March 2026 – Council Approves Continued Exploration of Bond Measure

The City Council voted unanimously to:

“1. Direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare draft ballot language for a potential $300 million General Obligation bond measure for the November 3, 2026, ballot to fund priority infrastructure investments, consistent with the results of the community survey and input received from the City Council at the March 17, 2026, work session;

2. Direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare draft ballot language for a potential 0.5 percent increase in the City’s sales and use tax for the November 3, 2026, ballot to address the City’s projected General Fund structural deficit and support essential City services; and

3. Authorize the City Manager to conduct a second community survey of likely Berkeley voters to test refined ballot language for a potential $300 million General Obligation bond and a 0.5 percent increase in the sales and use tax in the context of the anticipated November 2026 ballot environment.”