and crash data for unincorporated communities where pedestrian and bike injuries have occurred.
Firefighter behavioral health support
The Fire Department is extending counseling services for firefighters after a rough year that included the suicide of Hayward firefighter Travis Foster. Chief McDonald said usage is strong and an RFP will follow next year.
Homelessness and Housing Initiatives
A public speaker accused the county of displacing older adults and failing to build affordable housing, saying he's ready to build homes on family property but has been blocked.
Military Leave Benefit Calculation and Policy
The spouse of a deployed Sheriff's deputy told the Board the county's 2001-era rules count non-taxable military housing allowances as income, stripping her family of supplemental pay and health benefits. She asked the Board to fix the calculation as it extends military leave benefits under item 25 — other Bay Area counties already do.
Expansion of Child Abuse Forensic Interview Services
County leaders are advancing major organizational assessments and state audit responses for the Department of Children and Family Services to improve child safety and workforce stability.
Support for Proposition 40 Wealth Tax and Health Funding
Public speakers and committee recommendations highlighted the urgent need for Proposition 40 to generate state revenue and prevent severe healthcare and Medi-Cal funding cuts.
Indigent Care Health Realignment Funding Transfer
The board authorized transferring $49.5 million in state health realignment funds to Alameda Health System to support healthcare delivery for indigent residents.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County Budget
Alameda County is facing a $91.4 million preliminary funding gap for the upcoming fiscal year due to rising labor, internal service, and workers' compensation costs combined with flat revenues. County administrators emphasized that aggressive pension prepayments saved the county from an even worse $185 million deficit. Staff will work with department heads to find spending cuts and revenue enhancements before presenting a balanced budget in late May.
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Training
Elected officials and department heads participated in emergency response orientation training to understand their governance role during natural disasters and emergencies.
Home Together 2030 Homelessness Plan & Shelter Stabilization
County officials reviewed ongoing operations and updates regarding the local homelessness system.
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Implementation Study
The county approved over $5.3 million to extend legal defense, know-your-rights training, and rapid response networks for immigrant and refugee residents facing federal enforcement actions.
Fair Board Appointment and Agricultural Representation
The board and county staff are actively negotiating lease amendments with the Fair Association by the September 30 deadline to tighten code compliance, transparency, and agricultural priorities.
Unincorporated Alameda County Minimum Wage Initiative
The board reviewed an economic impact study on a voter-initiated measure to establish a $30-an-hour minimum wage in unincorporated areas. Supervisors voted to place the initiative on the March 2028 ballot while referring the matter to the Unincorporated Services Committee to explore a potential competing measure.
Election Guide
Get up to speed on the upcoming November election with this handy guide covering all the key local races and ballot measures in Oakland. It breaks down everything you need to know so you can cast an informed vote without spending hours researching.
Street Vendor Enforcement
Hayward and Alameda County are joining forces to crack down on unlicensed street vendors. If you walk the local sidewalks, expect to see tighter enforcement on food safety and business permits.
Boards and Commissions Streamlining
Supervisors reviewed the county's 116 boards, commissions, and committees to cut red tape, eliminate dormant groups, and save staff time. Two supervisors will partner with county administration to bring back a reduction plan by December.
Board Operating Procedures and Meeting Efficiency
The Board discussed modernizing their 35-year-old operating procedures to make meetings more efficient, predictable, and transparent for the public.
County Workforce Compensation and Vacancy Rates
The county is negotiating terms with various labor organizations and unrepresented management personnel, which could impact county budget and services.
County Workforce Vacancies and Recruitment
The county is working on filling the leadership position for the Registrar of Voters office.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2027-2031)
General Services Agency presented a $2.5 billion five-year capital improvement plan addressing county facilities, deferred maintenance, and major capital projects, including extensive upgrades at Santa Rita Jail.
Reparations Plan
Alameda County just approved a new reparations plan that's going to shake up how local tax dollars and resources are handed out. Expect to see big changes in county policies as they try to tackle historical equity gaps.
Ultra-Light Rail Freight Transit System
Supervisors backed an innovative rail freight and underground utility network to move cargo from the Port of Oakland and reduce truck traffic on Interstate 880.
Firearm Safe Storage Ordinance
The county is moving forward with a new rule requiring gun owners in unincorporated areas to lock up their firearms to protect children and prevent accidents or suicides.
Alameda County Reparations Commission Final Report
The Reparations Commission delivered its comprehensive final report and 44 recommendations addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities in housing, health, and criminal justice. The board voted to receive the report and establish a standing committee to begin implementing structural reforms.
Mental Health Services and Public Health Clinic Staffing
Community members and advocates raised concerns regarding mental health program funding, suicide prevention, and resources for vulnerable populations.
Behavioral Health and 'Care First Jails Last' Funding
Numerous representatives and workers from peer-run mental health organizations testified about devastating proposed budget cuts under Proposition 1 and the Behavioral Health Services Act, warning that key community programs face elimination.
Senate Bill 707 Brown Act Modernization Compliance
County staff presented implementation requirements for Senate Bill 707, which modernizes the Brown Act by mandating two-way video and audio for remote meetings, technology disruption policies, and ADA accommodations.
Measure D Open Space and Agricultural Regulations
The county approved funding for a professional poll to gauge voter opinions on potential changes to Measure D, the 2000 initiative protecting open space and agricultural lands in East County. Agricultural advocates argue current rules are too restrictive and harm local farming and the wine economy, while environmentalists and open space defenders warn against weakening protections.
Opposition to State Legislative Overreach via Senate Bill 1193
The board strongly criticized and voted to oppose SB 1193, a state bill targeting Alameda County's discretionary funding processes for nonprofits, viewing it as retaliatory and an unnecessary state overreach.
Peregrine Software Contract Expansion
The county approved a $723,000 contract expansion for Peregrine Technologies data software, sparking major community debate over mass surveillance, data privacy, and potential links to federal immigration enforcement.
Unincorporated Fireworks Ban Ordinance
The board introduced an ordinance to ban fireworks across unincorporated areas of Alameda County in an effort to prevent destructive fires ahead of the July 4th holiday.
Lawsuit Over Tax Measure
A local taxpayer group is suing the city, alleging that officials and labor unions illegally teamed up to pass a new tax measure. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could throw future tax plans and city-labor relations completely out of whack.
Senior Nutrition Program Funding and Contract Transitions
Residents and advocates raised concerns about potential service gaps and tight timelines when transitioning senior meal delivery and nutrition contracts as four-year RFPs are released.
Opposition to Reopening FCI Dublin for Detention
Community members and supervisors overwhelmingly voiced opposition to turning the former federal women's prison in Dublin into an ICE detention center or correctional facility, citing severe human rights violations and negative community impacts.
Epic Electronic Health Record Implementation
The county approved over $36 million in contracts to install an Epic health record system across county health facilities and Santa Rita Jail, aiming to improve medical care coordination.
Outpatient Behavioral Health Program Closures
AHS proposed closing outpatient behavioral health wellness programs and intensive outpatient programs at Highland and Fairmont hospitals, displacing dozens of staff and affecting hundreds of patients with severe mental illness. Speakers testified that alternative community facilities lack capacity and cannot adequately absorb these patients, risking increased homelessness, psychiatric hospitalizations, and incarceration.
Alameda Alliance for Health 30th Anniversary Commendation
The board commended Alameda Alliance for Health for providing 30 years of comprehensive health care coverage to over 400,000 county residents.
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month Proclamation
The board proclaimed January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, highlighting collaborative efforts by the District Attorney's office and community organizations to support survivors and combat trafficking.