Accountability journalism for the corridors California forgot.
209 · East Bay · Solano County · 707
Stockton’s city council voted itself a 30% pay raise on a 4–3 vote while city employees are still in contract negotiations. Antioch’s city manager is on sudden leave of absence after a closed-session council meeting. Vallejo is operating under an interim city manager with an open police auditor search and no permanent executive. Manteca’s Measure Q is tracking more than $15 million a year as the city moves toward a September groundbreaking on a new police station. DFP noticed all of it.
On approximately May 5, 2026, the Stockton City Council voted 4–3 to boost council member salaries by 30% — from $30,833 to $40,000 annually, effective 2027. Voting yes: Mayor Christina Fugazi, Councilmembers Brando Villapudua, Michele Padilla, and Mariela Ponce. Voting no: Vice Mayor Jason Lee, and Councilmembers Michael Blower and Mario Enrquíez. Mayor Fugazi’s own salary of $97,107 was not affected by the vote. A Salary Setting Commission had unanimously recommended the increase in March. A 46% option ($45,000) was considered and rejected. Current council pay represents 39% of median Stockton household income ($79,907). Vice Mayor Lee said approving raises “while we haven’t finalized their contracts would be disastrous for us” — a reference to outstanding employee union negotiations. Mayor Fugazi countered: “All I am saying is if people don’t think that this council is doing 40 hours a week, they are sadly mistaken.” Resident Tom Alfieri said he thought the raise “should be on the ballot.” Resident Evlyn Velez: “Is this what I expect? Yes. Is it right? No.” The California State Controller’s Office continues its internal control audit of Stockton covering July 2023–December 2025, triggered by the Colangelo-era fund diversions. The timing of a pay vote during that audit is a question DFP intends to pursue.
City Manager Bessie Marie Scott was placed on a leave of absence effective May 6, the day after the City Council met in closed session on May 5. Community members supporting Scott held a press conference at 12:30 PM on May 5. Scott was hired in August 2023 on a 2-year contract in a 3–2 vote; Councilmembers Barbanica and Ogorochock voted against her hiring. Her tenure included closing a $54 million budget deficit, reducing a 24% staff vacancy rate, winning six city awards, and adding a public information officer. No public explanation for the leave has been issued.
On May 9, the Stockton City Council approved mid-year budget adjustments totaling more than $6.5 million following a tense session. Central dispute: police substations. Vice Mayor Lee has advocated for two substations for more than a year. Councilmembers debated whether there is sufficient funding and enough sworn officers to staff them. Separately, the council is considering $500,000 for leftover budget items including substation rollout and the clearance of a north Stockton tent encampment.
Edition 3 Follow-UpCity Manager Andrew Murray resigned April 8. Harry Black has been appointed interim city manager. The Police Oversight and Accountability Commission released an RFP for an independent police auditor on April 28. The POAC is conducting its most consequential work — complaint policy adoption and auditor selection — with no permanent executive leadership. Black’s posture on the POAC process has not been publicly stated. The auditor will audit use-of-force and bias incidents and review investigatory reports.
Manteca is targeting a September groundbreaking for a new police station at the 600 block of South Main Street, replacing a facility built in the late 1970s. The station will include a real-time crime center with access to cameras citywide and drone-as-first-responder capability. Measure Q revenue is tracking in excess of $15 million annually. Measure Q receipts may also be used to fund a sixth fire station in southwest Manteca.
New population data shows Lathrop added 2,151 residents and is the 5th fastest growing city in California at 5.5% growth. Mountain House is 4th at 5.64%. Manteca is 15th at 1.5%. Tracy is approaching 100,000 residents. South San Joaquin County is the fastest-growing sub-region in the state. Growth at this pace means infrastructure decisions made today have 30-year consequences. Lathrop garbage rates are also proposed to increase 4.89% effective July 1.
Edition 3 Follow-UpThe Teamsters Local 150 strike that began February 28 has now exceeded 70 days with no contract resolution publicly announced. The county has ratified at least two other union contracts during the same period. Striking attorneys have warned supervisors that “chaos is looming.” What is different about this bargaining unit? No Sixth Amendment dismissal motions have been publicly reported — yet.
Vallejo is simultaneously hunting for a police auditor, operating without a permanent city manager, and watching its police oversight commission take its first real steps — all at the same time. That convergence is the accountability story of the 707 right now.
The Police Oversight and Accountability Commission is conducting its two most consequential actions: drafting a complaint policy for Vallejo PD personnel and selecting an independent police auditor (RFP issued April 28). City Manager Murray is gone. Interim Black has no stated position. The commission has no subpoena powers, but the auditor could change that reach.
Hoopes Vineyard, Smith-Madrone, and Summit Lake now have live First Amendment retaliation claims in federal district court following the 9th Circuit’s April 13–14 reversal. The Hoopes $3.96M judgment (including $1.53M in civil penalties and $2.25M in attorney’s fees) remains temporarily stayed by the California Court of Appeal. Pacific Legal Foundation is co-counsel.
Rincon Valley Union School District (Sonoma County) approved $6 million in cuts for the 2026–27 school year, eliminating 44+ certificated positions (primarily teachers) and 16+ classified staff. Root cause: declining enrollment, end of pandemic relief funds, rising costs. The structural driver is the same across every 707 district in distress.
Howell Mountain Elementary School District is cutting mental health services and three positions to save approximately $300,000. Reserves dropping from ~$1M to ~$600K. Budget is “qualified.” The Mayacamas litigation cloud adds a separate pressure point on Napa County’s education infrastructure.
Lathrop (5th fastest), Mountain House (4th fastest), Manteca (15th fastest), Tracy approaching 100,000 residents. The fastest-growing sub-region in California is making 30-year infrastructure decisions in real time. Development agreements, fee structures, and construction contracts at this scale are accountability stories waiting to happen.
“The council voted itself a 30% raise while employees are still in contract negotiations. Vice Mayor Lee called it disastrous.”
DFP On The Record · Vol. 1 No. 4 · May 8, 2026
| Jurisdiction | Request | Statute | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antioch City Clerk | May 5 closed session agenda; any City Manager performance evaluation or separation-related communications from the past 60 days | Gov. Code § 6250 | Now |
| Stockton Police Dept. | Current sworn officer count; staffing levels required for two proposed police substations; any internal feasibility assessments | Gov. Code § 6250 | Now |
| Vallejo City Clerk | All responses received to April 28 police auditor RFP; City Manager Murray separation documentation; interim City Manager Black communications re: POAC | Gov. Code § 6250 | Now |
| Lathrop City Clerk | All development agreements approved or pending since January 2025; infrastructure fee schedules in effect as of May 2026 | Gov. Code § 6250 | Queue |
| Manteca City Clerk | Measure Q expenditure reports through April 2026; new police station construction contract documents and cost estimates | Gov. Code § 6250 | Queue |
The California State Controller’s Office launched an internal controls audit of Stockton on January 29, covering July 2023–December 2025. Triggered by former Interim City Manager Colangelo’s unauthorized diversion of ~$200,000 in DEI funds and an ~$850,000 nonprofit letter without council approval. Interim findings have not been publicly released. Council’s May 5 pay vote occurred while that audit is active.
Turlock’s 30-day response window to Newsom’s March 25 final violation notice expired approximately April 24. The city stated it was “awaiting HCD clarification” before resubmitting. No public announcement of compliance or AG referral has been made. Watch HCD’s compliance database for status change.
The Trump DOI is reconsidering the Biden-era land-into-trust determination for Scotts Valley Band’s $700M casino-resort. A ruling on gaming eligibility is expected this summer. Four competing tribes are simultaneously litigating territorial claims. The Vallejo preview casino MOU (approved April 14) is the tribe’s bridge. Watch BIA dockets for the preliminary ruling date.