At a time when the city’s financial issues necessitate difficult choices, Oakland is getting a clearer view of how significant changes might transpire at city hall.
Following Mayor Sheng Thao’s recall, authorities announced their preparations for the power transition on Wednesday. And the incoming leadership of the city will face some formidable obstacles.
“We will announce the Nov. 5 election results at our council meeting on Dec. 17,” Nikki Fortunato Bas said. “It is anticipated the council will declare the office of the mayor vacant, and as council president, I will serve as interim mayor.”
The government of Oakland will be in disarray in around two weeks. Sheng Thao, the mayor, will not be there. It will be Fortunato Bas.
And that’s only the beginning of what might result in Oakland having four mayors in as many months. Because the council is reportedly going to fill the job again in January.
“City Council on Jan. 6 will elect its next council president and that council president will serve as a mayor until the special election and swearing in,” Fortunato Bas said.
Brenda Harbin-Forte remarked, “You allowed the city council to choose a new council president in December.”
Harbin-Forte, a retired judge, supported recall. According to her, the proposal is overly complex. She asserted that having two potential temporary mayors is unnecessary when there is only room for one.
Regarding her rival idea, Harbin-Forte stated, “That council president, in December, becomes interim mayor, and there is no change in the interim mayor position until the special election in April.”
However, the largest problem Oakland is currently experiencing isn’t the musical chairs in city hall.
“So, what we are clearly trying to achieve here is stability and continuity of leadership and a singular focus on our financial sustainability,” Fortunato Bas said of the plan.
And there’s more negative news regarding Oakland’s financial status. Due to the $79 million budget deficit and the city’s shifting elected administration, Fitch downgraded Oakland’s credit rating. According to Harbin-Forte, the recall is not to blame for that.
“The responsibility for the damage to the credit rating is and can be laid on the shoulders of Nikki Bass as council president, the mayor, and the other council members who have mismanaged our fiscal situation,” stated Harbin-Forte.
And a new government, including a new mayor and a few new council members, is going to inherit that predicament.
“It’s a tall order for anybody,” Dan Kalb, a council member from District 1. “It will take a while for the incoming council members to catch up. And part of the obligation is that. That’s what they committed to.
Therefore, it’s a combination of financial and political uncertainty, with the clock ticking and the stakes high for a city where the threat of insolvency has been raised.
“My message today is that we are banding together to ensure that the city is incredibly strong, incredibly resilient, and committed to doing the work that we know Oaklanders deserve,” Fortunato Bas said.
The local administration as it currently operates will take up the task of resolving the budget at a meeting scheduled for Monday of next week. According to one supervisor, that will include making “tough decisions.” And the incoming Oakland government will also have to deal with that task.
There will be a vacancy in District 2 on the Oakland City Council as Fortunato Bas takes up a new position as County Supervisor. Additionally, until voters can choose a new representative in the same April election that will choose the next mayor, the council will have to appoint someone to that position.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.