To: Board of Supervisors
From: Kendra Carr & Peter Kim, Co-Directors Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice
Report Title: Declare a Vacancy on the Racial Justice Oversight Body
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT the resignation of Rick Godfrey, and DECLARE a vacancy in the Community-based Representative Seat: Lived Experience with Criminal or Juvenile Justice System, on the Racial Justice Oversight Body for term ending December 31, 2026, and DIRECT the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
The Racial Justice Oversight Body (RJOB) is a multi-agency advisory body established by the Board of Supervisors on July 24, 2018 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made by the Racial Justice Task Force to reduce racial disparities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
The Racial Justice Oversight Body is composed of the following 18 representatives:
1. A representative from the Superior Court, as a non-voting member;
2. The Sheriff or his designee;
3. The Chief Probation Officer or her designee;
4. The Public Defender or her designee;
5. The District Attorney or her designee;
6. A representative from a local law enforcement agency, nominated by the Contra Costa County Police Chiefs’ Association;
7. A representative from the Contra Costa County Office of Education;
8. A representative from a Local School District (Rotation: Mt. Diablo/West Contra Costa/Antioch)
9. A representative from Contra Costa County Health Services Department;
10-11. Community-based Representative Seat 1 & 2: two members nominated by the Contra Costa Racial Justice Coalition;
12-13. Community-based Representative Seat 3 & 4: two individuals with prior personal criminal or juvenile justice system involvement;
14-16. Community-based Representative Seat 5, 6 & 7: three representatives from community-based organizations (CBO) that work with justice involved populations, including at least one person who works directly with youth;
17. Community-based Representative Seat 8: one representative from a faith-based organization; and
18. Community-based Representative Seat 9: one representative that is either a school-age young person, or from a CBO who provides services to school-age youth.
On 1/29/26 Mr. Rick Godfrey submitted a letter of resignation from RJOB effective 1/30/26. Upon the Board’s acceptance of this resignation, and declaration of the vacant seat, staff will bring the matter to the Equity Committee for its recruitment and recommendation to the Board of a replacement appointment.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If not approved, the vacancy will not be posted and the Community-based Representative Seat will remain vacant.