Council Adds $21,750 for Patrol Car as Con Fire Boosts Hercules Staffing
City Council • HerculesApril 14, 2026
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With only three of five members on the dais, the Hercules City Council spent its longest debate of the night on a $21,750 top-off for a police patrol vehicle and approved it 3-0. Members also adopted a 2.5% inflation increase for certain city fees and heard Contra Costa County's fire chief outline more staffing at the Hercules station after the Rodeo-Hercules annexation.
- $21,750 added for a replacement patrol vehicle, 3-0, after costs ran about 18% over the January estimate
- Hercules fire station staffing rises from 3 to 5 by month-end, and Measure O oversight returns
- FY 2026-27 fee schedule adopted 3-0 with a 2.5% Bay Area CPI increase; child care rates hold
- Measure V backers urge support for renewing the $10.2M school parcel tax on the Nov. 3 ballot
Inflation Squeezes the Police Fleet
Why it matters: The Hercules Police Department runs 27 vehicles. Two patrol cars already exceed the city's 85,000-mile replacement threshold, and three more will cross it next year.
Where things stand: A January request of $135,645 for two vehicles fell short because of inflation, Police Chief Joseph Vasquez told the council. He asked for an additional $21,750 from the Vehicle Replacement Fund, known as Fund 450, to complete the purchase.
"Reacting to emergencies after the fleet has deteriorated is more costly and less safe than planning proactively," said Chief Vasquez.
Vasquez walked through the fleet's recent history. He cited the 2022 vehicle shortage, Chevy Tahoes that proved unsuitable, a Silverado repurposed as a pool car, a trial Dodge Durango and an additional grant-funded car. He said a new Fairfield dealership offers outfitted vehicles, free towing and loaners. Vice Mayor Alex Walker-Griffin asked about vehicle choices and mileage.
The other side: Councilmember Dion Bailey pressed hardest. He noted that the cost is "18% more than what it was," asked why the department bought a test vehicle rather than borrowing one, and suggested ordering directly from Chevy's fleet program and using a separate outfitter. He also raised residents' concerns about spending.
On the replacement policy, Bailey asked whether the threshold is set too low. "Because 85 seems low today," said Councilmember Bailey.
"I do agree, 85 is probably on the lower end," Chief Vasquez replied.
Vasquez defended the dealership on speed. "The turnaround with this dealership is about a month, and when we get it, it is patrol ready to go," he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mayor Christine Kelley reviewed Fund 450 and said the city would still have "well over $400,000 in the vehicle replacement fund" after the purchase. She called the request a no-brainer. Walker-Griffin moved the resolution, and Bailey seconded it. The vote was For: 3 (Kelley, Walker-Griffin, Bailey), Against: 0, Absent: 2 (Councilmembers Tiffany Grimsley and Dilli Bhattarai).
Patrol officers get a ready-to-deploy vehicle. Taxpayers see the money come from a dedicated vehicle fund rather than a new budget request.
What's next: The vote covered only the appropriation. It did not change the 85,000-mile threshold, despite both Bailey and Vasquez saying it may be low.
Con Fire Adds Boots at the Hercules Station
Why it matters: Staffing at the Hercules station rises from 3 to 5 personnel. Oversight of Measure O revenue is also being restored after the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, known as Con Fire, annexed the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District.
Where things stand: Fire Chief Aaron McAllister said Con Fire is adding a 24-hour battalion safety officer based at the Hercules station and a fourth firefighter on Quint 76, the city's ladder truck. "By the end of the month, there will be 5," said Chief McAllister.
Districtwide, McAllister cited several changes:
- An expanded hazmat program with about 30 employees inherited in the annexation
- New highway blocking units
- A $2.7M seasonal helicopter contract
- A communications center costing nearly $20M
Hercules logged about 1,500 incidents through Aug. 31, including 85 ambulance-only responses.
The basics: Measure O is a local revenue source tied to the former Rodeo-Hercules district. "Measure O is still intact," McAllister said. Three nominees are headed to the district board for an independent oversight committee, and audits will be presented publicly. Asked how often the committee would meet, McAllister said, "Definitely, they'll meet annually and as needed."
The other side: Council members probed risks rather than opposing anything. Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin asked, "What keeps you up at night about the safety of our area?" McAllister pointed to local industry: "We have petrochemical industry that's right here in our backyard."
Bailey asked about AB 645 and pre-arrival instructions. Members also raised power shutoffs, committee applications and ambulance use. McAllister said crews offer lift assists as an alternative to ambulance transport, noting, "We certainly respond to lift assists every day." He said the Rodeo station will stay staffed.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took no action on the report. Hercules residents gain added fire staffing, and Measure O taxpayers regain a formal oversight body. No members of the public commented.
Fees Rise 2.5%, Child Care Holds Steady
Why it matters: Certain permit and service fees will now adjust automatically with inflation. Families using city child care will see roughly the same rates.
Where things stand: Finance Director Ed Ungaro said the revised FY 2026-27 master fee schedule ties certain fees to the Bay Area Consumer Price Index. That index rose 2.5% from February 2025 to February 2026. Statutory fees and market-based parks and recreation fees are excluded. Sewer rates will be updated separately under the July 14 Walden fee study.
Vice Mayor Walker-Griffin asked why some fees, such as Ohlone Center deposits, changed differently. "So for those things that have not increased, how did we get that?" he asked. Parks and Recreation Director Christopher Roque said deposits are set to cover facility damage and cleaning costs and that "a security deposit is 100% refundable."
Roque defended routine increases. "I think it's good to have at least a marginal increase periodically to keep up with the rising costs of everything else that's happening," said Director Roque.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Bailey confirmed child care costs stayed about the same. Roque said the program moved to four days a week, adding, "We haven't gone up because we've kept costs relatively the same." "I think this is an essential service for families," said Councilmember Bailey.
The public hearing drew no speakers. Walker-Griffin moved the resolution, and Bailey seconded it. The vote was For: 3 (Kelley, Walker-Griffin, Bailey), Against: 0, Absent: 2 (Grimsley, Bhattarai).
Measure V Supporters Make Their Pitch
Where things stand: Two speakers used public comment to urge support for Measure V, a West Contra Costa Unified School District parcel tax renewal on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Jeff Carter, Interim Associate Superintendent, West Contra Costa Unified School District, said the tax raises about $10.2M a year. It is set at 7.2 cents per square foot, which he said comes to about $100 per homeowner. He said the tax has been renewed three times, has no audit findings and funds counselors, libraries, athletics, safety and custodial services.
Marcus Walton, a Hercules homeowner and parent, said the money supports teachers, labs, career technical training and counseling. He also cited Hercules High's national ranking.
Why it matters: The tax has funded school services since 2004. Both speakers stressed that the measure is a renewal with no rate increase. No one spoke in opposition. Because the item was not on the agenda, the council did not respond.
Minor Items
- New city manager: Mayor Kelley introduced City Manager Mike Futrell, who is on a listening tour.
- Closed session deferred: Futrell moved the potential-litigation closed session to Oct. 27, and no closed session was held.
- Minutes corrected: The council approved the Sept. 22 minutes 3-0 after fixing an error that listed Futrell as city manager instead of Patrick Tang.
- Transit uncertainty: Bailey said WestCAT and BART service hinge on the regional measure. "We won't have any answers, however, until after November 3rd," he said.
- Unity Day: Roque urged residents to wear orange Oct. 21 for National Bullying Prevention Month.
Looking Ahead
The council next meets Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., when the deferred litigation item is scheduled to return. Trunk or Treat is set for Oct. 30, and the Hercules Library marks its 20th anniversary Nov. 14.