The City of Berkeley has proposed a budget plan to cut 138 positions and address a structural deficit, with a potential sales tax increase on the November ballot to mitigate further cuts. - 138 positions slated for cuts: 38 filled and 100 vacant.
- Proposed 0.5% sales tax could generate $9 million annually. - Cuts affect Police, Fire, and Parks departments if tax passes.
- Public meetings scheduled through June for community input. The plan aims to stabilize finances without one-time fixes, but deeper cuts may be needed if the tax measure fails.