To: Board of Supervisors
From: Internal Operations Committee
Report Title: Appointments to the Measure O Committee
Recommendation: Recommendation of a Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPOINT Tanya Little to Seat #1, Fernando Mendoza to Seat #2 (Hercules) and Mare Brixie to Seat #3 (Rodeo) to the Measure O Committee to new terms beginning November 1, 2026, as recommended by the Internal Operations Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, voters passed Measure O, providing the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District (RHFPD) funding through a special per parcel tax for continued maintenance of local fire protection and emergency response within the City of Hercules, unincorporated Town of Rodeo, and surrounding unincorporated areas (RHFPD Area). The RHFPD was annexed into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (the District) on July 1, 2025. As a result, the District is obligated to establish a 2016 Special Tax Funding Replacement Measure Independent Oversight Committee (Measure O Committee) to satisfy accountability requirements.
The Measure O Committee was established in 2026 to independently review and inform the public and the Board concerning the collection and expenditure of parcel tax revenues, assurance that revenues are expended in accordance with the intention of the voters, including that revenues are dedicated to service of the RHFPD Area, and status of any project required or authorized to be funded with these revenues. The Committee is to be composed of a minimum of three members and maximum of five members appointed by the Board. Members must be residents or property owners within the RHFPD Area and registered to vote, and include at least:
1. One member who is a resident or property owner in Hercules and a registered voter; and
2. One member who is a resident or property owner in Rodeo and a registered voter.
Committee members are appointed for a term of two or three years. At the Measure O Committee’s first meeting, members will draw lots in order to stagger the starting initial terms as follows (depending on Committee size):
1. One or Two members will serve an initial two-year term, and
2. Two or Three members will serve an initial three-year term.
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District opened recruitments for the initial terms on the Measure O Committee. Following receipt of applications, interviews were completed by the District and applicants were reviewed and considered by the Advisory Fire Commission. The Advisory Fire Commission considered and recommended Tanya Little for appointment to Seat 1 at their June 8, 2026 meeting, and considered and recommended Fernando Mendoza for Seat 2 (Hercules) and Mare Brixie for Seat 3 (Rodeo) at their August 10, 2026 meeting.
The Internal Operations Committee reviewed the recommendation at its October 19, 2026 meeting and recommends the appointments.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Initial appointments to the Measure O Committee will not be made.