How supporting children and families shows up across the City's stated budget priorities

The City of Oakland is in the midst of determining its budget for the next two fiscal years (2023-24 and 2024-25). Mayor Sheng Thao unveiled her $4.2 billion budget proposal on May 3, 2023 and City Council has until June 30, 2023 to pass a final budget. This year, there is a $360 million budget deficit to contend with due to fewer tax revenues and the loss of pandemic emergency dollars. Mayor Thao presented a balanced budget made possible by hiring freezes, strategic reductions, and a proposed reorganization of some city departments.  ​

OSSS developed a summary of how children and families show up in the City Council budget priorities and in the Mayor’s budget proposal. Some highlights from the Mayor’s budget proposal are: 

• Over $200 million over the next two years for affordable housing 
• Uses federal, state, and local funds to allow for the expansion of hours and services at Oakland’s Head Start and Early Head Start program
• New Department of Children, Youth & Families combining Human Services and Parks and Recreation 
• Proposal to expand Summer Town Camp
• Reduces subsidies to Chabot Space & Science Center, Fairyland, Asian Cultural Center, Hacienda Peralta, and the OPR Foundation by 20% a year for two years 
• Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY) funding is reduced in 2023-24 by $1.8 million and $875,000 in 2024-25 based on a decrease in General Purpose Fund unrestricted revenues per the City Charter

Oakland community members and organizations are making their voices heard about their priorities. For example, the Peoples Budget is a coalition of Oakland community-based organizations, including OSSS partner Parent Voices Oakland, with budget priorities for this year that include sustaining Head Start, funding key park renovations, and improving accessibility to the summer food program.
 
City Council is holding budget meetings at City Hall to hear the community’s input and consider alternate proposals over the next month. Agendas will be posted on the City Council’s website.  Upcoming City Council Budget meeting dates are on Wednesday, June 14, 2023; 4:00 PM and Monday, June 26, 2023; 4:00 PM.