This measure would maintain and increase a special parcel tax and special parking tax surcharge for nine years. The City may use the special taxes solely to pay costs related to: (1) reducing homicides, robberies, car-jackings and break-ins, domestic violence, and gun-related violence; (2) improving emergency 911 response times and quality of response; (3) reducing the incidence of human trafficking including the sexual exploitation of minors; and (4) administrative expenses.
This measure authorizes a parcel tax on property owners for nine years beginning July 1, 2025. The amount of the parcel tax depends on the type of property:
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single- family residential parcels, $198.00;
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multiple residential unit parcels, $132.00 per unit; and
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non-residential parcels, a rate based on a formula that determines the single family residential unit equivalent and multiplies that number by $198.00.
The Council may annually adjust the parcel tax by the increase in the consumer price index. Qualifying low income homeowners, affordable housing projects, tenants in foreclosed single-family homes, churches and schools are eligible for exemptions, reductions, or rebates.
The measure amends the Oakland Municipal Code to authorize an increase of the parking tax surcharge to 10% until December 31, 2034.
The measure increases minimum staffing levels for sworn police. It requires the City to budget for, hire and maintain a minimum of 700 sworn police.
If the City fails to budget for 700 sworn police during a fiscal year, collection of the parcel tax would be suspended during that fiscal year and the collection of the parking tax surcharge would be suspended for 12 months unless there is an exception based on (1) a reduction of grant funding or restricted funding for sworn police from the 2023-2024 budget; or (2) a severe, unanticipated event that adversely impacted the General Purpose Fund and prevented the City from maintaining 700 sworn police.
If the City budgets for but fails to maintain 700 sworn police, collection of the parcel tax and the parking tax surcharge would be reduced the following fiscal year unless there was an exception based on the unexpected failure of the City's hiring plan. The measure establishes requirements for the City to declare an exception to the minimum staffing requirements.
The measure prohibits any layoffs that would reduce police officers to a level below 800, and any layoffs that would reduce fire fighters to a level below 480.
The measure replaces the existing nine-member Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Commission with a five-member Oakland Public Safety Planning and Oversight Commission with similar oversight duties and eligibility criteria and responsibility for developing a Four-Year Community Violence Reduction Plan that the City Council may approve or reject.
In 2014, Oakland voters approved Measure Z which maintained the special parcel and parking taxes Oakland voters approved in 2004 (Measure Y), to fund police, fire and violence prevention services. Measure Z expires December 31, 2024. This measure authorizes maintaining and increasing Measure Z taxes for nine years.
Source: Public Safety Measure Materials