For more information contact rivertowntreasurechest@gmail.com or visit www.downtownantioch.com.

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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.

Cleanups at Nick Rodriguez Community Center and Antioch Skatepark then plant a tree on Arbor Day; participate in the #KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Starting Earth Day, join us as we begin our service to the community. Gather friends and family to brainstorm a beautification project for your home, neighborhood, classroom, or local business, and put it into action! Don’t forget to capture your efforts with a photo and send to the Antioch Recreation Department! On Arbor Day, join our Parks and Rec Department as we plant trees at a local park. Be part of the volunteers who will serve in downtown Rivertown at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center and at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park before enjoying a volunteer lunch.

What Is Earth Day?

First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources. Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.

What Is Arbor Day?

First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day 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.

Join us for Arbor Day 2026 as we come together to plant trees and invest in a greener future.

Plant a tree. Grow our future! Friday, April 24, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

This Year’s Community Services

• Trash Cleanup at Nick Rodriguez Community Center
• Landscaping Projects at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park
• Plant Trees for Arbor Day at Prewett Community Park
• Join the Social Media Photo Raffle

Note: Please bring work gloves.

#KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle

From Earth Day (April 22, 2026) to Arbor Day (April 24, 2026), show us how you and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful and tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!

Sponsored in part by Antioch Rotary Club, Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch and Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

Click to Register for all three activities.

For more information visit Keep Antioch Beautiful | Antioch, CA

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Deadline: May 4th to register to show your creations

By Cheyenne Erickson, CEO, Contra Costa Fair & Event Park

Calling all crafters, bakers, photographers, plant lovers, sewers and more—this is your time to shine! Enter your creations and be part of the 2026 Contra Costa County Fair, May 14-17.

Divisions for EVERYONE:

• Youth

• Adult

• Classroom (open to any group or class!)

Sign up now on the Showman App!

https://www.contracostafair.com/exhibitors

Need help or have questions? We’ve got you covered—join us during office hours every Tuesday & Thursday 9am-4pm for entry assistance and support.

Questions? Email us at exhibits@ccfair.org.

The Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds are located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

We can’t wait to see what you bring to the Fair!

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By UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

The UC Master Gardener program in Contra Costa County’s 2026 Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale fundraiser in East County will take place April 18 in Antioch.

Every year, the Great Tomato Plant Sale brings gardeners something special. This year, we’re excited to introduce a fresh lineup of new delicious tomato varieties, along with peppers and other vegetables chosen for flavor, productivity, and garden performance.

You’ll get a preview of what’s new, from unique heirlooms to exciting modern varieties that deserve a place in your garden. You’ll also find helpful articles and growing tips designed to set you up for a successful vegetable season—from choosing the right tomato to protecting plants during hot summer days. A short guide explaining the disease-resistant codes is also included to help you understand what they mean and how they can benefit your garden.

Take a moment to explore and read ‘Here’s What’s New in 2026’, then follow the links to discover the full collection of plants and resources waiting for you at this year’s Great Tomato Plant Sale. 

We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces very soon.  Please mark your calendars with the date below, as we’d hate for you to miss a single minute of the excitement. See you there!

• Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Rivertown Demonstration Garden, Antioch (located in the Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds, 1201 W 10th Street);

Please note:

• Fruits & Vegetables
• 70+ varieties of tomatoes, plus peppers, eggplants, squash and more
• All plants are $4.00
• All sales are Visa, MasterCard, Cash or Check
• Remember to bring boxes or containers to carry your new plants home!
• For safety reasons, pets are not allowed inside the sales area. 

Description lists: 

• Go to Beefsteak Tomatoes
• Go to Cherry & Paste Tomatoes
• Go to Slicer Tomatoes
• Go to Peppers
• Go to Other Veggies and Herbs

Shopping Lists

• Shopping List for Our Garden, Walnut Creek (PDF)
• Shopping List for Rivertown, Antioch (PDF)
• Shopping List for West County (PDF)

For more information visit 2026 Great Tomato Plant Sale | UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County.

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Join Councilmember Monica Wilson and Antioch leadership for an evening of real conversation, connection, and community.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from city leaders, ask questions, and share what matters most in District 4.

Featuring:

• State Senator Tim Grayson

• Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila-Farias

• Antioch leadership and department directors

Thursday, April 16

6 PM – 7:30 PM

International Barbershop, 4629 Golf Course Road, Antioch, near Tailgaters.

Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. Be part of the conversation.

Try your hand at operating a train!

By David Epling

Our FREE ADMISSION, Semi-Annual Public Open House. Come see HO scale trains traveling across our large layout. New for this event is for a 5.00 fee, we will give you a throttle and let you run one of our trains. Additionally, we will have our model train swap meet in the parking lot.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: 425 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch

For more information visit www.blackdiamondlines.com or contact David Epling at info@blackdiamondlines.com or (209) 337-2639.