Provided by the Contra Costa Budget Justice Coalition
On June 24, 2025, the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $14,729,868 in remaining COVID-19 FEMA Reserve/American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds—$1 million to each district and $9.7 million for countywide use. During that meeting, each Supervisor committed to hosting town halls to gather community input on needs and priorities, with findings to be discussed on October 21st.
How would you spend $1 million to promote equity and address economic and health disparities in each county district? Please attend a town hall and provide your input. This is the most direct form of advocacy available. Need ideas? See the list developed by the Contra Costa Budget Justice Coalition and its partners following the schedule of meetings given below.
These town hall meetings are an opportunity for you to provide direct input to your county supervisor. You can also complete the county survey; your input will help determine the priorities of residents in allocating one-time funds for urgent community needs throughout the County. Click this link, or scan the QR Code on the fliers that are linked.
Town Hall Meeting Schedule
Each supervisor has developed their own process to hear from constituents about how these dollars should be spent to improve and enrich their communities. You can find the complete schedule below—please consider attending to share your voice and uplift the urgent needs of those who may not be able to make these events. Follow RSVP instructions if they are provided.
District 1 – West County, John Gioia
All Supervisor Gioia’s town halls are hybrid: both in-person and via Zoom. You can RSVP HERE. Light refreshments will be served to those attending in person. Click here to download the District 1 flyer. RSVP at this link: CCIF-RSVP
- Tuesday, September 23 — 5:00–7:00 PM YOUTH-ONLY EVENT (Ages 13–24) | RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave., Richmond
- Tuesday, September 30 — 6:00–8:00 PM | Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St., Pinole
- Thursday, October 2 — 5:30–7:30 PM | St. Peter CME Church, 5324 Cypress Ave., El Cerrito
- Monday, October 6 — 1:00–3:00 PM | RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave., Richmond
- Thursday, October 9 — 6:00–8:00 PM | San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave., San Pablo
- Saturday, October 11 — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave., Richmond
District 2 – Southwest County, Candace Andersen
Supervisor Andersen will hold two more in-person town halls (the first took place on September 10). Click here to download the District 2 flier. Please RSVP to SupervisorAndersen@bos.cccounty.us.
- Monday, September 15 – 6:00–8:00 PM | Danville Community Center, 420 Front St., Danville
- Wednesday, September 24 – 6:00–8:00 PM | Lafayette Veterans Hall, 3780 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
District 3 – Southeast County, Diane Burgis
Click here to download the District 3 flier.
- Thursday, September 25 — 6:00–7:30 pm | Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave., Oakley
District 4 – Central County, Ken Carlson
Supervisor Carlson took a different approach: he invited community-based organizations to apply for mini-grants, ranging in amount from $10,000–$100,000. The application deadline was September 26. You can contact his office to find out more: SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us
District 5 – Northeast County, Shanelle Scales-Preston
- Monday, September 29 — 6:00–7:00 PM | Pittsburg City Hall, 65 Civic Ave., Pittsburg
- Tuesday, September 30 — 6:00–7:00 PM | Martinez City Hall, 525 Henrietta St., Martinez
- Wednesday, October 1 — 6:00–7:00 PM | Hercules (location TBD)
Ideas to raise in the town hall meetings
While you can offer any suggestions relevant to your area and priorities, the Contra Costa Budget Justice Coalition has been advocating for the following deep needs to be met using these funds:
- The Contra Costa Collective Care Fund is a public/private partnership to meet the immediate needs of our most vulnerable residents
- Rental assistance to help vulnerable families stay housed, including immigrants and other low-income residents
- Programs to support youth and young adults who are facing housing and economic insecurity, per the recent report and recommendations from the County Health Department’s Youth and Young Adult Advisory Board
- Allocating a portion of the funds to be distributed via a robust Participatory Budgeting Process that places the decision-making at the community level and is guided by a rigorous, inclusive, and transparent process.
