The city council is already counting the money — they added $40 million in hoped-for income to the city budget, assuming that voters will approve the new tax.
Budgeting $40M before voters even approve the tax is wild fiscal management. The second mortgage analogy nails it. What's equally concerning is the lack of any discussion about why current revenue streams arent covering basic services. Adding new taxes without addressing underlying spending inefficiencies just kicks the can down the raod.
More tax on working Oaklanders (parcel tax is a property tax but easier to sell to a gullible public) to pay for pensions in a city that is already one of the highest tax rates in the state but has the fewest vital services. This is not a MAGA vs. Progressive issue. This is just crazy.
With respect to potholes, you may find these two facts interesting:
1) Oaklanders already have authorized the City of Oakland to increase taxes -- twice -- since 2016 to fix potholes and other road maintenance needs, by financing the issuance of a total $1.45 billion in infrastructure bonds, with $640 million dedicated to transportation projects including street repaving.
2) Despite these 9-figure investments by Oakland taxpayers toward basic infrastructure like road repairs, Oakland's Pavement Condition Index (PCI) in 2023 was rated at 57 -- in the "At Risk" range. Meanwhile, neighboring Orinda’s PCI rating was a dismal 48 in 2012 -- in the “Poor” range -- but a decade later in 2023, Orinda’s PCI rating had improved to 84 -- in the “Good” range -- after that city's voters approved sales tax and property tax increases to fix Orinda’s public roads.
If Orinda can do it, why can’t Oakland? It can’t just be the difference in median income and tax revenue between the two cities. The City of Orinda’s operating budget is a fraction of Oakland’s. Orinda’s total operating expenditures in FY 2023-24 were a paltry $27.9 million compared to Oakland’s $1.66 billion.
Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated!
Budgeting $40M before voters even approve the tax is wild fiscal management. The second mortgage analogy nails it. What's equally concerning is the lack of any discussion about why current revenue streams arent covering basic services. Adding new taxes without addressing underlying spending inefficiencies just kicks the can down the raod.
More tax on working Oaklanders (parcel tax is a property tax but easier to sell to a gullible public) to pay for pensions in a city that is already one of the highest tax rates in the state but has the fewest vital services. This is not a MAGA vs. Progressive issue. This is just crazy.
Roland- Thank you for your comment. We would like to publish your comment in our next Letters to the Editor column. https://www.oaklandreport.org/t/letters
I will be happy to pay a little more tax after they start fixing the potholes. 😊
Josh - Thank you for your comment. We would like to publish your comment in our next Letters to the Editor column. https://www.oaklandreport.org/t/letters
With respect to potholes, you may find these two facts interesting:
1) Oaklanders already have authorized the City of Oakland to increase taxes -- twice -- since 2016 to fix potholes and other road maintenance needs, by financing the issuance of a total $1.45 billion in infrastructure bonds, with $640 million dedicated to transportation projects including street repaving.
https://www.oaklandreport.org/p/oakland-cant-sell-infrastructure
2) Despite these 9-figure investments by Oakland taxpayers toward basic infrastructure like road repairs, Oakland's Pavement Condition Index (PCI) in 2023 was rated at 57 -- in the "At Risk" range. Meanwhile, neighboring Orinda’s PCI rating was a dismal 48 in 2012 -- in the “Poor” range -- but a decade later in 2023, Orinda’s PCI rating had improved to 84 -- in the “Good” range -- after that city's voters approved sales tax and property tax increases to fix Orinda’s public roads.
https://www.oaklandreport.org/i/180748397/orinda-leaves-oakland-in-the-dust-on-fixing-potholes
If Orinda can do it, why can’t Oakland? It can’t just be the difference in median income and tax revenue between the two cities. The City of Orinda’s operating budget is a fraction of Oakland’s. Orinda’s total operating expenditures in FY 2023-24 were a paltry $27.9 million compared to Oakland’s $1.66 billion.
Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated!
Thanks. If Orinda can do it we can too. Good challenge for Barbara Lee’s governance. Fixing roads are a strong signal that we have pride in our city.
I sure hope Oakland taxpayers wise up.