Letter: Brentwood Employee Associations Express “Serious Concerns” Over City Manager

On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will hold a special meeting where it will discuss a public employee performance evaluation of City Manager G. Harold Duffey.

Ahead of the public employee performance evaluation, various Brentwood Employee Associations have written a letter expressing concern over Duffey regarding text messages that were recently released while he worked for the City of Oakland. The letter also cites that members of the Brentwood Employee Associations have expressed discomfort and concern regarding interactions with City Manager Duffey, and its impact on the City organization.

Here is a copy of the letter:

May 23, 2026

Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,

On behalf of concerned members of the various Brentwood Employee Associations, we are writing to express serious concern regarding the recent public reporting involving City Manager G. Harold Duffey, as well as incidents at the City of Brentwood workplace that have been reported to the City’s Human Resources Department relating to gender based discrimination.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for upholding respectful workplace standards and ensuring employees feel safe, supported, and professionally valued. Executive leadership sets the tone for the organization. When conduct of this nature becomes public, it can negatively affect morale, confidence in leadership, and the overall workplace environment across departments.

The City Council recently adopted City Council Administrative Policy No. 20-23 Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, which is intended to ensure that all members of the community and workforce are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Members of the Brentwood Employee Associations have expressed discomfort and concern regarding interactions with City Manager Duffey, and its impact on the City organization. Given the seriousness of the matter, we respectfully urge the City Council to consider this information while conducting City Manager Duffey’s performance evaluation, as well as immediately initiate an independent third-party review.

This request is not intended to prejudge any outcome or findings. Rather, it reflects the importance of transparency, accountability, and maintaining employee trust and confidence in City leadership during this process.

We appreciate the Council’s attention to this matter and its commitment to maintaining a respectful and professional workplace environment for all City employees.

Sincerely,

Brentwood Employee’s Association Miscellaneous Office Division
Brentwood Employee’s Association Public Works Division
Brentwood Supervisors and Professionals Employee’s Association

Editors Notes:

Previous

• May 19, 2026 – Oakland Councilmemebr Ken Houston Statement on City Administrator Resignation
• Oct 2025 – Brentwood Agrees to City Manager Hire, Council Scolds Social Media Chatter
• Oct 2025 – Brentwood Set to Finalize City Manager Hire, Reduce CCW Fees
• Oct 2025 – Brentwood to Consider G. Harold Duffey as Next City Manager

Stories From Around the Web

• Oaklandside.org: ‘Take the handcuffs off’: Texts show Oakland officials privately cheering Supreme Court ruling on homeless sweeps
• Yahoo: Oakland city administrator resigns after ‘degrading’ texts about female subordinates surface
• KTVU: Oakland city administrator resigns over ‘degrading, unprofessional’ texts
• Oaklandside.org: Justin Johnson Resigns
• San Jose Mercury: Oakland top staffer resigns in fallout from ‘degrading’ text messages
• SFGate: Oakland’s city administrator resigns after alleged ‘degrading’ communications

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