In the upcoming Nov. 3 election, Berkeley voters will vote on Measure U, which would authorize the city to issue $300 million in bonds for infrastructure improvement projects.
The bonds will be used to strengthen the city’s emergency response, including Fire Department facilities and seismic and climate resiliency systems, replace natural gas with electricity in city infrastructure, and improve the city’s parks and recreation facilities, according to the City Attorney’s impartial analysis.
The measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council and requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
If approved, the City Auditor will conduct an annual audit of all bond expenditures, and the City Manager will present a report on the expenditures and status of improvement projects to the City Council every year, the impartial analysis notes.
To pay the bonds back, the city will impose a property tax over 40 years, costing taxpayers approximately $22 per $100,000 of assessed property value annually, according to the impartial analysis of the measure. The tax is expected to raise $15.2 million every year.
Supporters, including Mayor Adena Ishii and City Auditor Jenny Wong, said in an argument written in favor of the measure that Measure U will allow the city to renovate the 911 dispatch center, replace unsafe fire stations, and construct seawalls to protect against sea level rise.
“The impacts of climate change, including intense wildfires, put lives and infrastructure at risk,” the argument in favor said. “Yes on U upgrades critical infrastructure to reduce pollution flowing to the Bay and addresses the dangers of flood and wildfire risk.”
However, opponents believe that the measure lacks a comprehensive plan to spend the money, doesn’t commit to specific projects, and doesn’t include a budget for maintaining new facilities.
“High inflation and competing spending priorities, with no blueprint for success, risk taking on enormous debt without addressing Berkeley’s most pressing infrastructure needs,” the argument against Measure U states.
The authors of the opposition argument, including Isabelle Gaston with the volunteer organization Affordable Berkeley, also contend that with higher interest rates, the measure will cost the city $550-600 million if passed, and not the stated $300 million.
Measure L, a similar measure that intended to raise $650 million through bonds, fell short of the two-thirds benchmark when it was placed on the ballot in the 2022 elections.
In polling conducted by the city in April, 69% of voters were in favor of Measure U, suggesting that the measure will be closely contested come November.