Bay Area

OP-ED: Balancing the Budget—and the Needs of Our Residents

When I took office in January, I knew that my Administration would be facing a large deficit. In fact, with a $360 million shortfall over the next two years, it is the largest deficit in Oakland’s history. This inherited shortfall is largely the result of two factors: the loss of federal pandemic funding and a decline in revenue generated from the real estate transfer tax and transient occupancy tax.

Published

1 year ago

May 11, 2023

Oakland Post

Mayor Sheng Thao

By Mayor Sheng Thao

When I took office in January, I knew that my Administration would be facing a large deficit.

In fact, with a $360 million shortfall over the next two years, it is the largest deficit in Oakland’s history. This inherited shortfall is largely the result of two factors: the loss of federal pandemic funding and a decline in revenue generated from the real estate transfer tax and transient occupancy tax.

But when you’re in need of City services, something I know about all too well, it doesn’t matter why there’s a shortfall, it matters if you’ll have a job, whether you have an affordable place to live, whether you live in a city that has opportunities and resources for your children and your family.

With this in mind, our challenge was unprecedented, but our mandate was clear: Balance the budget, invest in our communities, preserve jobs.

Thanks to the ingenuity and hard work of our City staff, our “One Oakland” proposed budget accomplishes all of the above—while also making significant investments in our communities, including the largest in affordable housing in the city’s history.

Yes, we were forced to make difficult decisions, but it was also an opportunity to create efficiencies and improve coordination in City government, reducing costs and strengthening our ability to serve our communities.

As a result, our proposed budget includes a new reorganization of City departments— Department of Homelessness & Housing Development; Department of Children, Youth and Families; and Department of Planning, Building and Economic Development.

The reorganization will ensure each department has a clear mission related to community priorities and save $2 million per year, allowing us to preserve vital services in these challenging times.

This reorganization will be supported by an improved management structure in the City Administrator’s Office. Departments with related services will be grouped into “channels” and report to or coordinate with a dedicated Deputy or Assistant City Administrator.

To further close the gap, we are freezing vacant positions—300 in total—many of which have been open for a long period of time; allowing for attrition, meaning if a position becomes vacant, we will hold off hiring a replacement until funding becomes available; and delaying on spending.

In all cases, we did this with the goal of minimizing impacts on services. And we will prioritize hiring for these positions if revenue exceeds forecasts.

This budget is a reflection of my Administration’s values: Centering Equity; Valuing the City Workforce; and Strategic Thinking.

This is why, despite the environment we face, the proposed budget allocates more than $200 million over the next two years toward affordable housing; expands early childhood education through Oakland’s Head Start and Early Head Start program; includes more than $106 million to build, repair and upgrade parks, recreation facilities, libraries, storm drains and non-road infrastructure; and invests more than $9.1 million toward street safety.

The proposed budget will also allow for better coordination of key public safety goals while continuing the ‘civilianization’ of certain functions of the Police Department.

This is a budget that manages our fiscal situation responsibly, responds to the needs of our residents and local businesses, and reflects my Administration’s commitment to direct investments in our communities—all while avoiding layoffs.

I applaud our City staff for this huge accomplishment, balancing not just the budget but the needs of our residents.

I look forward to hearing community input through a series of public forums—and to adopting this budget on June 30 so we can move forward together, as One Oakland.

Sheng Thao is the 51^st and current Mayor of Oakland.

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Oakland Post: Week of June 12-18, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 12-18, 2024

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2024

Oakland Post

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Art

Mayor Breed, Actor Morris Chestnut Attend S.F.’s Indie Night Film Festival

On June 1, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Indie Night Film Festival arrived at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. San Francisco native Dave Brown, Founder and CEO of the Indie Night Film Festival, has a vision for the film industry that is squarely focused on promoting the many talented producers, actors, and designers contributing to this billion-dollar industry. The festival has been running for 12 years and it’s only up from here, he says.

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2024

Oakland Post

(Left to Right) Dave Brown, CEO, Indie Night Festival, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and actor Morris Chestnut. Photo by Y’Anad Burrell

By Y’Anad Burrell

On June 1, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Indie Night Film Festival arrived at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco.

San Francisco native Dave Brown, Founder and CEO of the Indie Night Film Festival, has a vision for the film industry that is squarely focused on promoting the many talented producers, actors, and designers contributing to this billion-dollar industry. The festival has been running for 12 years and it’s only up from here, he says.

A weekly celebration of cinematic artistry designed to elevate emerging talent while providing a platform for networking and collaboration, entrepreneur Dave Brown created Indie Night to bridge gaps within the filmmaking community by fostering connections between like-minded individuals worldwide. The Indie Film Festival currently has over 450 film submissions worldwide, and its cinematic vault only continues to grow.

The festival showcased over 10 short films and trailers, and featured Faces of the “City: Fighting for the Soul of America,” produced by veteran actor Tisha Campbell. This film is about the vibrancy and legacy of San Francisco. The festival also previewed “When It Reigns,” a trailer by Oakland’s burgeoning filmmaker Jamaica René.

Indie films have not just challenged traditional cinematic norms; they’ve shattered them. These films offer unique storytelling perspectives and push creative boundaries in truly inspiring ways. With their smaller budgets and independent spirit, they often tackle unconventional subjects and portray diverse characters, providing a refreshing alternative to mainstream cinema. As a result, indie films have resonated with audiences seeking an escape from formulaic blockbusters and are increasingly celebrated for their authenticity and originality.

Organizers say the mission of Indie Night is to elevate the craft of independent artists and creators. It also provides a venue for them to showcase their work, network, and exchange information with new and established creatives. It creates a community that values and supports independent art.

For more about the Indie Night Film Festival, visit www.indienightfilmfestival.com.

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Bay Area

Sen. Wiener, Mayor Breed Announce Bill to Shut Down Fencing of Stolen Goods

On June 3, San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed joined State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) to announce a bill aiming to combat fencing, the sale of stolen goods. Authored by Wiener and sponsored by Breed, Senate Bill (SB) 925 would allow San Francisco to create permitting requirements to regulate the sale of items commonly obtained through retail theft and impose criminal penalties for those who engage in this practice.

Published

2 days ago

June 13, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Oakland Post Staff

On June 3, San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed joined State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) to announce a bill aiming to combat fencing, the sale of stolen goods.

Authored by Wiener and sponsored by Breed, Senate Bill (SB) 925 would allow San Francisco to create permitting requirements to regulate the sale of items commonly obtained through retail theft and impose criminal penalties for those who engage in this practice.

“The sale of stolen items in San Francisco has created unsafe street conditions and health and safety hazards that have negatively impacted residents, businesses, City workers, and legitimate street vendors,” states a statement released by the mayor’s office.

San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Chief Bill Scott praised the effort.

“I want to thank Mayor Breed and Senator Wiener for identifying new ways to combat the illegal fencing of stolen goods. This will help our hard-working officers continue to make progress in cracking down on retail theft,” said Scott.

Under the legislation, San Francisco can require vendors to obtain a permit to be able to sell items deemed as frequently stolen by asking for documentation that the merchandise was obtained legitimately, such as showing proof of purchase.

The legislation also establishes that those in violation would receive an infraction for the first two offenses and an infraction or a misdemeanor and up to six months in county jail for the third offense.

Under this bill, people can still:

Sell goods with a permit
Sell prepared food with a permit
Sell goods on the list of frequently stolen items with a permit and proof of purchase.

“In San Francisco we are working hard to make our streets safer and more welcoming for all. SB 925 would greatly help us get a handle on the sale of stolen goods, all while taking a narrow approach that specifically targets bad actors,” said Breed.

Wiener says the cultural richness of San Francisco and the livelihoods of legitimate street vendors are threatened when bad actors are allowed to openly sell stolen goods on the city’s streets.

“With this bill we’re taking a balanced approach that respects the critical role street vending plays in our community while holding fencing operations accountable for the disruption they cause. It’s critical that everyone feel safe on our streets, including street vendors and neighborhood residents,” said Wiener.