Budget

Highlighted risks to CalFresh benefits and urged full staffing for the county benefits hotline and expanded community outreach.

Supported food security recommendations, noting upcoming reporting rules that threaten CalFresh benefits for thousands of residents.

Reported on the commission's fiscal accountability, noting that nearly all of the $500,000 budget was spent responsibly on community outreach and research.

Raised concerns about transparency regarding capital improvement expenditures for jail facilities and urged funding for community land trusts.

Criticized the county's focus on fiscal conservatism while residents struggle and urged radical changes to address community needs.

Represented the Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay, urging support for senior services coalition requests amid rising food and living costs.

Suggested ongoing reporting of budget adjustments throughout the fiscal year and advocated for supporting alternative medicine.

Spoke on behalf of the Senior Services Coalition, urging continued Measure W funding for aging services and senior meals.

Represented SOS Meals on Wheels, emphasizing the growing crisis in senior food insecurity and the impact of Measure W funding.

Discussed the plight of adult residential facilities (board and care homes) and urged support for alternative housing models like land trusts.

Represented StopWaste and the Food Sovereignty Roundtable, urging increased funding for food recovery and distribution organizations.

Represented TCV Food Bank, thanking the board for essential services funding and urging adoption of the $20 million food security allocation.

Founder of Community Kitchens, supporting the Food Sovereignty Coalition request for $17 million to address rising food insecurity.

Spoke on behalf of the African Resource Center, advocating for food and social service support for African immigrant populations.

Represented Feed Black Futures, highlighting food access barriers for system-impacted individuals and urging investment in local food systems.

Spoke for Parent Voices Oakland regarding affordable housing, renter protection, and prioritizing unhoused families in the Home Together Plan.

Urged reinstatement of the county children's budget report and proper allocation of Measure C pediatric funds.

Represented Parent Voices Oakland, advocating for food support for family child care providers.

Emphasized listening to people with lived experience and directing Measure W funds strictly toward homeless and housing services.

Expressed concern regarding the expenditure of Measure C pediatric healthcare funds.

Represented the Interfaith Coalition for Justice in Our Jails, supporting mental health diversion and public defender capacity.

Expressed difficulty in reviewing budget handouts provided late and requested more public discussion opportunities, as well as clarification on unbudgeted versus unfilled positions.

Stated the need for affordable housing, economic stability, food access in early childhood education settings, and the restoration of the children's services budget.

Requested funding for fresh produce in early childhood settings, family homelessness strategies, and children's services.

Asked why child care is not being prioritized in the budget and urged support for Measure C community funds.

Called for deeper cuts to funded vacant positions in the Sheriff's Office, greater transparency in behavioral health funds, and restoration of funding for the Supportive Housing Community Land Alliance.

Urged the Board to invest in affordable housing and mental health services, specifically requesting funding for the Supportive Housing Community Land Alliance and mental health diversion.

Advocated for increased funding for board and care facilities for the seriously mentally ill and questioned cuts to community land trusts.

Spoke on behalf of the Berkeley Friends Meeting to support care-first budget recommendations.

Advocated for shifting funds from the jail and sheriff's office to supportive housing and behavioral health services.

Urged the board to save outpatient behavioral health services at Fairmont and Highland hospitals slated for closure.

Representing American Friends Service Committee, raising Brown Act concerns regarding decision-making and analyzing BHSA carryover funds.

Praised the county's slow and deliberate approach to handling budget deficits while maintaining social services.

Shared her experience receiving a layoff notice as a specialist clerk at John George Psychiatric Hospital and criticized management's handling of the crisis.

Spoke as an interpreter representing the Eritrean and Ethiopian community, emphasizing reliance on health advocates and complex care.

Highlighted the critical role of complex care case managers and questioned executive decisions and staffing cuts.

Voiced opposition to budget cuts as a Medi-Cal recipient and Oakland resident, supporting healthcare workers and services.

Criticized the COO's understanding of laboratory operations and blood culture contamination data.

Spoke as a District 3 parent and Medi-Cal recipient about how healthcare cuts directly harm families and increase wait times.

Expressed opposition to cuts through an ACE member translator, emphasizing healthcare as a community lifeline.

Called on the county to postpone layoffs and keep the health system staffed and united.

Organiser with ACE described seniors in East Oakland terrified of losing care and called management's cuts a death sentence.

Social Services VP of services discussed how GA clients rely on AHS medical verifications and warned against breaking the safety net.

Argued that cuts to AHS will lead to increased hospital-acquired infections, readmissions, and financial liabilities.

Highland RN and SEIU 1021 member criticized management's poor execution of layoff notifications and restructuring.

Orthopedic physician described her role as the sole provider of ultrasound-guided joint injections and warned against service elimination.

Highland physical therapist criticized the Board of Trustees for lacking transparency and proper data analysis.

Physical therapist and union member warned against patient abandonment and urged supervisors to rescind cuts.

Respiratory therapist and local resident called for taxing the rich instead of cutting safety-net healthcare jobs.

Expressed fear and desperation regarding her adult son with schizophrenia and the lack of housing or mental health alternatives.

John George activity therapist highlighted the disconnect between executive statements and the reality of impact bargaining.

Fairmont worker and delegate spoke against closing the employee cafeteria and invited supervisors to visit.

San Leandro EPS worker stressed the essential role of environmental services in patient safety and cleanliness.

Highland outpatient worker spoke about supporting patients and demanding leadership accountability.

Clinical lab scientist detailed staffing shortages, overworked personnel, and the crucial role of lab assistants in emergencies.

Highland dietitian warned that layoffs threaten the entire hospital ecosystem and outlined the compounding impact on patient care.

Orthopedic PA at Newark Wellness Center stated that closing her schedule is a backdoor elimination of South Bay orthopedic care.

San Leandro respiratory therapist with 18 years experience criticized historical cuts, administrative consolidation, and impacts on vulnerable populations.

Chief of Staff read a letter from the Medical Executive Committee expressing urgent concern over governance, lack of clinical engagement, and risks to patient safety.

Stated that night bed controllers are vital for patient safety and emergency coordination at Highland Hospital, urging the board to protect essential staff.

Called on AHS and the county to support the Billionaire Tax Act ballot initiative to bring in state revenue and avoid layoffs.

Spoke on behalf of community health clinic clinicians in solidarity with AHS workers opposing cuts to public healthcare.