Oakland

Oakland City Council approves budget cuts plan amid $129 million deficit

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The Oakland City Council made some difficult decisions during Tuesday night's meeting as the city faces a $129 million deficit.

With five "yes" votes, a one "no" vote and two excuses, the city council approved a plan with cuts that will impact several areas of the city including Oakland's police and fire departments.

The cuts will be broken into two phases:

Phase one, which would be put into place no later than the end of December, would involve cuts to city staff and police overtime spending, along with postponing police academies and browning out two fire stations.

The second phase, which is set to take place end of January, beginning of February, could brown out additional fire engines.

Public comment also happened on Tuesday evening as dozens of people were at the meeting. Many of them were hoping for the city would find a way to avoid or reduce the proposed cuts.

Unions and public safety leaders voiced their concerns over other cuts during the meeting and a rally outside city hall. Public safety leaders said the cuts will put the city’s safety at risk.

Jocelyn Moran has more in the video above.

Oakland’s city council debated ways to fill a $129 million hole in the city's budget during a meeting on Tuesday. Velena Jones reports.
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