Berkeley council moves ahead with polling on up to $300 million bond to address infrastructure backlog

Mayor Ishii called a Dec. 2 special meeting of the Berkeley City Council to focus on the city’s infrastructure needs and to introduce an eight‑page update from the Vision 2050 task force staff are calling “Realize Vision 2050.” The mayor said Berkeley faces major deferred maintenance, noting "Berkeley still has more than $2,000,000,000 in unfunded infrastructure needs." (Mayor Ishii)

Deputy City Manager David White told the council staff’s work indicates a similarly large backlog and asked whether the council wants staff to evaluate the feasibility of a general obligation bond in 2026 to raise up to $300 million. "We would be discussing a variety of projects to apply to a general obligation bond in an amount up to $300,000,000," White said. He outlined a draft engagement schedule and polling plan that would sample likely November 2026 voters and return results to council in March–May 2026.

White and staff walked the council through the proposed project list, grouped into three $100 million buckets: community facilities and quality of life, public safety, and critical…