Latest Spending: Is She Being a Responsible Steward of Taxpayer Money?

At the August 11, 2026 County Board meeting, 194 consent agenda items were approved—yet Diane failed to mention any of them. That matters because among those items were significant decisions involving taxpayer dollars.

Two deserve particular attention.

$1 Million in Measure X Funds

C.29 approved a $1 million, interest-free Measure X loan to HEBSV Esperanza Place, LLC. Interest would only accrue if there is a default, and the agenda does not specify what the default interest rate would be.

Compare that with Harbor Pointe in Discovery Bay. Diane had planned to give Measure X funds to that development. After receiving the Notice of Intent to Recall on May 16, she acknowledged residents were unhappy and withdrew the funding just three days later.

Residents deserve to know: What is the strategy for Measure X funds? What criteria determine when taxpayer money is given versus loaned?

Another $838,000 for County Office Space

C.165 approved spending $838,000 from the General Fund to purchase 1004 Court Street in Martinez to increase County office space downtown.

At a time when county leaders should be looking for opportunities to conserve taxpayer dollars, adding another $838,000 property purchase raises an obvious question:

Is Diane looking for ways to save taxpayer money or ways to spend it?

As Chair of the Board, Diane should be setting priorities, looking for efficiencies, and making sure every taxpayer dollar is used strategically. Approving nearly a million dollars for additional office space while the county faces competing needs deserves more scrutiny, not less.

Pay Attention to the Consent Agenda

The consent agenda isn't just paperwork. It contains decisions about how your tax dollars are spent.

Don't rely on elected officials to tell you what matters. Read the agenda yourself.

You can sign up for County email notifications so you're reminded when Board meeting agendas are released. It takes just a few minutes to see what your elected officials are approving. https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/list.aspx

Government spending should be transparent, disciplined, and strategic. Taxpayers deserve nothing less.