A quick note to publicly commend the Oakley City Staff, especially Oakley’s finance officer Tim Przybyla, for an extraordinarily outstanding budget presentation for Oakley 2022-2023. Mr. Przybyla segmented the budget into three sections so that all could easily understand how the City allocates its money. I cannot say enough good words about my appreciation of the effort.
A link to a copy is below.
The Community Improvement Projects (CIPs) were detailed. Among the items slated for completion are shade canopies for the Koda Dog Park, a functional air conditioning unit for the senior center, a widening of Laurel Road at O’Hara Av, and a signal at Main St and Delta Rd. Yes, there were many other projects listed.
I did balk at the 6.5 million dollars allocated for the parking lot with an adjoining road across the street from City Hall. I moved the 6.5 million dollars move to a library construction account. The motion died for lack of a second from my colleagues, including two who have publicly supported a tax increase to build a new Oakley Library (Williams and Higgins).
Also, I explained my distaste that Oakley had allocated $50,000.00 for ADA improvements when the City is 100 million dollars in arrears for ADA compliance.
I did suggest that Oakley have an annual Juneteenth celebration, which Mayor Randy Pope supported. I do anticipate the event will begin next year. Below is a link to a San Francisco Chronicle article by Dr. Mary J. Wardell-Ghirarduzzi, vice-president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, at the University of the Pacific, sharing her perceptions of Juneteenth.
George Fuller, MPA, MA
City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA
