To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Report Title: ADOPT Resolution honoring Valerie Barone on the occasion of her retirement from the City of Concord as City Manager.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution honoring Valerie Barone on the occasion of her retirement from the City of Concord as City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
See Resolution text.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
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IN THE MATTER OF honoring Valerie Barone on the occasion of her retirement from the City of Concord as City Manager, as recommended by Supervisor Carlson and Supervisor Scales-Preston.
WHEREAS, Valerie Barone has devoted 38 years to public service, beginning her career with the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines and later serving in key leadership roles across the Bay Area, culminating in her tenure as Assistant City Manager and then City Manager for the City of Concord; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career, Valerie has exemplified integrity, compassion, and a commitment to community, guiding Concord through some of its most challenging periods-including the Great Recession, the elimination of redevelopment, and the COVID-19 pandemic-while restoring fiscal stability and strengthening public trust; and
WHEREAS, under Valerie’s leadership, Concord experienced significant improvements to its infrastructure, including the repaving or rehabilitation of nearly every major roadway, stabilization of the pavement condition index, and the creation of a Residential Roadway Maintenance Crew to ensure long-term neighborhood investment; and
WHEREAS, Valerie championed innovative approaches to public safety and service delivery, supporting initiatives such as Drones as First Responders and leading the development of Concord’s first Economic Strategic Plan to attract and grow local businesses; and
WHEREAS, Valerie played a crucial role in advancing the redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, fostering collaboration with the U.S. Navy and Brookfield Properties to shape one of the region’s most transformative future developments; and
WHEREAS, her commitment to collaboration led to the creation of the A3 Community Crisis Response Program, which significantly changed how mental health crises are addressed countywide, reducing police involvement in involuntary mental health holds by 25% and ensuring more compassionate responses for individuals in crisis; and
WHEREAS, Valerie also helped lead the development of Concord’s first Homeless Strategic Plan, supporting more than $5 million in community investments and helping hundreds of residents move toward stability, contributing to a 43% reduction in unsheltered homelessness over a two-year period; and
WHEREAS, beyond policy and infrastructure, Valerie has uplifted the heart of the community by championing public art, parks, cultural programming, and beloved traditions-from Music & Market at Todos Santos Plaza to the Creative Concord mural program-fostering a sense of place and pride cherished by residents; and
WHEREAS, Valerie’s leadership, resilience, and love for community have left a legacy that will continue to shape Concord and the region for years to come; and
WHEREAS, as she retires in June 2026, we honor not only her accomplishments, but the spirit in which she achieved them-with generosity, wisdom, and a profound belief in the power of partnership.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Supervisors does hereby honor Valerie Barone for her remarkable service, her enduring impact on the community, and her unwavering commitment to public good.
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