CITY OF OAKLAND
CITY HALL • 1 FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 #LoveLife
NOEL GALLO (510) 238-7005 Councilmember FAX: (510) 238-6910 District 5 TDD: (510) 839-6451
June 8, 2026
City Council
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Re: District 5 Amendment Request for Fiscal Year 2025-27 Budget Dear Colleagues:
Crime, homelessness and illegal dumping remain a serious challenge in our community. Our neighborhoods deserve safe, clean streets, and addressing these concerns for District 5 and the city as a whole continues to be one of my highest priorities for Fiscal Years 2025 –27. Sustained and targeted investment in our core community priorities is essential, particularly in housing, public safety, street and park cleanliness, fire station operations, and the overall wellbeing of our families and businesses.
On behalf of the residents of District 5, I respectfully request consideration of the following amendments to the proposed Fiscal Year 2025–27 Budget:
• Allocate an additional $50 million annually to strengthen Public Safety , supporting the following positions and related needs, including but not limited to:
o Increasing sworn staffing beyond the currently budgeted 678 officers toward the required 700, with a long-term goal of reaching 750.
o Restoring officers assigned to support EMT/EMAT functions. o Restoring at least two Community Resource Officers (CROs) per district. o Reinstating Neighborhood Services Coordinators (NSCs). o Increasing the number of traffic enforcement officers dedicated to addressing speeding in each district.
• Allocate an additional $40 million annually to strengthen Public Works supporting the following positions and related needs, including but not limited to:
o Maintaining an adequate number of fully functioning vehicles to ensure daily street cleaning by field staff.
o Increasing Public Works field staffing levels to improve street and neighborhood cleanliness.
• Allocate an additional $30 million annually to strengthen Department of Transportation supporting the following positions and related needs, including but not limited to:
o Increase funding for traffic-calming measures, equipment, and support resources. o Increase funding to repair and maintain city traffic signals.
• Allocate an additional $50 million annually to strengthen Housing and Homelessness services, supporting the following programs and related needs, including but not limited to:
o Expanding housing services for seniors, families with children, and victims of crime. o Funding housing developments for low-income families with children. o Supporting alternative housing projects that provide safe, stable options for unhoused residents.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at (510) 238-7005 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Noel Gallo
Councilmember District 5