FY 2026-27 Proposed Midcycle Budget

Criticized high OPD overtime spending and failure to fund mandated positions for the Inspector General and civilian oversight.

Demanded full funding and unfrozen staff positions for the police commission, CPRA, and inspector general.

Thanked the council for increasing senior center hours while urging them to find permanent funding without cutting senior aide positions.

Representing the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, thanked the council for public safety investments and urged greater focus on economic recovery and business support.

Spoke as a local 21 union president criticizing lack of cost-of-living increases and high vacancies while workers absorb higher healthcare costs.

Warned that disrespecting workers during bargaining damages morale and recruitment, noting whispers of a strike.

Urged the council to allocate the third tranche of Measure U funding to affordable housing to maintain progress against homelessness.

Highlighted a unique market opportunity with low multi-family housing costs and urged releasing Measure U tranche 3 funds.

Expressed shock at $0 allocated for affordable housing construction and urged dedicating $50 million from Measure U.

Emphasized that local Measure U funds leverage state homekey money three to fourfold and urged dedicating $50 million.

Objected to funding a constitutional policing administrator while the independent police commission and inspector general lack full funding.

Thanked the mayor for restoring full library funding and praised the diverse community services provided by libraries.

Expressed appreciation for fully funding libraries under Measure C and highlighted libraries as cost-effective community assets.

Supported parking policy staying with OakDOT and urged restoring parking enforcement dispatch and weekend enforcement.

Urged releasing the third tranche of Measure U funds to support shovel-ready affordable housing projects like Williams Chapel.

Expressed outrage over proposed contract changes denying cost-of-living adjustments and increasing healthcare costs for Local 21 workers.

Expressed concern over zero housing allocations in the proposed budget and urged committing $50 million in Measure U.

Requested local Measure U funds to help projects like 1707 Wood Street compete for state resources.

Raised concerns regarding unallocated grant funds, lack of equity impacts, and police staffing ratios.

Urged allocating at least $50 million from Measure U tranche 3 to HCD for shovel-ready affordable housing.

Requested committing a minimum of $50 million of remaining Measure U housing funds to tackle frozen pipelines.

Stressed that local funding availability is essential to securing federal HUD and state funds for senior housing.

Highlighted animal services overcrowding and recent rescue scandals, urging adequate funding for OAS.

Called out OPD overtime overspending and emphasized the need for proper vehicle maintenance funds in public works.

Expressed disagreement with budget allocations, high parking fees, and lack of accessible community services.

Urged funding interim and permanent supportive housing beds to prevent spikes in unhoused encampments.

Criticized the budget for freezing three crucial CPRA positions and failing to provide cost-of-living adjustments for city workers.

Highlighted staff turnover due to uncompetitive pay and questioned high police overtime spending compared to other city needs.

Urged the council to support city workers who keep services running and return the bargaining team to the table with fair offers.

Criticized structural overspending in OPD and the freezing of CPRA positions while workers face pay cuts.