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Berkeley council places library, parks, soda‑tax reauthorization and Measure P changes on November ballot
Summary
After extended public comment and staff briefings, council approved submission of four tax questions — reauthorizing the sugary‑drink distributor tax, a library parcel tax, a parks tax increase, and amendments to Measure P (real property transfer tax) — with some revisions and designated council authors for ballot arguments.
At the July 30 special meeting the Berkeley City Council voted to place a package of revenue measures on the November 5 ballot: reauthorize the sugar‑sweetened beverage (SSB) distributor tax (remove sunset), place a library operations parcel tax before voters, put an increase to the parks/trees maintenance tax on the ballot, and submit an amended Measure P real property transfer tax that would increase and extend the existing surtax with tiered thresholds and a delayed effective date.
Supporters of the SSB tax — including public health researchers and community nonprofits — emphasized the program’s public health record. "We found a 10% reduction in sales of sugary drinks" following the city’s original tax, Dr. Lynn Silver of the Public Health Institute said, urging council to remove the sunset and keep the tax structure in place. Councilmember Hahn moved to remove the sunset and carry forward the existing tax wording; the amended ballot question language was accepted and the motion carried without objection.
Library advocates, including Amy Roth (Board of Library Trustees) and longtime supporters, urged a parcel tax to preserve staffing and hours. The library director told the council the proposed 6¢ per square foot residential / 9¢ commercial proposal would raise about $5.6 million annually and is designed to preserve existing services and avoid cuts. The council voted to submit the library parcel tax and designated councilmembers to author arguments in favor.
The parks tax increase and the parks commission’s unanimous recommendation also won council approval to go on the ballot.
On Measure P (the general real property transfer tax that funds homelessness services), the mayor and councilmembers working with stakeholders proposed two substantive revisions: (1) set specific dollar thresholds tied to the 67th/80th/95th percentiles with minimum floors (e.g., $1,600,000; $1,900,000; $3,000,000) and (2) delay application of any increases until Jan. 1, 2027, so market conditions and implementation planning can proceed. The council adopted the amended package and designated council members to work on campaign arguments.
Supporters of Measure P noted the tax has funded shelter, outreach and permanent supportive housing and credited it with reductions in the city's unsheltered homelessness. Opponents raised concerns about voter perception and the duration of the tax. The amended Measure P language and the other three tax measures will appear on the November ballot as submitted.
