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Measure MM
City of Oakland, Wildfire Protection Zone
Shall the measure levying a special tax for 20 years in the “Wildfire Prevention Zone” (defined in the measure), to prevent wildfires by implementing City of Oakland prevention plans, including vegetation management, evacuation route protection, enhanced fire patrols during high danger periods, and goat grazing, at annual rates of $99/single-family parcel, $65/condominium/multifamily unit; nonresidential parcels based on a formula, generating $2,670,000 in 2025-26, with cost of living increases, citizens’ oversight and audits, be adopted?
Vote Required: 2/3
SCORE: 4.3
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because there was a lack of clarity as to whether there was an existing similar tax and what the new money would be spent on relative to the level of city fire protection service that would be provided if the measure does not pass. Inflation increases should provide a source for the inflation index used. Otherwise this is an accurate and informative ballot measure description.
Measure NN
City of Oakland, Citywide Violence Reduction Services Shall the measure to: (1) fund Citywide violence reduction services, such as 9-1-1 dispatch, community policing, mobile crisis responders, and violence interruption, and (2) increase police and fire minimum staffing, by extending and increasing both the existing parking tax surcharge to 10% and the existing parcel tax to $198 annually for single-family parcels, and other parcels as specified, with exemptions and reductions, for 9 years, raising approximately $47,400,000 annually, with oversight and auditing, be adopted?
Vote Required: 50%+1
SCORE: 3.9
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because there was a lack of clarity as what the money would be spent on relative to existing police services. The language for a special tax should be clear. The use of the term “such as” could create the fear that little or none of the proceeds might go to 9-1-1 emergency operators or police staffing. The raters assume that this measure is a Special not a General tax, but the required 50%+1 vote would appear to refute that. If this is a citizen-initiated measure, which may have a 50%+1 vote to pass, that should be made clear. The parcel tax is described as an increase, but there is no explanation of what the existing parcel tax rate is. A “parking tax surcharge” possibly might only apply to city-operated parking facilities, but it might apply to other private parking facilities. Voters are not given sufficient information as to what parking costs are being increased.
Measure OO
City of Oakland, Public Ethics Commission Shall a measure amending the City Charter and Oakland Municipal Code to, among other things, revise qualifications and restrictions for service and removal procedures, specify the vote threshold for action and increase minimum staffing requirements for the Public Ethics Commission; allow the Commission to set City Attorney and City Auditor salaries biannually rather than annually; and amend the Lobbyist Registration Act to restrict payments and expenses incurred by local government lobbyists, be adopted?
SCORE: 2.0
Comments: The score was lowered from the
maximum of five because of the lack of clarity as to why the measure was
needed, and what is being proposed. There also is no explanation as to whether
there would be financial impacts from the change, and what those impacts might
affect. Regarding the Commission’s setting of certain salaries, “biannual”
means twice a year. Biennial means every two years. The proposed change to
setting salaries twice a year may be a mistake by the drafters of the measure.
As a City Charter amendment this change is binding and permanent.
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