‘It would be catastrophic’: After Keller Fire, Oakland officials caution against OFD cuts
The city faces a $240 million deficit that could necessitate cutting fire and police services over the next two years.
The Keller Fire, which burned 15 acres in the Oakland Hills last weekend, damaging two homes, and temporarily displacing 500 Oakland residents, has immediately become a stark example of Oakland’s vulnerability to fire, and the city’s desperate budget situation.
Burdened by massive budget deficits, city leaders have been forced to make risky decisions — balancing financial dangers against environmental hazards.
Earlier this year, Oakland was facing a massive budget deficit due to lower-than-expected revenue from real estate transfer tax and other taxes, lingering economic effects of the pandemic, and rising costs.
In June, the city passed a $2.2 billion budget that avoided making any cuts to critical services like the fire department by relying on anticipated income from the sale of the Coliseum to a private developer group.
