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Young people and nonprofits press council for funding in FY25–26 budget — small‑sites, Black Repertory Theatre and Junior Jackets lead appeals
Summary
At the June 4 council meeting, a large public‑comment turnout asked the council to prioritize funding in the FY25–26 budget for anti‑displacement small‑sites grants, Black Repertory Theatre emergency support, youth sports (Berkeley Junior Jackets) and community arts programs.
Dozens of Berkeley residents urged the City Council during a scheduled public‑comment period on the proposed FY25–26 budget to prioritize programs aimed at preventing displacement and supporting arts and youth services.
Speakers representing the Bay Area Community Land Trust and Bay Area Community Land Trust capacity building requests highlighted the Small Sites program as a cost‑effective anti‑displacement tool, urging full funding to preserve existing low‑cost housing in threatened small and mid‑sized multifamily buildings. Several tenants of at‑risk buildings described long family histories in Berkeley and asked council to approve the small‑sites funding to keep them housed.
Arts and youth groups made repeated appeals: the Black Repertory Theatre received multiple endorsements from community members and arts leaders seeking emergency operating support; Aurora Theater Company described falling attendance and asked for emergency funds to avoid closure; and a large contingent of parents, coaches and participating children urged council to fund Berkeley Junior Jackets youth sports and scholarships so lower‑income children can participate.
Other public commenters raised concerns about proposed police vehicle purchases and surveillance investments in the consent calendar and asked for greater transparency on contractor choices, EV transition for city fleets, and funding fairness across community arts organizations.
City staff presented high‑level budget projections that show modest revenue growth but expenditures outpacing revenue, driven largely by salary and benefits increases; staff and council noted a substantial list of funding requests and scheduled further Budget & Finance Committee deliberations before final adoption on June 25.
Quotes from the public comment period included: "Please support the Small Sites program — preserve these homes and the residents living in them before they are lost," said Tracy Parent of the Bay Area Community Land Trust. Youth speakers repeatedly asked, "Please support Junior Jackets," describing the program’s role in mentoring and keeping kids engaged.
Next steps: Council deferred many funding decisions to Budget & Finance Committee hearings and the June 25 adoption schedule; staff will work with council to prioritize requests and identify balancing strategies.
