Berkeley Council Adopts Updated Budget

 
 

June 28, 2023

BERKELEY COUNCIL ADOPTS UPDATED BUDGET

 

BERKELEY, CA - Last night, the City Council approved an updated budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Last year, the Council adopted a biennial budget, with yesterday’s vote updating the budget based on the latest revenue and expenditure estimates. The balanced budget also included supplemental recommendations from Mayor Jesse Arreguin, which incorporates various referrals from Councilmembers.  The following items were funded through the Mayor’s proposal:

 

  • Various measures to support the work of reimagining public safety and advancing social justice, including:

    • Hiring a Police Accountability Investigator to address highly complex misconduct investigations.

    • Supporting implementation of an Early Intervention and Risk Management System to provide necessary data and help in implementing fair and impartial policing policies and public safety reimagining.

    • Development of a Universal Basic Income Pilot, including identifying funding sources, target populations, and program delivery models.

 

  • Improving infrastructure, including:

    • Hiring a consultant to help with the development of a Southside Impact Fee Nexus Study, with funds generated by private development to be used for Southside public realm improvements.

    • Community engagement, including polling, for the development of a Complete Streets Parcel Tax or other infrastructure measure as part of Vision 2050, with the goal of a possible measure to be placed on the November 2024 ballot. 

 

  • Addressing public safety, including:

    • Purchasing marking equipment to engrave identification numbers onto catalytic converters to deter theft and assist with investigations and recovery efforts.

    • Pedestrian safety improvements to Arlington Avenue, the intersections of 6th St/Addison St and MLK Jr Way/Haste St, and the Pedestrian Path Network.

 

  • Improving access to housing, including:

    • $2 Million dollars for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance to help property owners and tenants cover back rent owed due to the pandemic. 

    • Hiring staff for the implementation of Measure M, the Empty Homes Tax.

    • Continued funding for Anti-Displacement programs.

 

###

Jesse Arreguin