As campaign finance disclosures continue to roll in, it becomes increasingly apparent that Measure RTM, the new transit tax, is a favorite of special interests.

Thus far, unions representing transit workers have donated $1.9 million to the “YES on RTM” while contractors getting transit agency business have kicked in an additional $1.6 million.

The unions and contractors know that they will get a portion of the $17 billion tax windfall RTM will generate over fourteen years.

If you have yet to complete your ballot, please do so and make sure to Vote NO on RTM.

Power Grab at The Union Cemetery District

This piece was contributed by Patricia Bristow, CoCoTax Member and Chair of the Union Cemetery District Board of Trustees, and by her fellow trustees: Emil Geddes and Michael Walko.

Part of the mission of Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CoCoTax) is to watch the way our government agencies manage the tax money they collect.  Even what appears to be a small overreach is concerning, as allowing it empowers greater power grabs.  Such a grab is happening right now in Eastern Contra Costa.

The Union Cemetery District

Union Cemetery has served the East Contra Costa County community since 1878. In 1927, it became an independent California special district through a vote of the district's constituents.  Today, the District serves the communities of Byron, Brentwood, Knightsen, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, and the eastern portion of Oakley. Property tax revenues from these communities help fund the operation, maintenance, and preservation of the district.

The District is governed by three trustees. Patricia Bristow (appointed in 2014) serves as Chairperson alongside Trustees Michael Walko and Emil Geddes. The trustees are appointed by Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis.  The county’s only role is the appointment of trustees.  The trustees manage the operations, policies and decisions.

What the Trustees Have Accomplished

These long-time trustees have managed the District’s money in a fiscally responsible way while making needed improvements to serve the needs of the community.  The district is currently undertaking an approximately $2.3 million cemetery improvement project, which will include a new office, a veterans' area, electrical and irrigation upgrades, improved security cameras and Internet infrastructure, a new septic system, and a new entrance and gate featuring an iron archway. They have invested funds that were dormant and earning no interest for over 26 years, which they were unaware of. The county earned interest on these funds, the District never received any of those returns. Furthermore, they attempted to prevent the Board from removing the funds.

Most of us don’t realize the value of a public cemetery.  For those wishing burial, a public cemetery is often approximately half the cost of burial in a private cemetery, or less. For this reason, public cemeteries are an especially important and necessary option for constituents.

What Supervisor Burgis Wants to Do

Supervisor Candace Andersen is seeking to consolidate this cemetery district with the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery district.  In early 2024, LAFCo held several meetings to discuss the cemeteries, all of which were posted on the LAFCo website. During these meetings, Supervisor Burgis expressed support for this plan. The areas served are not contiguous. Union Cemetery District has a balanced budget; Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District has a balanced budget, but a $3.5 Million infrastructure problem, that they have no funds for.  The Union Cemetery District covers a less wealthy tax base; Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District is far richer.  If there is a shortfall in the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District property tax apportionment, that’s their issue, not one to be solved by consolidating the two districts and “sharing” the debt.

Per the LAFCo / Berkson Study, published May 3, 2024, this is the following statistic - Assessed Value of property in each district: ALCD - $68.6 billion, BBKUCD - $21 billion.        According to the Berkson study neither District’s Board of Trustees wanted to consolidate.

The Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District has a substantially larger assessed value. The Union Cemetery District has worked for years to build up reserves, acquire land, and make necessary improvements through conservative financial management.  Why should its budget be negatively impacted?

The Plan to Make This Happen

As Supervisor Burgis knows the current Union Cemetery District trustees are united in opposition to this plan.  The current trustees have done a great job in managing the district; it is customary and typical throughout the state to reappoint them, should they wish to continue to serve.  However, a plan is afoot to replace all of them with hand-selected trustees by Supervisor Burgis to ensure the consolidation takes place.

Shockingly, this consolidation can take place without any East County residents being aware of it.  Not only have most of them not heard of the plans, but they also have no say.  There is not going to be a vote. 

It’s up to us, the members of CoCoTax, to help get the word out to preserve the board as it is. 

Special districts exist to serve the communities that created and fund them. Taxpayers should expect transparency, accountability, responsible fiscal management, and respect for local governance.

One way you could help is to write letters expressing your support for the retention of the current trustees, and to express concern with the consolidation plan. 

You can submit a letter by email or mail to:

[email protected]

BBKUCD
PO Box 551
Brentwood, CA 94513

Upcoming Event

CoCoTax Lunch, October 23: November Tax Ballot Measures with Rob Gutierrez, CalTax
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 11:45am – 1:15pm PDT | Denny's, 1313 Willow Pass Road, Concord