Oakland needs to raise $40 million. Is a new tax the answer?

"On Tuesday, Oakland Budget Administrator Bradley Johnson told members of the City Council that the city is in the early stages of seeking a polling company to survey residents about a possible tax measure that could appear on the June 2026 ballot. Johnson also presented the council's Finance Committee with a list of tax options. But as he noted, "Not many of them are viable.""

"These account for $351 million of the city's total budget in the current fiscal year. Oakland could generate the additional $40 million it needs with a new parcel tax on single-family homes, increasing the total amount Oaklanders pay on parcel taxes from $1,101 to $1,325. The rate on multi-family homes would increase from $842 to $995.09, and on non-resident parcels from $1,031 to $1,255."

Oakland approved a two-year budget with cuts to vacant positions and tightened spending but still faces a $265 million projected shortfall. The City Council seeks $40 million in additional annual revenue and is beginning polling for a potential tax measure for the June 2026 ballot. Staff identified few viable tax options, with a new parcel tax the likeliest choice. Parcel taxes already provide $351 million in dedicated funding. Proposed increases would raise single-family parcel taxes from $1,101 to $1,325 and would boost other parcel rates accordingly. Other tax increases were deemed impractical alone.

Read at The Oaklandside