Have questions or concerns about Oakland’s budget? Don’t miss this meeting

The Oakland City Council meets today at 1 p.m. for a special study session to examine Mayor Sheng Thao’s budget plan for the next two years.

The $4.2 billion budget Thao unveiled last month balances out a historic $360 million shortfall in the city’s general fund. To do this without laying off any city employees, Thao has proposed major cuts across city services, including police and fire, and merging several departments for efficiency. Smaller programs like cultural affairs and the Public Ethics Commission will lose money for core programs and initiatives. The budget would freeze approximately 325 vacant budgeted positions.