Berkeley City Council Advances Budget Plan with Layoffs, Service Cuts, and Sales Tax Proposal

The Berkeley City Council is moving forward with a budget balancing plan that includes layoffs, service cuts, and a potential sales tax increase to address a nearly $30 million structural deficit. - The plan would eliminate 20 full-time positions and cut 130 vacant jobs.

- A worst-case scenario includes closing Fire Station 4, which fire officials say would increase emergency response times. - The council hopes to avoid the closure by placing a 0.5% sales tax increase on the November ballot.

The council must adopt the two-year budget by the end of June.