During a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Antioch City Council will again discuss the 2026-27 budget and vote on joining a new joint powers authority (JPA) to fulfill state-mandated stormwater treatment obligations. Formation of the JPA could lead to new property tax assessments. The Council will also vote on spending over $7.7 million on various City expenditures including $500,000 on new furniture for the Police Department and Animal Services.
Budget Study Session
The Budget Study Session will begin at 6:00 p.m. to discuss and provide feedback and direction to City staff regarding the budget development information provided for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. Worksheets for Special Revenue, Capital Project, Internal Service, Antioch Public Finance Authority and Housing Successor to the Antioch Development Agency Funds. Enterprise, Street Light and Landscape, Recreation and Animal Service Fund budgets will be presented at a future meeting.
Closed Session
Before the regular meeting, the Council will hold a Closed Session beginning at 4:30 p.m. to discuss potential litigation and the new City Attorney’s Performance Evaluation. Since Lori Asuncion just started in the position on March 2nd, the meeting will most likely be to discuss goals and the council’s desires for her upon which she will later be evaluated.
The Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance System Joint Powers Authority for Off-Site Green Stormwater Infrastructure flow chart. Source: Contra Costa Clean Water Program
Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance System Joint Powers Authority for Off-Site Green Stormwater Infrastructure(Say that three times!)
Under agenda item 5, the Council will discuss and vote on joining the new Contra Costa County Regional Alternative Compliance (RAC) Joint Powers Authority (JPA), an innovative, regionally supported approach to fulfilling state-mandated stormwater treatment obligations. Developed through a partnership between Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (“San Francisco Bay Water Board”), the RAC System provides an off-site, alternate compliance mechanism for the Off-Site Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) that would normally be required on site.
According to the City staff report for the item, the council vote will include authorizing the JPA to establish one or more community facilities districts (CFDs), accept applications from property owners, annex properties to the CFD, and levy special taxes to finance on-going maintenance costs for the GSI.
Participation in the RAC JPA will require the City of Antioch to contribute to the JPA’s annual operating cost.
According to the RAC’s webpage, “The Regional Alternative Compliance System (RAC) is a revolutionary new funding system that provides a market-based, regional approach to stormwater treatment. Developed by the Cities of San Pablo and Walnut Creek, unincorporated Contra Costa County, and the Contra Costa Clean Water Program,the RAC is a first-of-its-kind model that provides sustainable long-term financing for larger, more strategic, regional green infrastructure projects.
“Instead of requiring each individual infrastructure project to handle stormwater on-site, developers can purchase “compliance units” in larger, shared green infrastructure facilities. This improves efficiency, directs resources to pollution hotspots (often in disadvantaged communities), and creates a dedicated funding stream for long-term maintenance. It’s a scalable solution for stormwater managers across California and beyond.”
Who is RAC For?
Developers
Some development and redevelopment sites may have constraints (size, steep grades, etc.) that make it difficult to build on-site stormwater treatment. When a project has difficulty building MRP-required stormwater treatment on-site, it can use the Contra Costa County RAC System to comply with the MRP.
Municipalities
Municipalities may purchase compliance units to comply with MRP Provision C.3.j impervious surface retrofit requirements. Additionally, municipalities with Regulated Projects, such as large road reconstruction projects, could use the Contra Costa County RAC System to comply with the MRP. Municipalities may also act as “sellers” through the Contra Costa County RAC System.
Non-profits
Non-profits or other environmental organizations may be interested in building GSI facilities that can be partially funded by selling compliance units through the Contra Costa County RAC System.
Contractors
Developers or contractors may be interested in building Off-Site GSI Projects to generate compliance units that can be sold through the Contra Costa County RAC System.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RAC
The RAC System is backed by $1.6M in U.S. EPA grants. RAC is being piloted now and will expand countywide by 2026, setting a model for stormwater managers across California.
At the beginning of the regular meeting, the Council will receive two presentations. The first is a Technology Assessment & Roadmap Presentation from Tenjumps. The firm was hired by the City to “first assess the current state of the existing technology, then determine the desired future state, and create a roadmap to achieve it.”
The roadmap includes the following steps:
Fully adopt the NextRequest System for the Public Record Act request process, standardizing PRA management by transitioning all cross-department activity from email-based process into NextRequest.
Implement an agenda management system to manage City Council and public meeting agendas , materials, and actions items
Migrate business licensing function from LicenseTrack to Tyler Enterprise Permitting & Licensing software. It provides financial, human resources and revenue management solutions for cities, counties, and special districts;
Establish automated interfaces across systems that capture revenue into the central revenue sub-ledger within Tyler ERP Pro (Enterprise Resource Planning);
Complete the remaining implementation of Trimble Unity Maintain for the water treatment plant and decommission MobileMMS usage. According to the company’s product brochure, it is “cloud-based, GIS-centric enterprise asset management software that enables owners of complex properties and infrastructure to increase efficiency and reduce costs by optimizing asset operation and maintenance”;
Enable city departments to submit and track service requests to Public Works through Unity Maintain;
Centralize and automate manual human resources reporting to eliminate current manual processes and provide HR with accurate and automated daily reporting;
Create a technology enabled workflow to catalogue and track approvals for contracts to replace manual, email-based contract routing;
Create a structured framework to guide how the City identifies, evaluates, and acquires software systems; and
Establish a technology training program to empower city staff to better utilize everyday productivity tools along with specific functional tools essential to their departments.
The Closed Session will begin and the Budget Study Session and regular meeting, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 200 H Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. It can also be viewed via livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast Cable Channel 24 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99 and a recording posted later on the City’s YouTube Channel.
ANTIOCH, CA — The City of Antioch began its annual weed abatement program on March 30, 2026, with work continuing on or before June 30, 2026, to help reduce wildfire risk in City-owned open spaces.
Each year, the City coordinates this effort with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD) to mow and disc vegetation in designated areas. This seasonal work is an important part of Antioch’s wildfire prevention efforts and helps limit the spread of fire during the dry season.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the City of Antioch Public Works Department at (925) 779-6950 or by email at publicworks@antiochca.gov.
Join us for a community meeting with the Antioch Police Department on Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.
During the meeting, we will share updates and discuss issues or concerns affecting the community. This is an opportunity to ask questions, receive helpful information and engage directly with your Police Department.
For those attending, please note:
– Enter through the Parish Hall entrance
– Park in the nearby lot as shown in the attached location photos
– Please do not enter through the main church entrance
We encourage all interested community members to attend.
Antioch City Manager Bessie Marie Scott. Photo: City of Antioch
In second year of two-year contract
“It sounds hard, and it is – but JOY abounds here!” – Bessie Marie Scott
By Allen D. Payton
Antioch City Manager Bessie Scott is currently serving in the second year of her two-year contract since being hired for the position on a split, 3-2 City Council vote in August 2024 less than three months before the election. With a new mayor and two new council members some residents didn’t expect Scott to last more than another six months at the most. But, 18 months later she continues serving in the position and has shared information about the role of city manager and her experience.
On Scott’s LinkedIn profile she provides a description of her position:
“As City Manager for the City of Antioch since October 2024, I contribute to key municipal operations by leveraging expertise in financial understanding, policy implementation, economic and community development, and crafting effective policy implementing and business communications.My role involves fostering organizational efficiency, staff development, enhancing regional partnerships, and driving initiatives that align with the city’s priorities, Council goals, and community needs. It sounds hard, and it is – but JOY abounds here!”
Then earlier this month, Scott shared the following about the role of city manager and her experience in the position:
One of the most misunderstood jobs in local government is the City Manager!
People often assume the role is about authority.
It’s not.
It’s about responsibility.
Scott responds to a question from a council member during the Budget Study Session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Video screenshot
Hi, I’m Bessie Scott, the first female City Manager in Antioch, California. I’m also a Black woman serving in a profession where leadership has historically looked very different.
Over time, I’ve learned there are a lot of misconceptions about what city managers A C T U A L L Y do.
Here are a few things people often get wrong about the role.
1. “City managers run the city however they want.”
In reality, city managers work at the direction of an elected city council. Our job is to implement policy, provide professional advice, and make sure city services are delivered effectively.
2. “It’s just a management job.”
Yes, we manage organizations — but we also navigate politics, community expectations, crises, labor negotiations, infrastructure planning, economic development, and public trust… often all at the same time.
3. “The work happens in council meetings.”
Council meetings are just the visible tip of the iceberg. The real work happens long before the meeting — in planning, listening, problem-solving, and coordinating across departments.
4. “City managers stay out of the public eye.”
In today’s environment, city managers are often front and center during community challenges, emergencies, and major civic decisions. As an Introvert, this is my LEAST favorite truth as I’m more of a Best Supporting Actress kinda girl!
5. “It’s a purely technical role.”
The technical skills matter. But the truth is that emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to bring people together are just as critical. Local government is where democracy becomes real for people. It’s the street someone drives on every day.
The park their kids play in.
The safety of their neighborhood.
The future of their community.
City managers sit at the intersection of all of it.
It’s challenging work. It’s often misunderstood work.
But it’s also some of the most meaningful work in public service.
I’m proud to serve alongside so many dedicated professionals in this field, including those connected through the International City/County Management Association, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, the League of California Cities, and the National League of Cities.
——-
The official description of Scott’s job and responsibilities is provided on the City Manager’s webpage:
The City of Antioch operates under the City Manager form of government. Under the policy direction of the City Council the City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City; assumes full responsibility for planning, administering, directing, overseeing, and evaluating the activities and operations of all City departments.
Responsibilities
Implementing City Council policy
Directing departments and the City’s administrative functions
Providing day-to-day leadership in policy development and implementation
Assuring an efficient and equitable delivery of City services
Initiating and developing short and long-term special projects
Overseeing the annual budget process
Managing the City’s inter-governmental relations and public information functions
Directing major economic development projects
The City Manager’s contract
Scott’s contract is up for renewal in September. She serves at the pleasure of the city council and renewal requires three votes of the five members.
Photos & artwork: City of Antioch Recreation Dept.
By City of Antioch Recreation Department
In an effort to Keep Antioch Beautiful and to celebrate Arbor Day we hosted an event to plant nearly 30 trees around Prewett Family Park and in the Antioch Community Center’s parking lot!
First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day is a national holiday in which encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating and even climbing trees are encouraged, along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist. Learn more about Arbor Day from the Farmer’s Almanac and Arbor Day Foundation.
Thank you to everyone involved:
Students from Holy Rosary School
Antioch Public Works
Antioch Police Department
Antioch Public Safety
City Council Members Don Freitas and Monica Wilson
The strides our community makes to Keep Antioch Beautiful are ongoing!
And takes the involvement of our entire community.
If you are interested in any upcoming volunteer events, please visit our website: antiochca.gov/recreation
Dominick DeSouza’s car in front of the FoodMaxx and Antioch Police Officer Donaldson being pulled into it while responding to the store robbery on Feb. 20, 2026. Sources: (L) Donaldson’s bodycam video screenshot. (R) Antioch PD Critical Incident Video screenshot of store security video.
23-year-old Dominick Edward DeSouzahas history of 19 arrests including 2021 Fairfield jewelry store robbery and in Solano County on Feb. 7th
By Allen D. Payton
According to Lt. William Whitaker of the Antioch Police Investigations Bureau, the Antioch Police Department is releasing video related to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on February 20, 2026, during an armed robbery investigation. The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Dominick Edward DeSouza of Antioch, born August 27, 2002.
“To be as open with our community as possible, this material is being released even while the investigation remains ongoing. The video includes body-worn camera footage, surveillance video and other evidence gathered during the investigation,” Whitaker shared in a press release issued today, Tuesday, April 23, 2026. “The officers involved were placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.”
As previously reported, at 5:16 a.m. that day, Antioch Police officers were dispatched to the 4500 block of Lone Tree Way for a report of a robbery in progress. While officers were en route, the reporting party stated that one of the suspects was armed with a firearm and had threatened him.
FoodMaxx store surveillance video shows the suspect’s car crashing backward into the front glass doors on Feb. 20, 2026. Source: Antioch PD
According to Captain Desmond Bittner, “The suspect vehicle backed into the FoodMaxx store before the officers arrived,” smashing in the front glass doors. One employee said store employees heard the crash, saw some of the commotion, called police who arrived quickly, and that there was more than one suspect who entered the store and attempted to steal alcohol.
When officers arrived, they confronted a suspect at the scene. During the encounter, the suspect rammed his vehicle into an occupied patrol car. An officer who was outside the suspect’s vehicle then came into contact with the driver, and a physical struggle ensued.
During the altercation, the officer was pulled into the vehicle as the suspect drove forward, striking both a patrol car and the nearby store.
The officer gave the driver multiple commands to stop the car, but he did not comply. The suspect continued driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed with the officer trapped inside. The officer then discharged his service weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect exited the vehicle on the sidewalk in front of a house on the corner of Southwood Way at Field Brook Court and fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later. Bittner confirmed, “The suspect was arrested in the area of the Southwood Way location.”
Description of Incident from Body Cam Videos
As the nine-minute Antioch Police Critical Incident Video shows, after one of the suspects, identified as DeSouza, exited the store and entered the driver’s seat two officers arrived in separate vehicles and DeSouza rammed his car into Officer Armstrong’s vehicle.
The video offers further description of the incident: “Officer Donaldson, on foot, reached into the suspect vehicle and engaged in a struggle with DeSouza. During the struggle, Officer Donaldson was knocked into the suspect vehicle as DeSouza accelerated into the store (in reverse) and then drove forward at a high rate of speed” crashing again into the police vehicle, before driving off.
“Two other suspects in the robbery fled the scene on foot’’ and Officer Armstrong pursued one.
After DeSouza rammed his car into Officer Armstrong’s vehicle then drove off with Officer Donaldson inside, the other two suspects exited the store and Officer Armstrong pursued one of them. Sources: Screenshots of FoodMaxx store security video included in Antioch PD Critical Incident Video.
Donaldson gave “the driver, DeSouza, repeated commands to stop the vehicle. DeSouza drove for approximately two miles while Officer Donaldson repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation and persuade him to stop the vehicle.
“DeSouza repeatedly told Officer Donaldson to ‘get out’ and said he was going to crash the car. DeSouza refused to stop to let the officer out and told him to jump from the vehicle. Given the speed of the vehicle, there was a risk of great bodily injury or death.
“As DeSouza continued to drive recklessly through city streets, Officer Donaldson informed DeSouza that he would be shot if he did not stop. DeSouza did not comply.”
DeSouza can be heard saying, “I’m going to crash this…car. I ain’t going to jail…I’m going to crash, bro.” Donaldson responded, “Don’t. It’s not worth it,” to which DeSouza said, “It is worth it. I got family, bro.”
Donaldson can be heard responding repeatedly, “Talk to me. Talk to me.”
The video narrative shares, “Officer Donaldson tried putting the vehicle into neutral as DeSouza continually pulled the officer’s hands off the gear shift.”
DeSouza can be heard saying, “That’s not gonna work, bro. That’s not gonna work.”
Screenshot of Officer Donaldson’s body cam video shows him punch DeSouza in the face.
Then Donaldson can be seen punching DeSouza in the face and saying, “Stop. I will shoot” as he pointed his service weapon at DeSouza.
DeSouza, with a bruise to his right eye area, repeatedly tells Donaldson to “get out the car” and the officer responds, “I will put one in you…I’m not gonna jump…just stop.”
“I’m not going to do this on a private street,” DeSouza can be heard saying. Then, as Donaldson grabs the steering wheel, DeSouza said, “You’re going to kill us, bro.”
Then, Donaldson can be seen repeatedly striking DeSouza with his service weapon and saying, “I’m warning you, I will shoot your leg,” as he pointed his gun at DeSouza’s leg.
Screenshot of Officer Donaldson’s body cam shows him pointing his service weapon at DeSouza inside the suspect’s vehicle as he continued to drive from the scene of the store robbery.
The narrative explains, “Officer Donaldson intentionally shot DeSouza in the leg to reduce the likelihood of a fatality to DeSouza, himself and members of the community. DeSouza’s car collided with a parked car and he fled on foot. DeSouza’s vehicle continued rolling and came to rest in the yard of a nearby home” on the corner of Southwood Way at Field Brook Court.
“Officer Donaldson attempted to transmit on his police radio” saying, “C5, shots fired”, “but it was shut off during the struggle,” the narrative continues. Donaldson then pursued DeSouza on foot.
“Additional officers arrived on scene and located DeSouza about ten minutes after he ran from the car. DeSouza, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, was found hiding in bushes and was taken into custody without further incident.”
Screenshot of Donaldson’s body cam video shows Antioch Police Officers point their service weapons at DeSouza who was hiding in a bush after fleeing on foot from his vehicle.
In the video several officers can be seen pointing their weapons at DeSouza while one issued commands to “raise your hands like an airplane” and “don’t move.” As they approached him, DeSouza could be heard yelling, “He shot me. He shot me.”
The narrative continued, “Officers rendered medical aid until the arrival of paramedics. DeSouza was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officer Donaldson suffered minor injuries during the incident. No other members of the public were injured.”
“As part of the Internal Affairs investigation, a third-party independent investigator will determine whether department policies and procedures were followed,” the video concluded.
Lt. William Whitaker later said, DeSouza “was in the hospital for a while.”
“This incident is under investigation by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau, in coordination with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, pursuant to the county’s Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol,” he shared.
Source: Antioch PD
Critical Incident Video
A critical incident overview of the incident is linked below.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information regarding the incident, is encouraged to contact Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or via email: abecerra@antiochca.gov or by calling the Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6926.
Following the armed robbery of the FoodMaxx store where DeSouza and two other suspects smashed into the front door and then drove across town with Antioch Police Officer Donaldson inside, he fled his vehicle on Southwood Way where he was later apprehended nearby Friday morning, Feb. 20, 2026. Herald file photos by Allen D. Payton
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, nine-inch tall, 185-pound DeSouza was arrested out of county, is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail but also has bail amounts of $600,000 and $75,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4 of the Delta Superior Court in Pittsburg.
According to an Antioch Herald report, at age 19, he and two other teens were arrested in November 2021 with $50,000 of jewelry stolen from a Fairfield store.
According to localcrimenews.com, DeSouza is White and has a history of arrests since 2021 by multiple agencies. His arrest on February 20th was for crimes including resisting, obstructing, delaying a Peace Officer, kidnapping and kidnapping to commit any violation of Codes 211 / 264.1 / 288 / 289 211, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon – no firearm likely great bodily injury to a Peace Officer or Fireman, violation of parole: felony, burglary, grand theft, receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, vandalism of $5,000 or more and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
DeSouza’s 17 other arrests, just two weeks before in Solano County on Feb. 7, 2026, included charges of threats of violence and vandalism; plus, he was arrested previously on multiple charges of assault, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and child endangerment, as well as for grand theft, petty theft, burglary, robbery, drug possession, reckless driving on a public street and evasion with wanton disregard for safety.
Free poetry and art workshops for ages 12-18 at the Contra Costa County District 3 and 5 libraries in Antioch (Tues & Thurs), Brentwood (Wed) and Pittsburg (Mon). Professional artists help youth build personal/educational skills. Snacks & supplies included!
A creative and supportive artist team works with youth to develop skills for personal growth, team building, educational, and professional opportunities.
The Youth Arts Connection library workshops are funded in part by Measure X.
Partners include the Contra Costa County Library, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services, and Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County.
Joseph Michael Ballestero passed away suddenly on Easter Sunday.
A lifetime, while too short, that was spent in dedication to Theatre, and to his family and friends.
Joe grew up in Antioch, fishing, playing sports, rooting for the 49ers and the Yankees and participating in his family’s theatre companies. He was a fine actor, sound or lighting technician and so could fulfill any role needed at the theatre.
At an early age he became fascinated with Great White sharks, a passion which followed him through his life. Joe knew line for line, all the dialog in the movie Jaws (and many other films). His love for The Beatles is also well known, and he knew every word of every Beatles song and movie and was a wealth of trivia knowledge.
Joe loved to create. Whether it was sculpting, creating videos, telling stories or acting any of the hundreds of characters he portrayed over the years – his sense of humor and ability to make you smile was forever his forté. He was kind, funny and loving.
He is survived by his mother, Patsy (St. Germain); father, Frank (Ballesteros); brother, John; sister-in-law, Lee; nephew, Max; niece, Cristina and great niece, Amália. He was Uncle Joe to many.
He will be missed by all, he was well loved.
“Life is very short and there’s no time for fussing and fighting…”
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 4th from 4-8 pm at the Woman’s Club of Antioch at 509 G Street. All who wish to, are welcome to attend.
