By Matthias Gafni, Contra Costa Times

As the Concord City Council weighed options Tuesday night to address a $3.5 million structural deficit, it sent a strong message to staff that saving $300,000 by closing Camp Concord would not be considered.

The camp, near Lake Tahoe and created more than four decades ago to serve the city’s youth, was a jewel for the community, all five council members said. They asked staff to find ways to save the camp and increase the occupancy rate, which has dwindled in recent years.

In addition to council support, numerous campers came to the meeting and voiced their concerns that the campground — which is owned by the federal government, but operated by the city of Concord — would be shuttered.

Staff had recommended ending operations and selling off its assets, such as the bath houses, cabins and other infrastructure at the site.

At the budget workshop, the council also discussed forcing school districts to shoulder the funding for five school resource officers patrolling campuses, potentially saving the city $900,000.

No formal decisions will be made until June.