YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 35
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City launches 9-1-1 text service
Art, wine and all that jazz
Correspondent
A Grandin Event
S
Photo by Tony Kukulich
unday Paper performed at the Art, Wine & Jazz Festival in Brentwood Saturday, Aug. 26. To view additional photos of the event, see page 22A. To view a slideshow and video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia.
see 9-1-1 page 30A
Millions found in ECCFPD account by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District recently discovered a multimillion-dollar sum of money. Dating back to late 2014 and early 2015, an account that was erroneously left behind when the district transferred its funds and financial operations from the county to the district has now grown to $6.2 million. “Most of the district’s funds remained in the county treasury accounts, despite the understanding that only two accounting funds would remain for the purpose of receiving property tax revenues,” said interim Fire Chief Brian
Helmick, who took over the job in April. “The remaining accounting funds were to be closed and balances transferred to the district. However, this transfer did not occur.” Helmick said the mistake first came to light when he and Board Director Joe Young, chair of the finance subcommittee, began reviewing the district’s finances. Subsequent investigation, meetings with Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller Robert Campbell and an overdue 2014 to 2015 audit appear to have confirmed the findings – although 2015 to 2016 and 2016 to 2017 audits still need to be completed to finalize the specifics of the situation. “A number of people had a
hand in it,” said Campbell, who noted that the county sent the district monthly account statements that went to only one person. “There was a lack of understanding of what the situation was in terms of what we held. We really didn’t understand what was going on, on the district side.” Helmick said it appears the funds grew by about $2 million a year for the past three or four years, largely due to savings stacking up when staffing levels fell due to attrition and stations closing earlier than budgeted. “There are a lot of reasons why (the mistake) happened,” he said. “It’s really a system issue. It’s a communication breakdown, and there is really no one individual per
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Vice Mayor Resigns
Brentwood Vice Mayor Steve Barr announces his resignation from city council. Page 4A
by Amy Schrader Antioch residents can now text 9-1-1, but are advised to only do so when calling for help may be unsafe. The Antioch Police Department announced the new service last week, making it the first agency in East Contra Costa County and one of very few in Northern California – including Richmond – to offer the ability to text for help. “This service enables people to text 9-1-1 if they’re in a position that would not be safe to make a call,” said Antioch Police Chief Tammany Brooks. “It also gives hearing impaired people an opportunity to reach out for help if they need it.” The Antioch Police Department is asking people to reserve the new service for life-threatening emergencies and to always call 9-1-1, instead
September 1, 2017
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se, but it’s the system overall, and I am responsible for making sure it runs smoothly.” The mistake carried over to the district’s budget-making process. For three budget cycles, yearend balances instead of the actual amounts were carried over. As a result, the district’s carryover for the 2017 to 2018 budget appears to be $10.1 million, as opposed to the $3.9 million that was previously identified and approved in the district’s 2017 to 2018 preliminary fiscal year budget. Since the found funds comprise savings and will not be available on an ongoing basis, it’s
Autism advocate Temple Grandin draws hundreds to an event in East County. Page 6A
Solid Showing For Heritage
Heritage High School beats Tokay High School in exciting season opener. Page 1B
see ECCFPD page 30A
Calendar............................... 7B Classifieds..........................26A Cop Logs............................... 6B Entertainment..................10A Food.....................................11A Health & Beauty...............18A Milestones.........................13A Pets......................................20A Sports.................................... 1B
BART Changes
Cleaner Air
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
BART directors to vote on new policies to the agency’s small business program.
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Contra Costa County is taking steps to make the environment healthier, cleaner.