Contra Costa Supervisors To Discuss Raising Fines On Businesses (Possibly Up To $20K) Who Violate County’s COVID-19 Health Order

Contra Costa County, California – Fines for businesses who violate Contra Costa County’s COVID-19 health order could increase by thousands of dollars as soon as next Tuesday.

On December 8, 2020, Board members, including Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, expressed interest in increasing the maximum amount of fines that can be levied for health order violations. Mitchoff proposed fines of anywhere between $10,000 – $20,000, saying “it’s time to bring the hammer down.”

Mitchoff then asked for the item to be added to this coming Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors agenda.

During the meeting, the Board may wish to either consider increasing fines, or leave the existing ordinance and existing fine amounts in place and consider alternative methods of enforcement.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, Assistant Sheriff John Lowden, and Environmental Health Director Randy Sawyer will also be discussing enforcement of the public health order.