Oakland ballot measure could lift councillors’ pay to $228,000 a year
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is backing Measure EE, a November ballot proposal that would expand mayoral powers and could sharply increase city council members’ pay. The proposal comes as Oakland faces persistent problems, including homelessness, illegal dumping and a projected budget shortfall of up to $130 million a year, prompting debate over whether the changes are justified.
The city’s eight council members currently receive about $148,500 a year including benefits, equivalent to 26 cents per resident, already the highest rate among large California cities. Measure EE would remove a 5 per cent cap on annual pay rises and use comparisons with officials in other cities and counties; using San Francisco as a benchmark could bring Oakland council members’ pay to about $228,000, a 54 per cent increase. The article says the measure is also intended to make council roles full-time and give the mayor authority to hire or dismiss department heads and veto legislation.
In short
- Oakland voters will consider Measure EE in November.
- It could raise council pay by up to $108,000.
- The proposal would also expand the mayor’s powers.
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The case for
Supporters could argue that Oakland’s complex, persistent problems require council members to treat public service as a full-time job, and that compensation should reflect the demands and responsibility of the role. Tying pay to comparable officials elsewhere and allowing the mayor to direct or replace department heads could strengthen recruitment, accountability and the city’s ability to act on urgent issues.
The case against
Critics could argue that removing the 5 per cent cap risks large pay rises when Oakland faces a substantial budget shortfall and residents are already struggling with basic services. They may also question whether higher salaries and expanded mayoral authority will improve outcomes, and favour keeping tighter limits on pay and preserving checks on executive power.
Explained simply
Oakland is a city in California, where residents can vote on local measures that change how their city government works. Its elected council has eight members, while the mayor leads the city administration.
The proposal would change how councillors’ pay is set and expand the mayor’s authority over city departments and legislation. The debate comes as Oakland deals with homelessness, illegal dumping and a large expected budget shortfall, raising questions about the costs and responsibilities of local government.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Oakland mayor wants to give local lawmakers pay rises of up to $108,000 despite California city being byword for failure and squalor”.