I believe in being responsible with the money Brentwood residents already contribute to our County. I am not in favor of raising taxes especially when there is not a clear indication that the additional revenue will directly benefit Brentwood residents.
That is why I believe it is important to look carefully at the existing measure and the proposed new transportation tax. What will it actually cost Brentwood residents? Where will the money go? How much will come back to our community? And, most importantly, will this measure meaningfully improve life here in Brentwood? Therefore, I am not supporting this raise in our taxes.
Contra Costa County's Measure J is an existing ½-cent countywide sales tax dedicated to transportation. Approved by voters in 2004, it took effect in 2009 and is scheduled to continue through March 31, 2034. Measure J has funded major transportation improvements throughout the county, including significant investments in East County and Brentwood.
One example is the Highway 4/Balfour Road interchange, where approximately $46 million in Measure J funding contributed to the roughly $74 million project. Measure J also supports local street maintenance, transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and regional transportation programs.
Voters in Contra Costa County will consider the Connect Bay Area Transit Initiative on November 3, 2026. If approved, it would add a ½-cent sales tax in Contra Costa and three other participating counties for 14 years.
The proposed tax is ½ cent for every $1 of taxable purchases, or 50 cents for every $100 spent.
| Taxable Purchase | Additional Tax |
|---|---|
| $50 | 25¢ |
| $100 | 50¢ |
| $500 | $2.50 |
| $1,000 | $5.00 |
The tax applies to taxable purchases, so not every dollar a person spends is necessarily subject to it.
The majority of the new revenue would support transit operations and help preserve service on systems including BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit and smaller transit agencies.
For Contra Costa County, the current expenditure plan estimates approximately $25 million annually for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). Those funds could be used for transit operations and infrastructure, as well as paving roads that have regular bus service.
Brentwood residents deserve to know that when we contribute to regional transportation programs, East County receives a fair return on that investment.
The new measure does not guarantee Brentwood a specific dollar amount. Funding would be administered through the regional and county transportation structure, so I believe it is important to ask:
As a City Council member, I would advocate for responsible growth, strong fiscal stewardship, and a fair share of regional transportation investments for Brentwood and East County.
We should continue leveraging regional, state and federal funding to improve our infrastructure while making sure every taxpayer dollar is used wisely.
I understand why the region is looking for additional transportation funding, particularly given the financial challenges facing Bay Area transit. But if they are wanting to raise our taxes, I believe it is my responsibility to make sure those tax dollars are actually going to benefit our community.
Transportation is the infrastructure that connects Brentwood's growth, safety, economy, and quality of life. Our goal should be to make smart investments that keep Brentwood moving while protecting taxpayers and preserving the character of our community.
Transportation affects how quickly:
Signal technology that provides emergency vehicle preemption can help emergency vehicles move through intersections more efficiently. But public safety also means:
When we talk about transportation, we're also talking about public safety. A police officer, firefighter or paramedic can't control traffic congestion. Our infrastructure needs to help them get where they're needed as quickly and safely as possible.
One of Brentwood's biggest transportation challenges is that many residents live here but work elsewhere. People commute west toward Antioch, BART, the I-680 corridor, the central county and the greater Bay Area. That means Brentwood's transportation planning has to extend beyond city limits.
A transportation system that works for Brentwood has to recognize where our residents actually travel. How we connect regionally is just as important as what happens inside our city limits.
Brentwood's growth means more cars, more trips, and more pressure on major corridors such as Lone Tree Way, Balfour Road and Brentwood Boulevard.
The Smart Signals program is a good example. Brentwood has 15 intersections receiving technology improvements designed to improve traffic flow, safety and emergency response. We shouldn't wait until traffic becomes a crisis before addressing it — strategic planning means identifying bottlenecks and investing in infrastructure before our residents are stuck dealing with them every day.
Businesses consider transportation when deciding where to locate. A company wants:
That's especially relevant as Brentwood develops its Innovation Center and other employment opportunities. Good transportation infrastructure can help Brentwood create jobs instead of remaining primarily a bedroom community. Economic development isn't just about attracting businesses — it's about creating an environment where businesses can succeed, and reliable transportation infrastructure is part of that environment.
I believe transportation is much bigger than traffic. It's about public safety, economic development, quality of life and the future competitiveness of Brentwood. As we grow, we need to invest strategically in roads, intersections, signal technology and regional connections while making sure new development contributes appropriately to the infrastructure it requires.
I'm also committed to fiscal responsibility. We should leverage state, federal and regional dollars before asking our local taxpayers to carry the full burden. And when Brentwood residents contribute to regional transportation programs, I want to make sure East County has a strong voice and receives a fair return on that investment.
My goal is to build a transportation system that keeps Brentwood safe, connected, economically strong and a great place to live for the next generation. I don't have to be a transportation engineer to demonstrate leadership on this issue — a City Council member's job is to ask the right questions, understand the tradeoffs, protect taxpayers, set priorities and make sure Brentwood's interests are represented.
Affordability is about more than the cost of a home. It's also about whether families can earn a good living, manage everyday expenses, and spend less time and money commuting.
I want to help create an economy that brings quality jobs, career opportunities, and investment closer to home while protecting the character that makes Brentwood special. That means supporting responsible economic development, encouraging businesses that provide good-paying jobs, strengthening opportunities for local entrepreneurs and skilled workers, and continuing to invest in the infrastructure that businesses need to succeed.
When more residents can work closer to home, we can reduce the burden of long commutes, strengthen our local economy, and give families something they can't get back — time.
My goal is a Brentwood where families can not only afford to live, but have meaningful opportunities to work, build, and thrive here too. When residents can find good-paying jobs closer to home, they can spend less time and money commuting and more time with their families.
When I talk about bringing quality jobs to Brentwood, I'm not talking about creating one type of job or expecting everyone to have a four-year college degree. We need to create opportunities across the spectrum — from technology and professional careers to advanced manufacturing and skilled trades — so our young people, working families and professionals have more opportunities to build successful careers right here in Brentwood.