VOTE411 Voter Guide

Oakland Safety/ Cleanliness Measure. Shall the measure to prevent longer 911 response times; keep fire stations open; prevent cuts to fire protection, police patrols, crime prevention/ investigation; address homelessness, dumping, litter/trash by levying a parcel tax of $192 on single-family and other parcels as specified, resulting in lower taxes for most homeowners, with low-income exemptions, including seniors, raising approximately $34,000,000 annually for 9 years, public disclosure, citizen oversight, independent audits, be adopted?Yes Votes Needed to Pass: 50% +1 (majority) of the total votes cast on the measure by eligible voters★★★ IMPORTANT ★★★EXPAND this compressed “About This Race” window (by clicking "Read More") for valuable information. Don't miss it!.MEASURE E ESSENTIALS ☆Placed on the Ballot By: Initiative: the collection of signatures of votersMeasure Type: Parcel Tax"Yes" Votes Needed to Pass: 50% + 1 of the total votes cast on the measure by eligible voters..☆ QUESTION ON THE BALLOT ☆Shall the measure to prevent increased 911 response times; maintain fire stations, fire protection services, police patrols and investigations, and gun violence and crime-protection services; address homelessness; and remove illegal dumping and trash by imposing a parcel tax of $192 annually for single-family parcels, and other parcels as specified, exempting certain low-income and senior households and others, raising approximately $34,000,000 annually for nine years, with oversight and independent audits, be adopted? ☆ WHAT YOUR "YES" OR "NO" VOTE MEANS ☆A “YES” vote is a vote to approve the proposed Parcel Tax.A “NO” vote is a vote not to approve the proposed Parcel Tax.……………………………………………………………….................................★ LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ANALYSIS (PROS & CONS) ★Source: The League of Women Voters of Oakland.Other formats: PDF, Video.☆ THE SITUATION ☆· In June 2025, the City Council passed the 2025- 2027 budget. At that time, the Finance Department projected an approximately forty million dollar deficit in 2026-2027.· The Council passed the budget on the assumption that a revenue measure placed on the June 2026 ballot could provide the necessary funds to resolve the projected deficit.· The Council discussed various possibilities for revenue generating ballot measures, but did not propose any measure.Measure E was placed on the June ballot as an initiative qualified by the necessary number of signatures. Local unions provided approximately $440,000 for signature gathering.☆ THE PROPOSAL ☆· The proposal is for a new parcel tax in the amount of $192 per year for single family homes and $131 per year per unit in properties with multiple units. Separate fees would pertain to commercial properties.· The tax would last for nine years.Revenues from the tax must be spent for: reducing gun violence, bolstering emergency 911 response times and fire services, maintaining police patrols and crime prevention and investigation, creating solutions to Oakland’s homeless crisis, addressing illegal dumping, litter and trash, and paying for audits and other oversight. Expenditures for equipment and for administrative expenses are permitted.The City Council will allocate the revenues, if this measure passes. No provisions require that revenues be spent on all goals. Nor are there any required percentages or amounts for allocations. The measure requires a biennial audit by the City Auditor. It also establishes a seven- member oversight commission charged with issuing a report on the expenditure of revenues.☆ FISCAL EFFECTS ☆· Measure E would add a new parcel tax for property owners in Oakland. The tax would be $192 annually for single family dwellings and other amounts specific to multi-unit and commercial properties.· Measure E would raise approximately $34 million dollars annually.☆ SUPPORTERS SAY ☆Supporters include: This measure was placed on the ballot with the support of the 7 members of the City Council of Oakland present at the Council's January 6. 2026 meeting.Oakland needs additional revenues to address serious problems including gun violence, illegal dumping and the challenges of helping the unhoused population.Without these revenues, residents in Oakland face reductions of core city services.The City needs this revenue as it develops additional fiscal policies and plans to fully recover post pandemic..☆ OPPONENTS SAY ☆Opponents include: No arguments opposing Measure D were submitted to Oakland's City ClerkProperty taxes in Oakland are already at an unacceptably high level.This measure gives so much discretion to the City Council to decide the allocation of revenues that the oversight is meaningless.Proposing additional taxes to the existing taxes property owners pay requires much more transparency and justification than have been provided. · ………………………………………………………………................................. ★ OFFICIAL INFORMATION ★The source of this information is documents on the Website of the City of Oakland.☆ BALLOT TITLE ☆Measure to Approve an Annual Parcel Tax to: (1) Fund Police and Fire Services, Homelessness Response Activities, and Services to Keep Public Spaces Clean, Safe and Accessible; and (2) Establish a Public Safety, Cleanliness and Community Accountability Oversight Commission☆ IMPARTIAL LEGAL ANALYSIS ☆This measure would establish a new special parcel tax, for a period of nine years, to maintain and improve essential City services. Tax revenue raised by this measure must only be used to pay costs and expenses related to programs and services that further the following objectives detailed in the measure: (1) Reduce gun violence; (2) Bolster emergency 91 response times and fire services; (3) Maintain police patrols and crime prevention and investigation; (4) Create solutions to Oakland's homeless crisis; (5) Address illegal dumping, litter and the amount of trash on Oakland's streets and parks; (6) Achieve public accountability for all spending under the measure, including public disclosure of all spending, independent audits, and citizens oversight.The proposed ordinance further authorizes use of the tax revenue to maintain and enhance equipment necessary to deliver the services and for administrative expenses associated with implementing and furthering the measure's outcomes and objectives.The special parcel tax authorized by this measure would be levied on property owners annually as of July 1 of each year. The parcel tax rates set by this measure vary depending on the type of parcel. The rate for single-family residential parcels is $192 per parcel. The rate for multiple unit residential parcels is $131 per residential unit. The rate for non-residential parcels will be based on a formula that determines the single-family residential equivalent multiplied by $224.Very low-income homeowners, low-income senior homeowners, owners of affordable housing projects, tenants in foreclosed single-family homes, religious organizations, and schools would be eligible for exemptions, reductions, or rebates if they met criteria specified in the measure. Prior to the parcel tax being imposed, the City Council would adopt an additional exemption for homeowners facing financial distress.The City Council may annually reduce, eliminate or suspend the special parcel tax if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Councilmembers. The measure does not authorize any increase in the tax rates during the nine-year period.The measure would establish a seven-member Public Safety Cleanliness and CommunityAccountability Commission to independently review reports related to the expenditure of the tax revenue. The measure would also require the City Auditor to perform a biennial audit to ensure accountability and proper disbursement of the tax revenue. The reports of both the Commission and the City Auditor would be publicly posted on the City's website.This measure was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters and must be approved by a majority of the votes cast to be enacted. Ryan G.Richardson City Attorney ☆ IMPARTIAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ☆SummaryThis measure would levy a new parcel tax for nine years, unless reauthorized by voters, to raise revenue for certain City services including public safety (police, fire, and 911 services), homelessness response activities, and illegal dumping services. The measure would restrict the revenue raised to funding these services.Financial AnalysisIf the measure passes, additional annual costs to property owners would be:Parcel TypeProposed Annual Tax Rate Single-family residential$192.00 per parcel Multi-residential$131.00 per residential unitNon-residential$224 per single-family equivalent unit, determined by frontage, total square footage, and number of storiesThe City Council cannot increase these tax rates but can reduce, suspend, or eliminate these rates by a two-thirds vote of the Councilmembers. Some residents, including very low-income residents and low-income seniors can request exemptions or reduced taxes. In addition, real property owned by religious organizations and schools that are exempt from property tax are also exempt from this tax.Based on the Alameda County Assessor roll for 2025-26, the Office of the City Auditor estimates this measure would generate approximately $36 million in the first year.The measure would also fund administrative requirements of the measure, including a new oversight commission, biennial audits by the City Auditor, and annual financial audits. The measure allows the use of collected revenue to support these expenses.This analysis is based on the best information available at this time. MICHAEL C. HOUSTON City Auditor ☆ FULL TEXT OF THE MEASURE ☆The full text of the measure may be found on this page of the City of Oakland's Website. Choose Measure E, and scroll down to "SUBMITTAL VERSION - NOVEMBER 17, 2025" ☆ ARGUMENTS ☆NOTE: Ballot arguments are the opinions of the authors and have not been fact-checked by any official agency.Argument in Favor of Measure EWe see an Oakland with challenges, but also incredible potential. Vote YES on E to SaveOur Essential Services, while lowering taxes for a majority of homeowners.Oakland Firefighters and safety advocates support YES on E because it keeps firestations open. Nearly 30,000 Oaklanders joined Firefighters, teachers, and nurses toplace Measure E on the ballot-not politicians.Measure E-the Oakland Public Safety, Cleanliness and Community AccountabilityAct-is specifically designed to maintain fire protection services and emergency responsetimes, address gun violence, homeless encampments by connecting unhoused people to housing, addiction, and mental health services, illegal dumping/trash, and violent crime.Here's what your YES on E vote will do:• YES on E prevents 911 medical, fire, and police emergency response times from increasing.• YES on E keeps fire stations open.• YES on E maintains violent crime investigation.• YES on E addresses homeless encampments, illegal dumping, litter, and trash on streets and parks. By law, NO Measure E money can be spent on other purposes or taken by the State.Measure E's TOUGH ACCOUNTABILITY requirements, include:Public disclosure of all spending Independent audits/citizen oversightLow-Income senior exemptions "Join me and Oakland Firefighters in supporting YES on E for safer streets, cleaner neighborhoods, and a healthier community while lowering tax rates for a majority of homeowners"Henry Levy, Alameda County's Elected Treasurer Join Us! www.Oakland YesOnE.coms/Seth OlyerPresident, Oakland Firefighterss/Enrique SorianoSmall Business Owners/Elizabeth StageOakland District 4 Homeowner and Taxpayers/Fay EastmanHealthcare AdvocateS/Veronica GarciaChair, Melrose 27XNeighborhood Council Rebuttal to Argument in Favor of Measure EWe love Oakland. We want it to thrive. That's why we're voting no.We, Oakland voters, approved $150 million in new annual taxes since 2020. Yet our fiscal deficit will grow to $130 million annually. We're not undertaxed. We're undergoverned.What proponents won't tell you:Proponents claim "by law, NO money can be spent on other purposes." That's false. Six words in the measure - "such as, but not limited to" - make every listed benefit optional. It lets City Council "approve any other variation" of spending without voter approval.44% ($14.9 M) goes straight to salary increases without increasing services, speeding up 911 response times, or reducing blight.Voters can't trust funds to be used as promised. Measure NN promised 780 officers. Oakland has 610. Officials bypassed $30M+ annually in voter-mandated public safety or infrastructure investments by using the same loophole build into this measure. And there's no commitment to measuring results."Oversight" is advisory only. Appointed by the officials being overseen. No subpoena power. No enforcement authority.Everyone pays more. Property owners, renters, and small businesses. But the burden falls hardest on Oakland's flatlands who get the highest crime, slowest emergency response, worst roads, and most illegal dumping. Not one dollar is required to reach those communities.We support Oakland resident AND employees. We'll support new taxes that include:Binding spending commitments aligned with highest prioritiesTransparent measurement/trackingEmpowered independent oversightHonest ballot languageA city that's earned our trustThese don't yet exist. Join us and vote no.www.ResuiltsFoirstOakland.coms/Loren M. Taylor Former Councilmember/CEO of Black Action Alliances/Stephanie Tran Chinatown Business Owner & Community Leaders/Leronne Armstrong Former Oakland Police Chiefs/Ignacio De La Fuente Former City Council President Argument Against Measure E Vote NO on this deceptive tax increase that will do nothing to improve public safety orsolve Oakland's serious problems. This measure wasn't even proposed by the City of Oakland. It was written by officialsfrom SEIU Local 1021 who want voters to approve it so they can give themselves raises. Having government unions take control of the ballot process is an underhanded way toevade the normal two-thirds voter approval requirement for new taxes. Don't be fooled: this measure will not lower your taxes. There is no tax expiring nextyear. If it passes, your tax bill will increase by nearly $200 per year. Oaklanders already pay among the highest local taxes in California, averaging more than$2,000 annually in special assessments, while receiving some of the worst basic cityservices. Now we're being asked to pay even more for a regressive tax that guarantees nota single additional police officer, 911 operator, or shelter bed and includes nomeaningful accountability. Just last year, voters approved Oakland Measure NN , costing taxpayers about $198 peryear, supposedly to address public safety. Yet since then, the number of police officershas declined instead of increased. We've heard the same promise before: approve thistax and things will improve. Instead, the problems get worse. Follow the money. Nearly half of the revenue raised in the first year would go towardunion wage increases. That's why unions have already spent more than $400,000 to put iton the ballot. Oakland city employee compensation has grown 2.5 times faster than inflation andalready exceeds pay in many comparable cities. Oakland doesn't have a revenue problem - it has a spending and accountabilityproblem.Vote NO on yet another blank-check taxs/ Marcus Crawley President, Alameda County Taxpayers Assoc.s/ Thomas Rubin V. P. Alameda County Taxpayers Assoc.s/ Marleen Sacks Oakland Attorneys/ Len Raphael CPAs/ Nancy Sidebotham Tax Preparer Rebuttal to Argument Against Measure E So typical! Unsurprisingly opponents agree Oakland has problems, but as usual, offer no solutions, in favor of their usual political rant. They're right about one thing - politicians did not place Measure E on the ballot. Opponents fail to say 30,000 Oaklanders did, precisely because Measure E provides solutions to keep our fire stations open, and our neighborhoods safe and clean. Every Measure E cent spent is TRANSPARENT and ACCOUNTABLE to tax payers. By law, all spending is required to be publicly disclosed and is subject to independent audits. YES on E establishes an Independent Commission of Oakland residents to serve as budget watchdogs and monitor all spending. By law, Measure E money must be spent ONLY on the specific purposes identified by residents and written into the measure: keeping fire stations open, preventing increases in 911 response times, and addressing illegal dumping, homelessness, and violet crime. "As a frontline dispatcher, I respond to emergencies, so Oaklanders get the help they need. YES on E maintains firefighters, emergency responders, and the sanitation crews escalating efforts to pick up trash and address illegal dumping every day." Antoinette Blue, Oakland 911 Emergency Dispatcher Oaklanders are proud of our city, and we come together to solve challenges. Vote YES on E to keep Oakland on the Move. YES on E is a community developed, fiscally responsible plan to save our essential services and lower taxes for a majority of Oakland Homeowners.Get the facts: www.OaklandYesOnE.coms/ Seth Olyer President, Oakland Firefighterss/ Enrique Soriano Small Business Owners/ Elizabeth Stage Oakland District 4 Homeowner and Taxpayers/ Veronica Garcia Chair, Melrose 27x Neighborhood Council