This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Who
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
What
On Nov. 16, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved its first expenditure plan for over $128 million in funds generated through Measure X. Passed by the voters in 2020, Measure X raises the local sales tax by a half cent. A Measure X Community Advisory Board recommended funding priorities in accordance with the ballot language “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers; provide timely fire and emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential county services benefitting county residents.” Hospital Council participated in meetings of the Measure X Community Advisory Board, particularly in support of funding for Contra Costa CARES, a local program providing access to primary care services for undocumented adults.
Takeaway/Next Steps
The approved expenditure plan includes funding for several priorities of importance to hospitals: implementation of a new comprehensive initiative to improve behavioral health crisis response, permanent supportive housing and other measures to address housing insecurity and homelessness, and the county hospital. It also establishes a one-time $2 million Innovation Fund. There is a placeholder for Contra Costa CARES funding beginning in fiscal year 2022-23 pending the outcome of a new planning group, of which the Hospital Council is a member.