City council finance committee to review the FY 2024-25 revenue and expenditure report, annual consolidated financial report, and a proposed parcel tax increase — Oakland Agenda Watch
”Council–manager forms of government are statistically associated with higher levels of government transparency.” https://www.jstor.org/stable/24639088
Steve, I agree, but it looks like the Council is going for the strong mayor alternate. While I don't live in Oakland, Piedmont is heavily affected by Oakland's problems.
“This seems like good news, but city staff emphasizes that the city council still needs to extend its declaration of “extreme fiscal necessity” — which has been in effect nearly two years — in order to avoid losing voter-approved tax revenue due to failing to uphold voter-mandated minimum public safety staffing levels.” This feels like shenanigans…. We keep voting for what we need and they circumvent with they want. Oaklanders should unite and say hell no
It would be interesting to discover how many city officials are making more than $200k/yr. It wouldn't take a huge number to make up the $40M with a 10% haircut.
Victor, thank you for your question. According to public employee compensation data compiled by the state controller’s office, the City of Oakland had 1,001 employees whose wages exceeded $200,000 (not including compensation in the form of health and retirement contributions) in 2024.
The city reported a total 6,164 paid employees in 2024.
The average wage was $109,481. The average health and retirement compensation was $53,725. The average total compensation was $163,206.
Total wages increased 21.5% from 2023 to 2024. ($555 million in 2023 to $675 million in 2024).
Total health and retirement compensation increased 14.5% from 2023 to 2024. ($289 million in 2023 to $331 million in 2024.)
In order to reduce $40 million in employee compensation using 2024 data, the city would need to cut approximately 245 employees earning the average total compensation of $163,206 each — approximately 4% of its employee head count, and approximately 2% of its total employee costs in 2024.
After paying taxes upon taxes for public safety and getting much less in return (Measure Y is a prime example), I no longer trust city officials.
We had a chance to right the ship when Loren Taylor ran for mayor but most of Oakland wanted to same old failed script.
This city makes me so angry that it is unhealthy.
Might be forced to move away from Oakland if our property taxes go up any higher
For better results, we need a better system. Time to change the charter!
What the research shows:
”Council–manager cities have stronger budgetary solvency compared with mayor–council cities.” https://academic.oup.com/jpart/article-abstract/30/1/161/5544095
”Municipalities with a city manager have higher bond ratings and lower borrowing costs.” https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=98CQt6IAAAAJ&citation_for_view=98CQt6IAAAAJ:HtEfBTGE9r8C
”Council–manager forms of government are statistically associated with higher levels of government transparency.” https://www.jstor.org/stable/24639088
Steve, I agree, but it looks like the Council is going for the strong mayor alternate. While I don't live in Oakland, Piedmont is heavily affected by Oakland's problems.
“This seems like good news, but city staff emphasizes that the city council still needs to extend its declaration of “extreme fiscal necessity” — which has been in effect nearly two years — in order to avoid losing voter-approved tax revenue due to failing to uphold voter-mandated minimum public safety staffing levels.” This feels like shenanigans…. We keep voting for what we need and they circumvent with they want. Oaklanders should unite and say hell no
It would be interesting to discover how many city officials are making more than $200k/yr. It wouldn't take a huge number to make up the $40M with a 10% haircut.
Victor, thank you for your question. According to public employee compensation data compiled by the state controller’s office, the City of Oakland had 1,001 employees whose wages exceeded $200,000 (not including compensation in the form of health and retirement contributions) in 2024.
The city reported a total 6,164 paid employees in 2024.
The average wage was $109,481. The average health and retirement compensation was $53,725. The average total compensation was $163,206.
Total wages increased 21.5% from 2023 to 2024. ($555 million in 2023 to $675 million in 2024).
Total health and retirement compensation increased 14.5% from 2023 to 2024. ($289 million in 2023 to $331 million in 2024.)
In order to reduce $40 million in employee compensation using 2024 data, the city would need to cut approximately 245 employees earning the average total compensation of $163,206 each — approximately 4% of its employee head count, and approximately 2% of its total employee costs in 2024.
https://publicpay.ca.gov/Reports/Cities/City.aspx?entityid=68&year=2024&rpt=0