Balanced Budget Approved

Facing an unprecedented $40 million deficit in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Berkeley City Council on Tuesday passed a balanced budget in what has been called the most extensive and transparent budget process to date. In response to the growing national movement for police reform, the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget makes an initial cut of over $9 million to the Police Department, which is a 12% reduction of the overall departmental budget. This was achieved through freezing vacant positions and using salary savings, reducing the overtime budget and reallocating monies from the Civil Asset Forfeiture Fund. The FY 21 Budget also included funding to expand the Housing Retention Program providing one time cash grants for residents facing eviction. The adopted budget allocated over $5 Million in funds for expanded homeless services, additional support for businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic, and launching abasic needs fund for our undocumented.

While approving the FY 21 Budget on June 30th was required as we enter the new fiscal year, amendments can be made, especially as we move forward with discussions on the future of public safety in Berkeley. With that in mind, much of the July 14th Council meeting will be spent on a robust community discussion including proposals to:

Shift police responsibilities away from the department, such as homeless outreach and services, substance abuse, and mental health/crisis management, traffic and parking enforcement, neighborhood services and code enforcement.
Initiate and facilitate a Community Safety Coalition (“CSC”) and Steering Committee that will help realize a transformation of the current system of public safety.
Limit militarized weaponry and equipment.
Publicly track progress on these initiatives on a dedicated page on the City website in the interest of transparency and accountability.

Our office has received hundreds of calls and emails regarding the budget and policing over the last month. I look forward to engaging with the community in collectively making decisions on addressing racial inequities and re-envisioning public safety.

With COVID-19 Cases Surging Nationwide, Masks Remain Essential

Cases in California have surged in recent weeks, as it has throughout multiple states. In Alameda County, the total number of cases has risen to 6,384 as of Thursday, an increase of 38% over the past two weeks. As of July 2, Berkeley’s cases are at 161, which consistent with the County is a 39% increase over the past two weeks. While this increase is partly due to expanded testing, hospitalization rates are also on the rise. As a result, Berkeley and Alameda County has put a pause on advancing further relaxations to the Shelter in Place Order. At this time, there are no plans to reverse course, but the indicator data will continue to be monitored closely.

Science has shown that while multiple social distancing precautions must continue to be practiced, one of the easiest ways to slow the spread is by wearing a mask. Doing so saves lives, and will help us rebound quicker. For more information about masks, click here.

Remembering Margy Wilkinson and Bert Lubin

Last week Berkeley sadly lost two incredible members of our community. Margy Wilkinson was a lifelong resident and organizer for social and racial justice. She attended UC Berkeley where she got engaged with the Free Speech Movement. After graduating, she worked at the University of California where she organized the University’s classified employees and helped build and run rank and file bargaining for a union representing 19,000 workers. After retirement, she got involved in every progressive cause in the city. A few years ago, she was involved in the founding and leadership of Friends of Adeline as well as advocacy on issues such as homelessness and economic and social injustice.

Dr. Bert Lubin was a longtime Berkeley resident and the CEO of Children's Hospital in Oakland who had a celebrated career in medicine. He was involved in many national efforts on not just children’s healthcare but also healthcare policy. One of his many accomplishments includes working on blood diseases that greatly impacted minorities, and now because of him all newborns in California are screened for sickle cell disease. Our hearts go out to their families and friends, along with the countless individuals they had a positive impact on.

Next Town Hall This Saturday at Noon

Mayor Jesse Arregui_n's Virtual Town Halls.png

Join Mayor Jesse Arreguín, City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley, and Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez for a Virtual Town Hall where they will provide updates on the city’s response to COVID-19 and answer your questions.

What: Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19

When: Saturday, July 11, 12pm

Watch live at jessearreguin.com

Ask your questions by 9am on Saturday at jessearreguin.com