More services are coming to East County after Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors vote to allocate millions of Measure X sales tax dollars to building East County nonprofit capacity, an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, and an additional youth center.
Measure X generates more than $100 million annually for Contra Costa in order to, in the wording on the November 2020 ballot, “keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services.”
This fall, the County identified about $4.7 million in Measure X ongoing funds and nearly $900,000 in one-time funds that had not been spent in the previous fiscal year, which ended in June. That provided the community an opportunity to speak up for their priorities, and the Measure X Community Advisory Board recommended investments to help underserved communities.
With Tuesday’s vote by the Board to reallocate these unused Measure X funds, there will be huge benefits to East County:
- $1 million for the creation of an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, which has been advocated for in the community;
- $1,693,000 toward the startup costs of three county youth centers (bringing the total dedicated to $15 million);
- $1 million over 3 years for East County nonprofit capacity building;
- $750,000 over 3 years to fund spay and neuter programs with Contra Costa Animal Services.
Countywide, there are also additional funds for parks in unincorporated areas; firefighter training; mental health services; diversity, equity and inclusion; and food security.
It will take time for these programs and projects to ramp up, but I will continue to make sure Measure X dollars benefit East County.
The following information was provided by Supervisor Diane Burgis via her newsletter
Previous Stories
- Dec 12 – Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to Consider Tax Allocations
- Nov 28 – Contra Costa County to Receive Update on Measure X Spending
- May 23 – Contra Costa County Looks to Approve $5.515 Billion Budget
- May 2 – Contra Costa District Attorney and Public Defender Get Budgets Increases
- April 20 – Contra Costa Releases Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Recommended Budget
5 comments
Measure X was/is, in short, a mechanism to generate a slush fund that can be directed as local politicians see fit. If we’re gong to have such ballot measures, I’d prefer ones with more sharply focused spending.
As she realizes her seat is at stake, she makes a move. How long have East County (Pitt-Byron) been asking for services? One may argue before she got here, yet many would argue since she got here. Better late than never, we guess.
Her seat is not at stake, no one is choosing to run against her. She has a free ride to another 4-years.
I heard her slogan is “Make Antioch Great Again”
Another four years of Burgis guarantees east county will continue to starve for county improvements. Terrible roads, Vasco will continue to be blood alley, all rural roads will be litter dumps, sheriffs spread thin, total lack of infrastructure improvements. More of the same.
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