Voters in the Oakland Hills are being asked to weigh in on a ballot measure that would raise millions of dollars for wildfire prevention efforts.
Measure MM is a parcel tax that requires two-thirds of voters to approve, and would add an additional $99 per year to single-family homes and $65 per year to condos and apartments. Commercial properties would be taxed based on a formula that calculates the number of single-family homes roughly equal to the size of the property.
Only property owners in the area pay the tax, so only the voters whose area is affected by the parcel tax will decide the fate of Measure MM. The area includes about 46,000 voters in some of the three City Council districts that Cal Fire calls “critical fire danger zones,” according to data from the Alameda County Voter Registrar. There is.
If Measure MM passes, it would raise approximately $2.7 million annually in its first year of implementation, with the potential to be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years.
Oakland City Council unanimously voted in June to put the measure on the ballot. It will continue for 20 years.
Supporters, who have raised about $46,000 in campaign funds, say new taxes are needed to implement the Oakland Vegetation Management Plan. The plan, adopted by Congress earlier this year, focuses on fire protection for Oakland’s 1,400 acres and more than 300 miles of roads. Auckland hills.
“The most cost-effective way to fight wildfires is to develop a smart prevention plan that includes implementing tree and vegetation management, inspecting high-risk areas, and coordinating between government agencies and community partners. ”, according to the “yes” MM vote.
The money will be used to increase fire patrols on high-risk days, hire goats to devour dry vegetation, and pay for annual property inspections.
His supporters include Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and former Oakland Fire Chief Darin White, and he has received significant campaign contributions from PG&E and International Association of Firefighters Local 55.
Opponents, including Marcus Crowley of the Alameda County Taxpayers Association and Oakland City Council candidate Nancy Sidebotham, argue that the bill does not have strong enough guardrails to prevent wasted funds and that funds cannot be effectively managed. He claims he doesn’t trust Oakland’s leadership. .
The bill requires a citizen oversight board to oversee its implementation, but opponents say it is packed with cronies of city council members and “doesn’t allow a trusted city auditor to scrutinize spending. ” he claims.
However, the text of the bill states that “an independent audit shall be conducted annually” and that “the City Auditor shall ensure the accountability and proper expenditure of all revenues collected.” audits may be conducted to ensure that the
