Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to consider $7.248 billion Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended Budget
Hearings Monday & Tuesday, April 27 & 28
“We continue to find ways to deliver services more efficiently and cost-effectively while maintaining service levels for our community.” – County Administrator Monica Nino
Adoption scheduled for Tuesday, May 19
By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media
(Martinez, CA) – As counties across the nation face growing fiscal pressure driven by federal and state policy changes, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will convene a two-day public hearing to consider the County’s $7.248 billion proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Hearings will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 28 at the Board Chambers, 1025 Escobar Street, in Martinez. The proposal reflects a significant shift in fiscal responsibility from federal and state governments to counties. The budget is balanced using a combination of ongoing revenues and one-time departmental funds, as departments respond to increasing costs and evolving policy changes.
“This year’s recommended budget reflects our continued commitment to delivering essential public services and the growing challenges counties face as federal and state funding shifts,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District 3 Supervisor. “We are navigating a period of uncertainty while continuing to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our community through responsible fiscal management and long-term planning. Community members are encouraged to attend the hearings and provide input on County priorities and services.”
Responding to Federal and State Changes
The upcoming fiscal year is shaped in part by anticipated impacts from federal legislation, including H.R. 1, which is expected to reduce funding for safety-net programs and tighten eligibility for services such as Medi-Cal and CalFresh. These changes are likely to increase demand for County services while reducing external funding support.
Contra Costa County’s Health Services and Employment and Human Services departments are among the most affected, relying on one-time fund balances to maintain service levels in the near term, essentially drawing on savings from prior years.
Approximately 53 percent of the County’s budget is funded by state and federal sources.
The budget includes 11,261 full-time equivalent positions, with continued efforts to manage vacancies, control costs, and align staffing with service needs.
Fiscal Outlook and Community Impact
While the budget is balanced for the coming year, it relies on one-time resources and reflects ongoing fiscal pressures, including:
- Uncertainty in federal and state funding and implementation of H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act;
- Rising labor and operational costs; and
- Slower growth in local revenues.
In response to these challenges, the Board of Supervisors has placed a five-year, 5/8-cent general-purpose sales tax measure on the June ballot. If approved by voters and authorized by the state, the measure is projected to generate approximately $150 million annually to help stabilize services during this period of transition. (See related article)
Regardless of the outcome, the County expects to make budget adjustments in future years to ensure ongoing revenues match expenditures.
“The Recommended Budget reflects years of ongoing review and refinement of County operations as we respond to changing economic conditions,” said County Administrator Monica Nino. “We continue to find ways to deliver services more efficiently and cost-effectively while maintaining service levels for our community. This work is made possible by our dedicated workforce, strong partnership among our Department Heads, and a continued commitment to sound fiscal management and disciplined decision-making as we adapt to ongoing challenges.”
More details about the County’s strategic plan, General Purpose Revenue allocations, budgeted positions, and key budget issues are provided in the FY26-27 Recommended Budget book.
The Board meeting agenda will be available at: https://contra-costa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. The budget discussion is scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28. Budget adoption is scheduled for the Board’s meeting on Tuesday, May 19.
the attachments to this post:
CoCoCo Seal & Budget
