California’s worst-run city could give council members $108K raises

Oakland has an illegal dumping epidemic, high crime, a homelessness crisis that has doubled over the last decade, and other strained services due to its structural budget deficit.

And yet, the city’s mayor wants to reward her fellow politicians with a pay raise.

Oakland city councilmembers could get a $108,000 pay and benefits bump under Measure EE, which is backed by Mayor Barbara Lee. It would give City Hall’s top elected official more control over the city while opening the door to substantial compensation increases for the eight-member council. 

The proposal comes as Oakland’s previous mayor Sheng Thao is on trial for an alleged pay-to-play corruption scheme.

Oakland’s dysfunction prompted Lee and supporters outside City Hall to push for the reforms — but little attention has been paid to the pay and benefits hike, which could climb to roughly $256,500 per councilmember, according to an Oakland Report analysis.

The mayor’s campaign selling Measure EE to voters has largely omitted these details. Lee’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Councilmembers currently earn a base salary of $114,243. Oakland Report estimated their annual compensation at about $148,500 when benefits are included. 

City Auditor Michael Houston projects additional salary and benefit costs of $36,000 to $108,000 per member, with the council’s combined first-year increase reaching as much as $867,000.

Oakland Report found the Yes on EE campaign’s website, frequently asked questions and supporting ballot arguments did not mention the projected raises, instead emphasizing accountability and making council service a full-time job.

Voters rejected a parcel tax in June that would have raised about $34 million annually. Without the money, city officials anticipated freezing vacant positions and closing roughly 190 homeless shelter beds.

Oakland’s homeless population has roughly doubled since 2015, rising from 2,191 to 4,410 in 2026, according to city records and Alameda County’s point-in-time count — despite a nearly 20% decline over the past two years.

City streets remain a cleanup challenge, as crews hauled away 1,701 tons of illegally dumped material in August and September alone. That represented a 46% increase over the same period last year as additional equipment and funding helped workers tackle the backlog, according to a city report.

The proposal to give a raise to councilmembers comes as Oakland continues to deal with an embarrassing public corruption scandal. Thao, her longtime partner and two executives tied to the city’s recycling contractor are all standing trial.

Prosecutors allege Thao promised favorable treatment for businesses controlled by David Duong and his son, Andy Duong, in exchange for political mailers and a promise of $300,000 paid to her partner, Andre Jones. All four have pleaded not guilty.

With that mess remaining in the headlines, Measure EE would scrap the existing restriction that caps council salary increases at 5% every two years.

Starting in 2027, the Public Ethics Commission would instead set compensation using comparisons with full-time councilmembers and county supervisors in California jurisdictions it selects. The measure sets no specific salary and no dollar ceiling. 

Supporters argue that paying councilmembers for full-time work would make elected office more accessible to people without personal wealth or outside income. The ballot question discloses the proposed change in salary-setting rules.

The bigger overhaul would shift power toward the mayor, granting Lee authority over most city departments and veto power over legislation and individual budget items. Overriding a veto would require six council votes.

Councilmembers would gain oversight tools and an independent budget and legislative analyst’s office.

Even getting the proposal onto the ballot required Lee’s intervention, when she broke a 4–4 council deadlock in June.

The full package would add an estimated $2 million to $2.6 million in first-year costs — another expense for a city already struggling to pay its bills.

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