Contra Costa pension board lowers fund's investment income projections

Following a statewide trend, the Contra Costa County Employees Retirement Association on Wednesday lowered its expectations on how much the $5 billion pension fund will earn from its holdings such as stocks, bonds and real estate.

The trustees reduced the pension fund's annual assumed rate of return by one half a percentage point from 7.75 percent to 7.25 percent.

As a result, it and Orange County now have the lowest rates in the state among the 19 counties with independent retirement systems.

Read more here.

Contra Costa dumps plan for call center, 214 new jobs

Unable to reach a deal with its labor unions, Contra Costa County has abandoned plans to operate a new state health insurance exchange call center, a move that will cost 214 new county jobs.

Read details here.

Contra Costa seeks pension board candidates

Contra Costa residents with a business, pension fund investment or banking background are being sought for an at-large seat on the Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association board of trustees.

 The filing deadline is 5 p.m. April 5.

Read the full article, and details of how to apply, here. 

Leadership crisis mounts at Contra Costa fire district

This  Contra Costa Times editorial says:

Contra Costa supervisors, who serve as directors of the county's largest fire district, seem to be running out of patience with Chief Daryl Louder. The frustration led to a public dressing down Tuesday the likes of which we haven't seen in decades.

We can only wonder what took so long. It was justified.

Next Contra Costa registrar of voters will be former Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla of Pittsburg

The board of supervisors unanimously chose Canciamilla over the retiring incumbent's brother and Pleasant Hill Councilman Jack Weir late Tuesday after public interviews with both men.

Details here. 

County Administrator May Stay

According to this article, David Twa may stay as County Administrator:  

Speaking of County Administrator David Twa, it looks like he will be sticking around.

Applicants for Grand Jury Sought

Application Deadline is Friday, April 12, 2013 

The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for the fiscal year 2013-2014 term.