Toby the "Watchdog"

Welcome to Clayton Watch! 

A place where you can find the pulse of the city, the truth, letters and opinions from residents, city events, campaign statements, links to city hall, and so much more. With hundreds of articles to view, try our “Search Queries” feature to the right and enter a keyword or phrase. Want to dig deeper? Use the Labels feature at the bottom of each article to find related stories. And if you’re hunting for something specific, our "Popular Posts" feature to the right is another quick way to get there.

Top Story

Civil Grand Jury Watches Government, But Who’s Watching Them?  

By David King, Diablo Gazette / Photos Added by Clayton Watch 

2025/2026 Civil Grand Jury with the Board of Supervisors

The Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury is annually impaneled to investigate city and county governments, special districts and certain nonprofit corporations to ensure functions are performed in a lawful, economical and efficient manner. Recommendations resulting from these investigations are listed.

This year, a just released report 2602 is a highly critical Civil Grand Jury review of Contra Costa County’s Internal Audit Division (IAD), concluding that the County’s internal auditing system is outdated, lacks independence, and does not comply with professional auditing standards or California law and says the current structure undermines both independence and public accountability.

Among the Findings
The Grand Jury says the County’s internal audit operation has major structural problems.

One of the more egregious findings is the Internal Audit Division has not had an outside quality review in more than 25 years, even though auditing standards require one every 3–5 years.

It cites examples indicating the audit division is functioning in what the report calls a major conflict of interest and “independence impairment.”

Oversight from the Board of Supervisors is described as weak and largely symbolic.

The audit division operates under a governing administrative bulletin written in 1975 that has never been modernized to reflect current standards.

The County does not publicly post completed internal audit reports or annual audit plans online and lacks several standard safeguards expected in modern government auditing.

Jury Recommendations
The Grand Jury recommends sweeping reforms, including:

* Creating a dedicated Audit Committee and adding outside/public financial experts.
* Ending the practice of auditors helping prepare the County’s financial reports. 

* Requiring quarterly reporting to supervisors.
* Publishing audit reports publicly online.
* Bringing the division into compliance with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and Government Accountability Office (GAGAS) standards.

The County must respond to the Court regarding recommendations offered by the report.

Last year when the Clayton City Council had to respond to its Civil Grand Jury Report 2505. The Council responded with an emphatic “no” to most of the report’s recommendations, citing the investigators used inaccurate figures, dismissed audited figures and other information provided and misunderstands local government procedures and functions.

In addition, believing the report was detrimental to the City’s reputation, the local Political Action Committee, Clayton Watch, submitted a petition to the Court requesting a correction or amendment to their report.

Did they do it? It doesn’t appear so.

“The new Pinole Civil Grand Jury Report 2604 shows what good oversight looks like: facts, benchmarks, and transparency,” said Gary Hood, a member of the Clayton Watch and Clayton resident who filed the petition.

“Last year’s Clayton report did the opposite. It started with a conclusion, then worked backward and failed badly to support it.

“Maybe it’s time for the Civil Grand Jury to look in the mirror. A watchdog should be held to the same standard it demands of everyone else. Political influence has no place in the process. The public deserves independence, objectivity, and facts. And maybe it’s time someone on the judiciary side of the street did their job. Who watches the watchdog?”   

Memorial Day Belongs to the Fallen, Not the Politicians

Shared Correspondence from the Community: We value the diverse perspectives of our readers and aim to encourage meaningful conversations. Occasionally, we may share excerpts from correspondence received from our followers or gathered from social media to promote civil discussions. While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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Dear Clayton Community:

I attended Memorial Day ceremonies in both Clayton and Pleasant Hill this year, and the contrast was striking. Clayton’s ceremony was extraordinary, and the reason was simple: no politicians spoke.

Instead, we heard from the families who lost a son or daughter. We heard from uniformed personnel who participated meaningfully in the program. The focus stayed exactly where it belonged: on those who died in service to our country. It was profoundly moving in a way these ceremonies too rarely are.

Pleasant Hill, by contrast, followed the pattern Clayton itself has fallen into in past years. A parade of elected officials, most of whom never served, took turns at the microphone. Politicians were seated in the front rows and essentially applauded themselves for showing up. Gold Star families received little recognition. A day meant for solemn remembrance became, in effect, another campaign stop.

This is not a partisan complaint, and I mean no offense to our neighbors in Pleasant Hill, who clearly put care into their event. The problem cuts across parties. Memorial Day is not Veterans Day, when we thank the living. It is not the Fourth of July, when civic speeches are fitting. It is the one day each year set aside specifically to honor Americans who gave their lives, and it deserves to be protected from the gravitational pull of politics. When a congressman, county supervisor, or council member who never wore the uniform takes the podium ahead of a grieving mother, something has gone wrong.

Clayton got it right this year. The families spoke. The service members stood at the center. The dead were remembered as individuals, not as backdrops. I hope our city keeps it exactly this way, and I hope other communities take note. The best thing politicians can do on Memorial Day is sit quietly in the back, listen, and let the day belong to those who earned it.

Featured in the Diablo Gazette, May 1, 2026

City Council Correspondence: The excerpts below have been sourced from the Diablo Gazette to share with the Clayton Watch Community. You can access the article in the Diablo Gazette's website by following this link:  

https://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Diablo-Gazette-May-2026-D1.pdf

While we may not always agree with the opinions shared, we believe in facilitating a platform for respectful debates. Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation in the comments section. Remember to keep your comments respectful and concise.

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What the Results Mean for Our City 

by Jeff Wan, Mayor

Restoring What We Already Own

Cities often focus on what is new. New projects are visible and easy to point to. But the more important work is maintaining what we already have. Our City is responsible for a wide range of public assets, including the library, roads, parks, sidewalks, trails, and open space. All of these require regular care. Paint fades, trees grow, road markings wear down, and infrastructure ages. That is expected. The issue is how we manage that responsibility.

A System Without a Schedule
Since 2019, I have raised concerns that still exist today. The City does not have a comprehensive inventory or maintenance schedule for many of its assets. We have not clearly defined how often key items should be inspected or maintained. How often should the Library be painted? How often should trees along trails be assessed? How frequently should road markings or sidewalks be reviewed? Too often, the answer is unclear. Instead, the City has relied on an ad hoc approach. When a problem becomes visible, it gets addressed. When it does not, it can go years without attention. This creates gaps where routine maintenance is missed and small issues grow into larger ones. At the same time, the City has increased its reserves. That is a positive step and reflects fiscal discipline. But it also highlights a tradeoff. When maintenance is deferred, costs shift into the future while needs continue to build.

A Shift Toward Action
That approach is starting to change. With new leadership and a renewed focus, staff have begun identifying and addressing deferred maintenance across the City. An initial list of projects was recently presented. It is not complete, but it marks a shift toward a more proactive approach. Work is already underway. Weed abatement and landscape maintenance have expanded across major corridors, hillsides, and open space, with more areas scheduled in the coming weeks. Crews are also addressing core needs such as irrigation repairs, removal of dead vegetation, replanting, fence repairs, and ongoing tree trimming throughout the community and along trails. We are also addressing a backlog of safety-related items, including curb painting, replacement of street signs, roadway reflectors, and refreshed striping at intersections and crosswalks. These improvements directly affect visibility and safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Investing in Longer-Term Improvements
Alongside this work, the City is advancing more significant infrastructure projects. We are moving toward more durable roadway repairs through a new pothole contract focused on longer-lasting solutions. This will be supported by a broader pavement project planned for Summer and Fall 2026. Pedestrian safety is also a priority. Downtown improvements will include raised crossings and intersections, along with flashing beacon systems to increase visibility at key locations. Beyond downtown, an ADA-accessible pathway between Four Oaks Lane and Pine Hollow is in design and supported by dedicated funding. Trail improvements, including repairs to the Cardinet Trail, are also moving forward. These efforts reflect a more coordinated approach to safety, accessibility, and long-term reliability.

From Reactive to Routine
The goal is simple. We need to move from an ad hoc system to a scheduled one. That means creating a clear inventory of City assets, setting maintenance intervals, and planning for these needs on a recurring basis. With that structure in place, we can manage costs more effectively and predictably. We have made progress in building reserves. Now we need to apply that same discipline to maintaining what those reserves are meant to protect. Taking care of what we already own may not draw attention, but it is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a City.

Switching gears

I want to announce the opening of a new local business, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming - a neighborhood pet store, offering full-service grooming and a wide selection of nutritious pet treats and food. They are at 5433 Clayton Road Suite M. https://woofgangbakery.com/pages/locations/clayton

Top Story

HOLD THE HORSES, CLAYTON 

Before Any Tax Increase, Show Us the Real Numbers.

For years, residents were told Clayton needed a tax increase, even while the City's books were still being reviewed, corrected, and clarified.

Budget forecasts were often built on questionable baselines, incomplete assumptions, and financial data many residents now believe should have been more carefully verified before being presented publicly as fact.

But were those projections accurate?

Many residents are no longer convinced they were.

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Cleanup Is Underway, But the Work Isn't Finished

To their credit, the current Council and staff appear to have spent significant time:

• Reviewing contracts
• Examining prior spending
• Identifying accounting problems
• Strengthening financial controls

That work matters.

But despite those efforts, residents are still hearing mixed and sometimes conflicting financial messages.

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The Numbers Still Keep Moving

Residents are now hearing that revenues may be softening, deficits could reach approximately $778,000, and new taxes may be necessary.

At the same time, many are asking a far more important question:

Is this really the right time to discuss a tax increase?

Or should the City first complete the financial cleanup and clearly establish its true revenue stream, actual expenses, and long-term financial position?

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Questions About Property Tax Revenue

In California, most properties typically receive annual assessed-value increases of up to 2%, and when homes sell, reassessments often occur at significantly higher market values.

In a stable community like Clayton, property tax revenue would generally be expected to trend upward over time.

So when residents hear revenue may be down, reasonable questions follow:

• Is it a timing issue?
• A county allocation delay?
• A forecasting error?
• Misclassified revenue?
• Appeals or refunds?
• Or something else not yet explained publicly?

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Questions About Sales Tax Revenue

It was reported at the last City Council meeting that online sales tax revenues were increasing.

So residents are asking: Why are we discussing a sales tax increase when revenues may actually be performing better than expected?

Residents are not saying the City has no financial challenges. What they're saying is simple:

Before asking taxpayers for more money, the public deserves accurate, verified, and transparent financial information.

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Residents Want Answers

• What are the true reserve levels?
• What expenses have already been reduced?
• What new revenues are coming in?
• What liabilities remain unresolved?
• Where do the City's finances actually stand today?

These are not political questions. They are responsible taxpayer questions.

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What About Investment Income and Reserves?

• What investment income is being generated from City reserve accounts?
• Why do reserve balances remain strong while deficit warnings continue?
• Which funds are restricted and which are available?
• What previously budgeted projects were never completed or spent?

Those questions deserve clear public answers.

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Timing Matters

Rushing into a tax discussion before the financial picture is fully stabilized may be the wrong approach.

The City reportedly still maintains significant reserve funds that may help bridge short-term uncertainty while staff completes the hard work of correcting past issues.

That is one of the reasons reserves exist — stability during periods of uncertainty.

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Before Asking Residents for More

Before any sales tax, parcel tax, or assessment measure moves forward, the City should first provide:

✔ Verified revenue projections
✔ Clean and transparent expense reporting
✔ Clear reserve disclosures
✔ Investment income reporting
✔ A corrected multi-year forecast
✔ A public explanation for why prior projections changed so dramatically.

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Bottom Line

Residents are not saying "never."

They are saying:

Not yet.

Get the numbers right first. Finish the cleanup first. Then make the case.

Because until the books are clear, credible, and trusted...

Hold the horses.

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— Clayton Watch Team