Board Votes 4-1 to Place Emergency Health Care Sales Tax on June Ballot

The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors approved placing a five-year, 0.625% sales tax on the June 2 ballot to stave off a projected $1 billion hospital system deficit driven by federal HR1 cuts — but not before a sharp clash over data accuracy nearly derailed the effort. The 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Candace Andersen dissenting, came after hours of testimony from health officials, private hospital leaders, labor unions, taxpayer advocates, and an attorney threatening litigation.

• Board places emergency 0.625% sales tax on June 2 ballot (pending state legislation) to partially offset $1 billion-plus hospital deficit, 4-1

• County forced to correct resolution after supervisor reveals projected losses were misrepresented as annual rather than cumulative

• EHSD discloses it needs 313 new eligibility workers — $117 million — to comply with unfunded federal mandates

• John Muir Health warns of $80–$130 million per year in additional losses when HR1 hits

• Public Works trades workers demand 15–20% raises ahead of contract negotiations, citing $12,000–$20,000 pay gaps

• Board honors retiring La Clinica CEO Jane Garcia after nearly 50 years building $170 million safety-net empire

The main event of the March 3 meeting was Agenda Item D1: adoption of Ordinance 2026-05 authorizing a temporary 0.625% general retail sales and use tax for five years, paired with Resolution 2026-40 calling a June 2, 2026 special election to put the measure before voters. The tax would generate roughly $150 million annually — approximately $750 million over five years — to offset a healthcare funding crisis driven by federal HR1 cuts, state reductions, and rising costs.