County Connection Warns of 22% Service Cuts as Concord Bids Farewell to Base Reuse Chief

Concord's role as the transit spine of Central Contra Costa is in jeopardy. County Connection's general manager told the City Council on Sept. 22 that without a regional ballot measure, the agency will eliminate three bus routes and scale back four more — flooding city streets with thousands of additional cars. The same meeting brought an emotional sendoff for the city's longtime economic development director, who hinted that a breakthrough on the Naval Weapons Station deal could come within days.

• County Connection faces a $6.5 million deficit and 22% service cuts if the Regional Transit Measure fails; BART may end at Concord station
• Economic Development Director Guy Bjerke retires, signaling imminent good news on the Naval Weapons Station deal with master developer Brookfield
• Residents push for an independent audit of Flock surveillance cameras, citing documented ICE data-sharing risks in other cities
• Five new members appointed to the Commission on Aging after applicants flagged housing costs and food insecurity as top concerns
• Casa Club de la Hispanidad Foundation honored for empowering Latino families through vocational education and culturally specific services

Why it matters: Concord is not just another stop on the bus map — it is the center of gravity for all public transit in Central Contra Costa County. Lose funding, and the city loses routes, riders and clean air gains that took years to build.