Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

CA State Parks opens applications for nearly $190 million in Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program grants

By Leave a Comment

Primrose Park in Temple City, created with the help of Statewide Park Development Community Revitalization Program (SPP) funding, opened in February 2025. The new 1-acre park features a playground, group picnic area, open lawn, walking track, outdoor exercise equipment, public art and mural areas, flower sculpture water feature, landscaping, and parking. Photo: CA State Parks

For cities, counties, districts, joint powers authorities, nonprofit organizations

Round 5 Application Period deadline: Dec. 17, 2026

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is inviting eligible applicants throughout California to apply for Round 5 of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), funded by Proposition 4 (2024 Climate Bond). The competitive grant program is designed to expand access to outdoor recreation by funding new parks and improvements to existing parks in critically underserved and climate-vulnerable communities. Approximately $188.5 million is available statewide, and applicants may request up to $8.5 million per project. Applications are due Dec. 17, 2026.

“Having access to outdoor spaces is critical for all Californians, and this Climate Bond investment will contribute to improving the quality of life for many people who seek local parks to improve their physical, mental and social well-being,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We are proud to continue investing in projects that expand access to outdoor recreation and help ensure more people can enjoy the many benefits of nearby parks.”

The program supports park projects in communities with limited or no access to nearby public outdoor recreation. It supports the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All Initiative by reducing barriers for communities that have historically faced challenges accessing nature and outdoor recreation.

Key Details

  • Grant Purpose: Supports the acquisition and development of new parks and the renovation or expansion of existing parks in critically underserved and climate-vulnerable communities.
  • Deadline: Dec. 17, 2026, before midnight.
  • Grant Amount: $188.5 million statewide; up to $8.5 million can be requested per application.
  • Criteria: Eligible applicants include cities, counties, districts, joint powers authorities and nonprofit organizations.
  • Application Process: Applicants must first submit an online application to State Parks by the due date.
  • Application Assistance: State Parks will host virtual and in-person workshops throughout the state to help applicants prepare their application. Visit the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program webpage for workshop dates, times and locations, and registration information.

If you have specific questions about a potential project, please contact your county’s assigned Competitive Review Project Officer.

About the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program

SPP is the largest park-related grant program in California’s history, with more than $1.2 billion in funding awarded through the 2018 Proposition 68 and 2006 Proposition 84 Bond Acts, along with state General Funds. With the addition of Round 5 funding through the Climate Bond, SPP is anticipated to surpass $1.3 billion in total park investments supporting critically underserved communities throughout California. Under the Newsom Administration, the program has invested $802 million in 174 park projects.

To help capture the legacy and impact of these investments, “before and after” site photos are featured on Parks for All Californians gallery page at parksforcalifornia.org.

About the Office of Grants and Local Services

California State Parks’ Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) develops grant programs to fund projects for local, state and nonprofit organizations. Since 1964, nearly 8,000 community parks throughout California have been created or improved with OGALS grant funding investments. Since 2000, this state program has administered approximately $4.4 billion in grant funding across the state. View recent projects here: Parks for All Californians: Projects Gallery and Map.

California State Parks and the recreational programs supported by its divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide the opportunity for families, friends, and communities to connect. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, camping, rock climbing, tours, hikes, school group enrichment, and special events are just some of the activities enjoyed in 280 park units organized into 21 field districts throughout the state. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

City of Clayton to hold first of two Town Hall meetings Aug. 26

By Leave a Comment

Source: City of Clayton

Learn about finances, Landscape and Maintenance District

After council placed one-percent sales tax, landscape maintenance assessment measures on November ballot

By City of Clayton

We have a couple of Town Hall meetings coming soon. On August 26 and October 7 (both are Wednesdays), join us from 6-8 pm to learn more about the City of Clayton’s financial picture and the Landscape and Maintenance District.

In June, the Clayton City Council voted unanimously to place a one percent (1%) local sales tax measure on the November ballot as Measure M.

The language reads, “CITY OF CLAYTON SALES TAX MEASURE. To provide local funding to maintain City of Clayton programs, services, and facilities, including: police services, traffic enforcement and road safety, road and sidewalk improvements, enhance library and recreation opportunities, park maintenance, recruitment and retention of city employees and other city services, shall the City of Clayton levy a 1% sales tax until ended by voters generating approximately $1,000,000 annually, subject to public review, the annual audit and all funds benefitting Clayton?”

On July 7, the Council voted unanimously to also place on the November ballot a renewal of the Landscape and Maintenance District as Measure N. The language reads: “CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE EXTENSION AND ALTERATION OF RATE OF EXISTING SPECIAL TAX. Shall the measure to fund on-going trail system operations and maintenance, roadway landscaping, open space weed abatement, and related services of the Clayton Community Facility District No. 2007-1 (Citywide Landscape Maintenance) by extending the special tax for ten years and amending its rate and method of apportionment of the special tax to $354.54/year per residential and $354.54/acre per non-residential parcels, for FYs 2027-2037, including annual inflationary adjustments to the special tax rates not to exceed 3% per year, and subject to continued citizen’s committee oversight, be approved?”

In City Manager Kris Loftus’ August Newsletter he wrote, “Like many California communities, Clayton faces rising costs, aging infrastructure, increasing service demands, and limited revenue growth. These challenges require responsible financial decisions and careful stewardship of public resources. Our focus remains on maintaining essential services, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring the City’s long-term financial sustainability.”

To learn more before the meeting, check out the City Manager’s Newsletters on our website – https://www.claytonca.gov/317/City-Manager-Newsletter.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CA State Parks opens applications to expand outdoor spaces through federal Land & Water Conservation Fund grants

By Leave a Comment

Completed project improvements at Temescal Regional Park in Oakland include renovated fishing piers, upgraded erosion protection, improved accessible parking and restrooms, and a new accessible picnic area. The project was completed by East Bay Regional Park District with support from LWCF funds. Photos: CA State Parks

Application deadline: Jan. 14, 2027

What you need to know: Eligible public agencies can apply for up to $6 million per project through a federal grant program aimed at expanding access to outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities.

By California Dep’t of Parks & Recreation, Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is inviting eligible public entities across California to apply for funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, which is offering approximately $27.5 million in grants. The program helps agencies acquire land and develop parks and recreational amenities that support the health and wellness of communities. Applications are due by Jan. 14, 2027.

“Access to parks and outdoor recreation helps Californians live healthier, happier lives,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Grants such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund empower communities to invest in outdoor spaces that will provide these benefits for generations to come. We encourage all eligible applicants across the state to take advantage of this opportunity to help create more open spaces in their communities.”

This funding opportunity aligns with the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All Initiative, which aims to expand access to Californians’ great outdoors.

Key Details

  • Grant Purpose:Supports projects to acquire or develop parks prioritizing recreational opportunities.
  • Deadline: 14, 2027, before midnight.
  • Grant Amount: Around $27.5 million in total available statewide; up to $6 million can be requested per application.
  • Criteria: Eligible applicants include cities and counties, federally recognized Native American Tribes, Joint Powers Authorities, park districts, and special districts with the authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas.
  • Application Process: Applicants must first submit an online application to California State Parks by the above due date and time. State Parks will review the applications and forward selected projects to the National Park Service for final review and approval.
  • Application Guide Review: California State Parks will host virtual and in-person workshops to review the LWCF Application Guide meant to help applicants prepare their application. Visit the State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund webpage for workshop dates, times and locations, and registration information.

If you have specific questions about a potential project, please contact your county’s assigned National Park Service Grants Project Officer.

About Land and Water Conservation Fund

Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964, the funding helps safeguard the nation’s natural areas, water resources, and cultural heritage. The Act intends to provide all Americans with recreation opportunities by developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF program in California has funded more than 1,600 projects totaling $395 million. View recent projects here: Parks for All Californians: Projects Gallery and Map.

About the Office of Grants and Local Services

California State Parks’ Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) develops grant programs to fund projects for local, state and nonprofit organizations. Since 1964, nearly 8,000 community parks throughout California have been created or improved with OGALS grant funding investments. Since 2000, this state program has administered approximately $4.4 billion in grant funding across the state.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Transparent California completes 2024 compensation data collection

By Leave a Comment

Background graphic: Transparent CA

State’s largest free database of public employee pay and pension information

New website is live – faster, mobile friendly and 100% ad free, giving 10 million users a clearer look at government pay and spending.

By Transparent California Staff

Transparent California, the state’s largest database of public pay and pension data, has now obtained 2024 data covering over 93% of employee compensation and pension payments in our state. This includes state, county, city, school district, and special records. Our team has collected almost 3 million compensation records documenting $278 billion in total pay and benefits, and 1.5 million pension records with $64 billion in payments. Since launching over a decade ago Transparent California has now collected and posted over 50 million compensation and pension records. All available free at http://transparentcalifornia.com.

This year we’ve made that site easier to use. Users report they love our site changes and web traffic has seen a tremendous increase, to over 2 million page views a month.

Did you know in 2024 149,065 public employees made total compensation exceeding a quarter-million dollars a year? For more detail on what we’ve found in this data, go to our website and click on News and Updates for a summary.

And if you have a specific interest in an agency of our government, click “Get notified” on that agency’s page and you’ll get a notice when new data is posted.

Transparent California’s data collection schedule is determined by the State Controller’s Office reporting requirements. The inordinate delays allowed by the state, as well as significant resistance from some of the agencies involved, is why we’re just now wrapping up 2024.

Assembly Bill AB1821, if passed, would extend the time for a response from 14 calendar days to 14 “business days”, effectively be three weeks. This may sound small, but that deadline only applies to a “response”, not to provision of the actual records requested. Our legislature continues to ignore the current legislation has no defined deadline for production of the actual records, nor does it impose any penalty on agencies for delaying the process (or declining to respond altogether) even if the requester files a lawsuit and wins.

Transparent California’s Director of Research, Todd Maddison, notes “As we see more tax increase proposals appearing, we’re focused on giving the People the data they deserve to see how their existing tax dollars are being spent, so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

Photo: Transparent CA

On July 10, the organization announced its new website.

A faster, ad free tool that makes government salaries and spending easier to find, and harder to hide.

Ten million people a year visit Transparent California to look up a city salary, a pension payout, or an overtime number that doesn’t add up. For a decade, that’s been the only way for regular taxpayers to see where their money actually goes.

The old site made that harder than it needed to be. It was cluttered with ads, slow to load, and difficult to use on a phone. Worse, the public records it published were often months out of date by the time they reached the public. That delay served the bureaucrats who’d rather keep taxpayers in the dark. It didn’t serve anyone else.

What’s New

Transparent California just relaunched with a complete redesign, and the improvements go far beyond a new coat of paint.

The new site is ad free, for now, thanks to generous donors who believe taxpayers shouldn’t have to dig through banner ads and pop ups just to see how their money is spent. That means no clutter standing between users and the data. It’s also built for mobile, so anyone can search a government employee’s salary or an agency’s budget from their phone in seconds. And the records themselves now publish faster, cutting down the months long lag that used to separate a public record from the public.

The result is a search tool that actually works the way taxpayers need it to: quick, clean, and current.

Why It Matters

Government salary and pension data has always been public information. The problem was never access on paper, it was access in practice. Burying records in a slow, ad choked, outdated system is its own kind of opacity.

A faster, cleaner Transparent California means a reporter can find a story in minutes instead of hours. It means a parent, a small business owner, or a retiree checking on their local government doesn’t need special skills to find what they’re looking for. Good government starts with the public actually being able to see what government is doing, and this update closes a gap that had been open for years.

A Decade of Results, Backed by Nevadans and Californians

Transparent California isn’t new. For twelve years, its salary and pension data have been cited by major news outlets across California and the United States to expose government waste. That reporting has helped identify hundreds of millions of dollars in questionable spending, money that taxpayers have a right to know about.

The project has never taken a dollar of government funding. It’s funded entirely by people who believe the public has a right to see how public money is spent, which is exactly why it answers only to the truth, not to any agency it covers.

What’s Next

The redesigned platform isn’t just built for California. It’s built as a modular blueprint that can expand to other states, creating a wider network of public salary and spending data that taxpayers everywhere can use.

Take a look at the new Transparent California and see what ten million users already know: when government spending is easy to find, it’s a lot harder to hide.

Explore the new Transparent California website

Keep It Ad Free

The ad free experience only lasts as long as donors keep funding it. Every gift helps cover the cost of running the platform without selling space to advertisers, so the site stays focused entirely on public accountability, not corporate banners.

Transparent California depends on the generosity of individual donors to enable this collection. Anyone with a specific interest in a particular agency can sponsor collection of their data and support the effort to provide the public with this service.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former Pleasant Hill Tourism district V.P. faces felony grand theft embezzlement, bribery charges

By 2 Comments

Viola Ncube. Source: LinkedIn

Following $55,000 loss, year-long investigation; worked remotely

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

After a year-long criminal investigation, felony charges have been filed against a former employee for the Pleasant Hill Tourism Improvement District, known as Visit Pleasant Hill, in connection with an embezzlement and bribery scheme.

In July 2025, the City of Pleasant Hill received a report from a contracted company regarding possible fraud involving former Tourism Improvement District Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sibongile Viola Ncube. The Pleasant Hill Police Department subsequently began an investigation.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department determined that Ncube overcharged invoices and bills paid by the Tourism Improvement District (PHTID) and received unauthorized monetary kickbacks. The fraudulent activity occurred between September 2022 and July 2025 and resulted in an estimated loss of approximately $55,000.

The Pleasant Hill Police Department requested assistance from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, including a forensic review of bank statements and related financial records. Following its review, on July 24, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed two felony charges against Ncube, 641.3(a) PC – Commercial Bribery and 508 PC – Grand Theft Embezzlement.

Ncube is scheduled to be arraigned in court later this month.

The PHTID was formed by the City Council in January 2017. According to the Visit Pleasant Hill 2024-25 Annual Report the District assesses all lodging businesses available for public occupancy located within the boundaries of the City of Pleasant Hill. According to the organization’s LinkedIn profile, it is the “Destination marketing organization advancing Pleasant Hill’s visitor economy,” which, according to their Facebook page, “provides official visitor information and promotes local businesses, experiences, and events in Pleasant Hill, CA.”

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ncube worked in the position with Visit Pleasant Hill remotely from May 2023 to August 2025, after starting as Director of Sales & Marketing from April 2020 to April 2023. She has since worked remotely on a contract as Director – AI, Sales & Marketing for Aspire Hospitality from Aug. to Oct. 2025 and now works as Director of Sales & Marketing Omni Hotels & Resorts, full-time since Oct. 2025.

She earned a MBA in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management from Oxford Brookes University in 2003 and an Associate’s degree in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management from City St George’s, University of London in 2000. Ncube also earned a credential in Advanced AI in Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute in 2025 and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Certified Professional from Destinations International Issued in 2022.

Her Facebook page shows Ncube’s last post was in June 2025. It also shows she lives in Los Angeles, is the Founder and CEO of My Black Beauty Box and The Black Book Consultant, still works for Visit Pleasant Hill, and references the Bible verse Isaiah 55:5.

According to an undated report by Black Meetings & Tourism, “Viola has held VP and Director roles specializing in the luxury hotel brands, holding key positions such as Regional Sales Manager with Accor Hotels (3200 hotels), then moving to Director of Sales with the prestigious hotel group Red Carnations (16 global hotels) before joining US based L.E. Hotels (400+hotels) as Director of Business Development – EMEA. Viola then joined the luxury Pineapple Hotels firm as Director of Corporate Sales before being head-hunted in 2011 to set-up Global Hospitality Services for a private investor, a hotel sales & marketing representation company, where she held the position of Vice President.

“Viola Ncube founded The Black Book Consultant in 2017, a boutique full-service management, sales & marketing consulting agency specializing in a curated selection of luxury hotels and DMO’s worldwide. The Black Book Consultant has since acquired several contracts within its first few years of operation, including managing the $300 million dollar opening of Svart.no and Melody Maker Cancun. Viola is currently contracted as VP of Sales & Marketing with Stay Pleasant Hill, the tourism district for the city of Pleasant Hill, CA.

“In 2012, Viola founded iROCK! UK, a social enterprise, an empowerment program, mentoring women into employment & business enterprise.”

The Pleasant Hill Police Department extends its appreciation to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for its thorough forensic review and assistance throughout the investigation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Travis Credit Union awards over $40,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors 

By Leave a Comment

Including 7 Contra Costa recipients

By Kristin Schaeffer, Piccadilly

VACAVILLE, Calif. —  Travis Credit Union (TCU) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Scholarship. In recognition of their academic achievements and dedication to community service, 20 Northern California graduating high school seniors, with seven in Contra Costa County, will receive a $2,000 scholarship to support their college education.

The TCU Community Impact Scholarship program has awarded more than $677,000 to over 400 students since it was established 22 years ago, reinforcing the credit union’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders through education and civic engagement.

“We are proud to support these outstanding students as they embark on their next chapter,” said Kevin Miller, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union. “Their hard work, resilience and passion for giving back to their communities truly embody the spirit of Travis Credit Union’s Community Impact Scholarship.”

The 2026 winners are:

Contra Costa County

Preet Singh – Hercules High School

Gabrielle Love – Ygnacio Valley High School – Concord

Mia Garcia Arce – Concord High School

Mary Sakshita Reddy Yeruva – California High School – San Ramon

Lola Abdugapparov – Middle College High School – San Pablo

Javier Gutierrez – El Cerrito High School

Saira Trehan – Monte Vista High School – Danville

Solano County

Jamison Abrenica – Dixon High School

Taylor Connelley – Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy

Anika Jadhav – Benicia High School

Daniel Gonzalez – Fairfield High School

Mary Alyssa Glaiza Nuñez – Will C. Wood High School

Isabella McNelis – Vacaville High School

Jadyn Voorwinden – Vanden High School

Emily Sanchez – Armijo High School

Napa County

Hunter Knight – Napa High School

Yolo County

Aidan Rieger – Davis Senior High School

Mia Borges – Winters High School

Merced County

Colette Collins – El Capitan High School

Owen Reed – Atwater High School

The scholarship program is open to all high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are credit union members and pursuing higher education. The money may be applied toward tuition, supplies or other costs associated with attending college. Each winner was required to submit a completed application, a certified high school transcript and a written or recorded personal statement describing their background, academic goals and post-college plans.

For more information about Travis Credit Union and its services, please visit www.traviscu.org.

About Travis Credit Union

Since 1951, Travis Credit Union focuses on improving the lives of our members. As a full-service financial institution, TCU helps members reach financial goals as their trusted local partner throughout their financial journey. Today, TCU is the 12th largest credit union in California, with 270,000 members and $5 billion in assets. We use financial strength to champion financial education and advocacy, earning recognition at the national, state and local levels. This includes being certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026, being named one of Newsweek’s Best Regional Credit Unions in 2025, U.S. Air Force Distinguished Credit Union of the Year, and one of Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union.

MTC/ABAG award $8 million for environmental and community projects

By Leave a Comment

McNeil Park Project. Source: City of San Pablo

$500K for San Pablo park

Grants support Plan Bay Area goals

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission in June awarded $8 million to 16 Bay Area projects through the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program. These grants support the goals of Plan Bay Area, the region’s long-range plan for housing, the economy, transportation, and the environment.

The PCA Grant Program is a key tool used by MTC and ABAG to protect and enhance natural and agricultural lands, expand public access to open space, and invest in climate resilience and community-driven environmental stewardship. The 2026 awardees reflect a diverse mix of planning, restoration, acquisition, and access projects across all nine Bay Area counties.

These 16 projects were awarded after a multi-step application and evaluation process that initially received over 50 proposals requesting nearly $36 million in funding.

  • McNeil Park (City of San Pablo) – $500,000 to transform a vacant school site into a multi-benefit community park with recreation amenities, green infrastructure, and inclusive design features.
  • Wooden Bridge Replacement Feasibility Study (City of Alameda) – $500,000 to plan replacement of a critical Bay Trail connection threatened by sea level rise and aging infrastructure, serving over 1,000 daily users.
  • Restoring Connections: Deep East Oakland Community Stewardship, Creeks, & Shoreline Access (Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation) – $450,000 to advance community-led stewardship, outdoor learning, and improved shoreline access in urban neighborhoods.
  • Canal Boatyard Urban Park Connection (City of San Rafael) – $800,000 to plan a new shoreline park and pedestrian bridge in the Canal neighborhood, improving access to open space in an Equity Priority Community.
  • Resilient Suscol Creek: Climate-Ready Habitat Planning (Napa County RCD) – $440,000 to develop restoration designs to improve climate resilience and ecological function across approximately 100 acres of habitat.
  • Twin Peaks Promenade – Bay Area Ridge Trail Connection & Habitat Restoration (San Francisco Recreation & Park Department) – $500,000 to convert a former roadway into a multi-use trail with habitat restoration and improved Ridge Trail connectivity.
  • Fire & Flora: Resilient Foothills Initiative (Grassroots Ecology) – $210,000 to reduce wildfire risks and restore native plant communities while training volunteers and workforce participants.
  • Bay Trail SFO Gap Closure Project – Phase 1 (San Mateo County Transportation Authority) – $600,000 to advance design and environmental review for a 2.5-mile segment closing a major gap in the Bay Trail.
  • Highway 17 Wildlife & Ridge Trail Crossings and Connections (Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) – $750,000 to reconnect wildlife habitat and close a critical gap in the Ridge Trail with new crossings and trail construction.
  • North Coyote Valley Wildlife & Trails Study (Peninsula Open Space Trust) – $250,000 to evaluate trail alignments that balance recreation access with wildlife connectivity in a regionally significant corridor.
  • Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Outreach & Awareness Campaign (UC Cooperative Extension) – $200,000 to build public support for agricultural land conservation through storytelling, education, and community engagement.
  • Farm to Market Phase 4 (Solano County Department of Resource Management) – $800,000 to improve multimodal access to agricultural areas, supporting local farms and active transportation options.
  • South Fork Gualala River Acquisition (Western Rivers Conservancy with Kashia Band of Pomo Indians) – $750,000 to protect 298 acres of river corridor and redwood forest, supporting habitat restoration and Tribal cultural uses.
  • Petaluma River Park (Petaluma River Park Foundation) – $550,000 to advance design and construction of a new riverfront park featuring habitat restoration and expanded recreational access.
  • Osprey Hill Ranch (Sonoma Land Trust) – $450,000 to plan a public trail network across a 365-acre coastal property while protecting sensitive natural and cultural resources.
  • Improving Habitat Quality and Bike/Ped Connectivity on PCA Creeks (City of Sonoma with Sonoma Ecology Center) – $250,000 to enhance creek ecosystems while improving regional trail safety and connectivity.

The PCA Grant Program—funded through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program and administered by the San Francisco Estuary Partnership—has supported more than 85 projects and invested over $46 million in conservation and access improvements across the region since its inception in 2013.

 

Contra Costa County Historical Society receives $45,000 donation from California Foundation for Stronger Communities

By Leave a Comment

By Contra Costa County Historical Society

Martinez, CA – June 17, 2026 – The Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCCHS) proudly announced a generous donation of $45,000 received in April 2026 from the California Foundation for Stronger Communities (CFSC). This vital funding fuels the Society’s mission to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the rich records and heritage of Contra Costa County.

The CFSC donation is made possible by the Board of Directors of the California Foundation for Stronger Communities, a California non-profit public benefit corporation that acts as the Board of Directors for the California Municipal Finance Authority (“CMFA”). Their goal is to strengthen local communities by assisting with the financing of economic development and charitable activities throughout the state. The donation received by CCCHS is a direct result of the services CMFA provides to local governments, non-profits, and businesses.

The CMFA offers financing for public infrastructure and development projects.

According to the CMFA website, their “mission is to support economic development, job creation and social programs throughout the State of California while giving back to California communities. By supporting our member communities and their local charities with a portion of the revenue generated through the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt bonds for public, private and non-profit entities, the CMFA is able to directly contribute to the health and welfare of the residents of California.”

“The CMFA shares 25% of all issuance fees directly with its member communities. In addition, a grant equal to 25% of the issuance fee is made to the CFSC to fund charities designated by the member communities. A portion of the annual fees received by the CMFA will also be directed to charitable activities within California communities.”

As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Historical Society relies heavily on the generosity of philanthropic foundations and the ongoing involvement of the community. Gifts like this do much more than simply fund daily operations; they serve as a lifeline that keeps the County History Center running. This critical support allows the Society to ease the strains of month-to-month expenses and focus on long-term goals.

Thanks to this impactful donation, CCCHS can continue to expand its digital collections, improve online access, and increase staff-guided archival workstations. Furthermore, this support empowers the Society to expand public programming, such as the new “Archive Yourself” program, and push forward with a capital campaign to acquire a larger, more modern facility to accommodate ever-growing collections.

“Community partnerships and foundation grants are the backbone of our organization,” said LeighAnn Davis, Executive Director of the Contra Costa County Historical Society. “Support like this not only keeps our doors open and our archives accessible today, but it ensures we can preserve our local history for generations to come. We are incredibly grateful to CFSC and CMFA, and we invite the public and local businesses to join them in supporting our ongoing mission.”

Founded in 1951, the Contra Costa County Historical Society serves as the steward of the County’s archives and the administrator of the County History Center. The History Center houses the largest collection of historical records in the County, serving as an invaluable resource for journalists, scholars, genealogists, and students.

Community support is essential to keeping these historical doors open. To learn more about visiting the History Center, volunteering, or making a donation to support local history, please contact the Center at (925) 229-1042 or visit the Contra Costa County Historical Society website.

Opinion: CoCoTax says vote no on Measure G – a $1.88 billion burden Contra Costa can’t afford

By Leave a Comment

All graphics & charts source: CoCoTax

By Mike Arata

On June 2, Contra Costa County voters will decide whether to saddle themselves — and their children — with the largest bond debt in the history of the Contra Costa Community College District (4CD). Measure G asks for $920 million in new borrowing. With interest, the true cost climbs to $1.88 billion, with final payoff projected in 2059. CoCoTax has opposed this measure in official ballot arguments, in public presentations, and in a detailed response to a recent article in the Contra Costa College Advocate.

The case against Measure G is straightforward: it is far too much money, sought too soon given outstanding bond debt, by a district that hasn’t demonstrated the fiscal discipline to deserve it.

Already Drowning in Debt

4CD still owes on three bond measures as is:   2002’s Measure A ($120 million), 2006’s second Measure A, ($286.5 million), and 2014’s  Measure E ($450 million) —  totaling $856.5 million in principal alone. County taxpayers still owe nearly $727 million on those existing obligations, with the final payment on Measure E not expected until 2039. Measure G would pile $1.88 billion more on top of all that. If it passes, total bonded indebtedness reaches $2.61 billion, secured by Contra Costa County property values — with no senior exemption.

Enrollment Is Down 28% — Yet They Want to Build More

4CD advertises “nearly 50,000 students,” but that figure is misleading. California’s actual funding metric is Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES). According to the State Chancellor’s October 2025 FTES Report, 4CD’s count was just 21,940 — down 28% from 30,648 when Measure A passed in 2002. Expanding costly new facilities while enrollment trends sharply downward is the opposite of responsible stewardship.

“Deferred Maintenance” — Deferred Forever?

Roofing repairs, seismic retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and electrical work appear repeatedly in 4CD bond project lists going back to 2002. How many bond measures must pass before these basics get done? There’s a core problem: 4CD’s maintenance budget has crept from just 0.10% to 0.20% of Plant Replacement Value over the past decade, when the commercial building standard is 2–5%. Routine maintenance gets deferred so the general fund can support other priorities — including lavish administrative compensation — and then bond money pays for the fixes, with interest on top.

Executive Pay That Outstrips the Governor’s

While seeking $920 million in new principal from taxpayers, 4CD’s Chancellor drew a $404,238 salary (as of 2024) — plus $130,674 in benefits, for total compensation reaching $548,112. That salary alone exceeds the official pay of the President of the United States and far surpasses Governor Newsom’s $245,929.  Vice Chancellors, College Presidents, and Directors also earn hundreds of thousands in total compensation. Lavish pay and lean maintenance are two sides of the same General Fund coin.

Who’s Funding “Yes on G”?

The pro-Measure G campaign has raised nearly $400,000 so far — with the bulk coming from the tax-exempt Contra Costa College Foundation ($100,000), the DVC Foundation ($50,000), and multiple construction unions (IBEW Local 302, Plumbers Local 159, Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, and others). Contractor unions have a direct financial interest in a $920 million construction program. Ordinary property-tax-paying residents have no equivalent organized voice — a textbook example of what economists call “Public Choice Theory.”

The Bottom Line

Property owners already pay an average of $13.97 per $100,000 of assessed value toward 4CD’s existing bonds. Measure G adds another $10 — and that rate could rise if the county’s assessed values don’t grow at the 4% annual pace 4CD projects, projections that, by 4CD’s own admission, “are not binding upon 4CD.”

4CD should maintain its existing buildings with its existing budget rather than repeatedly turning to taxpayers for borrowed billions. Vote NO on Measure G.

More information: NOonMeasureG.info

Arata is an Executive Committee member of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

Upcoming Events

CoCoTax Lunch, June 26: Former State Senator Steve Glazer Discusses BART Accountability
Friday, June 26, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT

CoCoTax Lunch, July 24: County Budget Overview with County Administrator Monica Nino
Friday, July 24, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT

For more information about the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association visit cocotax.org.

Rep. Garamendi secures critical infrastructure wins for Californians in BUILD America 250 Act 

By Leave a Comment

Congressman John Garamendi. Official photo

Will invest in roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation and highway and motor carrier safety programs over five years

By Cameron Niven, Communications Director, Office of Congressman John Garamendi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, May 22, 2026, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, secured critical wins for California in the bipartisan Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act) (H.R.8870). This five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill will invest in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation and highway and motor carrier safety programs.

“America’s economy is nothing without our infrastructure,” said Rep. Garamendi. “I’m proud to have secured essential provisions in the BUILD America 250 Act that will improve the lives of my constituents as much as the roads they drive, the bridges they cross and the trains they ride. This bipartisan bill will restore our aging bridges and repair crumbling roads to build out safe, accessible transit and bike infrastructure.”

The total funding authorization in the bill is about $580 billion over FY2027–FY2031 and will replace the expiring Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding approved in 2021.

“No legislation of this scope is perfect, and while I am disappointed it does not include all my amendments, I am committed to building on the work that has been done and I am glad that this Committee was able to come to an agreement that will benefit Californians,” Garamendi continued.

The BUILD America 250 Act includes several key provisions authored by Congressman Garamendi:

The “Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act” with Senator Padilla, Senator Cornyn and the late Congressman LaMalfa (H.R.4847)

  • Extends deadline for construction obligation for highway projects funded through the Emergency Relief Program from two to four years. This will ensure state and local governments have adequate time to fully utilize federal funds awarded to repair roads damaged by disasters

Key provisions from his “Transportation Emergency Relief Funds Availability Act” (H.R.3193)

  • Extends the obligation deadline for Emergency Relief Program funds for public transportation projects from two to five years. This will afford state and local governments the time and certainty needed to complete these projects efficiently and responsibly.

Key provisions from his “Expedited Federal Permitting for California Act” (H.R.4908)

  • Permanently extends the program that allows states that have assumed the responsibility for environmental reviews to make approvals for projects under state laws rather than the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This commonsense reform will simply let certain federally funded transportation projects make use of existing state permitting processes without the need for a redundant, less stringent federal environmental review.

Key provisions from his “Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act” with Congressman Bost (H.R.4170)

  • Requires USDOT to carry out a study on best practices for addressing corrosion on weathering steel bridges, as well as the frequency and method of inspecting corrosion on steel bridges. Corrosion costs the United States billions of dollars every year while putting public safety at risk. The persistent corrosion of our roads and bridges needs to be addressed with the urgency this issue demands.

Key provisions from his “Airport TIFIA Certainty Act” (H.R.6168), with Congressman Hurd

  • Reauthorizes the TIFIA credit assistance program and preserves the 15% allowance for airports. This ensures low-interest federal financing remains available for critical airport projects. Sacramento Airport recently received a $36.1 million TIFIA loan to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades for California travelers.

An overview of the major provisions in the BUILD America 250 Act is included below:

Investing in Safe, Reliable, Accessible, and Affordable Transit

The nation’s transit systems provide a safe, affordable and environmentally friendly means of travel for millions of Americans. Transit agencies are modernizing service to meet the needs of communities post-pandemic; making investments in safer and more reliable systems; and working to ensure accessibility for all. The BUILD America 250 Act continues the federal government’s partnership in these efforts through robust funding, new worker protections, and streamlining provisions to deliver transit projects faster.

Keeping the Focus on Safety

The BUILD America 250 Act seeks to build on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s focus on safety by investing in state and local safety projects, addressing the safety of all road users, and insisting on evidence-based strategies to save lives. This bill:

  • Guarantees $3.75 billion in funding for the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program which provides local communities with competitive federal funding for safety action plans and demonstration projects. More than 75 percent of the country is covered by a SS4A safety plan; five more years of funding will ensure many more communities can turn their safety vision into a reality.
  • Protects the 10 percent Transportation Alternatives program (TAP) set aside (the main source of formula funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure) within the Surface Transportation Block Grant program. Retains a requirement that states invest a significant portion of TAP funds based on population, ensuring small and under-served communities maintain access to these dollars.
  • Allows local communities to use Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) dollars as the local match for TAP. This provision, which comes from the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, will help

Safe Integration of Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicles

The BUILD America 250 Act creates the nation’s first-ever regulatory framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles, harnessing the benefits of innovation without sacrificing safety, jobs, or accountability on our roads.

This legislation directs the Secretary to establish a performance-based safety standard that manufacturers and operators of commercial vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) must meet in order to operate in interstate commerce.

To ensure this standard is nuanced, rigorous and pro-safety, the bill convenes a broad panel of more than 13 critical stakeholders––including safety organizations, labor unions, industry groups and academic experts––to set the safety standard’s requirements and adapt current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, ensuring ADS-equipped commercial vehicles are subject to the same safety and performance standards as any other commercial vehicle.

Taken together, this framework is built on three fundamental pillars: Safety, Qualified, and Robust Work Force, and Accountability.

Supporting Local Communities

The BUILD America 250 Act provides nearly $83 billion over five years in Highway Trust Fund highway and multimodal funding to local communities. The bill continues several competitive grant programs for local governments to directly apply for funds; provides Metropolitan Planning organizations with a path to become direct recipients of federal planning funds; and improves the flow of funds to communities of all sizes.

Garamendi represents California’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives which includes a majority of Solano County and portions of Contra Costa County.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.