Alameda County supes violated Brown Act in filling Wilma Chan's vacancy, judge rules - Local News Matters

A judge ruled that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors violated the Brown Act during David Brown's appointment as interim Supervisor in 2021, following Supervisor Wilma Chan's death. The Alameda County Taxpayers' Association filed a lawsuit claiming the Board's agenda misled the public by not clearly indicating that a vote on Brown's appointment would take place. Judge Michael Markman criticized the agenda for being “opaque and confusing,” stating it failed to adequately inform the public. The court denied four of the five allegations made by the Taxpayers' Association, including claims of restrictive public comment and secret meetings. However, it mandated that the Board must clearly state future voting intentions and identify all candidates for interim appointments.

Brown received support from Chan's family and was a former chief of staff. His appointment raised concerns regarding residency requirements, which the court ruled did not apply to interim appointments. This ruling emphasizes the necessity for transparency in government processes.