Bay Area

Mayor Thao Proposes New Budget that Avoids Layoffs and Protects Oakland City Services

Mayor Sheng Thao this week released her “One Oakland” Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2025 Proposed Budget. Despite a massive two-year deficit of $360 million, the budget proposal closes the gap and makes needed investments in community priorities while streamlining city government.

Published

3 years ago

May 11, 2023

Oakland Post

Mayor Sheng Thao.

The proposal closes a $360 million two-year deficit while investing in affordable housing, infrastructure, and early childhood education.

By Post Staff

“We inherited the largest deficit in Oakland’s history, but thanks to the ingenuity and hard work of our City staff, we have found a way to not only close that gap, but actually lay the foundation for Oakland to be stronger in the future,” said Thao.

“We had to make some tough choices in this budget, but in the end, we not only avoided catastrophic closures and cuts, we made real investments in our shared future,” said Thao. “This is a roadmap to weathering this crisis, making us more resilient to future challenges.”

Though the city’s General Purpose Fund faces a large deficit, other revenue sources do not. The proposed budget leverages these funding sources to make significant investments, including:

The largest investment in affordable housing in Oakland’s history:The proposal allocates over $200 million over two years for affordable housing.
Expansion of early childhood education:Utilizing federal, state, and local funds would allow for expansion of hours and services at Oakland’s Head Start and Early Head Start program.
Infrastructure improvements:The budget proposes more than $106 million to build, repair and upgrade parks, recreation facilities, libraries, storm drains, and non-road infrastructure, including $87 million for street repaving.
Safer streets:More than $9.1million will be directed to calm traffic, improve intersection safety and provide safe routes near schools to help reduce traffic violence and save lives. This includes $3.2 million for bike and pedestrian plans.
Reimagining public safety:The proposals continue city efforts to ‘civilianize’ certain functions of the Oakland Police Department by moving responsibility for Internal Affairs investigations from OPD to the Community Police Review Agency, allowing police investigators to be transferred to critical community safety units.
Information technology: The proposal adds $10 million to upgrade and harden cybersecurity protections.

Nikki Fortunato Bas.

Carroll Fife

Rebecca Kaplan.

Kevin Jenkins.

Other changes would consolidate and streamline departments to make government more effective and efficient.

Homelessness services would be merged with the Housing & Community Development Department for improved coordination.

Intergenerational family support programs provided by Parks, Recreation and Youth Development Department and Human Services Department will be combined into a new Department of Children, Youth and Families to provide more seamless services for families.

The Department of Economic & Workforce Development will be merged into the Department of Planning, Building, and Economic Development to provide a streamlined approach to housing production and major project development.

Releasing a press statement Monday, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and her budget team, including Councilmembers Carroll Fife, Kevin Jenkins, and Rebecca Kaplan, commended Thao for her plan to achieve a balanced budget while avoiding layoffs, maintaining critical services, and making record investments in affordable housing.

“We are very pleased to see the largest investment in affordable housing in Oakland’s history — $200 million over two years,” said Council President Bas. “Affordable housing is Oakland residents’ top priority, and we will finally make progress creating housing that’s accessible to very low-income and working families.”

“Oaklanders want results, and the proposed reorganization is a smart strategy to cut the bureaucracy and make government deliver,” said Fife. “I’ve called for the integration of Oakland’s housing and homelessness programs, together with my colleagues. (These changes) will help us focus on actually housing our unsheltered neighbors.”

“The mayor’s budget builds on the foundation the Council put in place to create a holistic community safety system,” said Councilmember and Public Safety Chair Rebecca Kaplan.

“This plan advances the work that I initiated with our community by expanding alternative crisis response through the Fire Department’s MACRO program,” Kaplan said. “It also continues critical violence prevention programs and civilianizes Internal Affairs investigations so those officers get out onto our streets.”

“Unlike past budget deficits, there are no federal bailouts this time,” said Councilmember and Finance Chair Kevin Jenkins. “I appreciate that the mayor used every possible tool to close the deficit and maintain current City of Oakland employees — from the hiring slowdown announced in March to freezing vacancies and attrition.”

Oakland city workers represented by SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, IAFF Local 55, and IBEW Local 1245 have released a joint statement in support of the mayor’s proposal.

“We applaud the mayor for balancing a historic deficit while protecting essential city services, preventing layoffs, and making the largest investment in affordable housing in Oakland’s history, the unions’ statement said.

“While we understand brownouts in fire services are a reality, we hope that as the budget improves, we focus on restoring services for residents,” said firefighter and paramedic Zac Unger, IAFF Local 55 President.

“The decision to balance the budget by freezing some vacant positions instead of laying off city workers is a critical one to protect services for residents,” said lead electrician Michael Patterson, IBEW Local 1245 chief steward.

“Many city workers are currently doing the jobs of two or three people. The mayor’s budget proposal is a major step towards addressing the understaffing crisis so that we can deliver better services to residents,” said recreation center director Angelica Lopez, chapter treasurer of SEIU Local 1021. “As we move forward with the budget process, ensuring that there are no service cuts for residents and no impact on filled positions must be major priorities for all of us.”

The City Council held a special meeting May 3 where Mayor Thao presented her budget proposal. Councilmembers will host Community Budget Forums between May 17 and June 5. On June 14 at 4:00 p.m., City Council will hold a special meeting to hear the Council President’s Budget Amendments and any additional amendments from Councilmembers.

The City Council must approve a balanced budget by June 30.

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

2 days ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.