Category Archives: Budget

Alameda pays its union dues

Posted on January 28, 2024 by Robert Sullwold

2023 was a banner year for organized labor. First came the auto workers represented by the UAW, who won a contract with the Big Three automakers providing for a series of raises totaling 25 percent over the next four years.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

It takes a Village

Posted on July 30, 2023 by Robert Sullwold

A non‑profit organization founded in 2019 has become the go‑to contractor for the City of Alameda’s efforts to furnish services to the city’s homeless population. Since May 2020, the organization – now known as the “Village of Love Foundation” – … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

The melting slush fund

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Robert Sullwold

Those Merry‑Go‑Round readers who are interested in the City budget – both of them –  may remember our piece last February about the unrestricted funds in the General Fund that are available to Council  to draw upon to spend for … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Council’s slush fund

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Robert Sullwold

Our topic today is the residual fund balance in excess of policy or fund balance deficits in the General Fund. Sound boring? We thought so.  What if we called it, “Alameda City Council’s slush fund”? Ah, now we’ve got your … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Sounds like a plan

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Robert Sullwold

The City of Alameda loves its strategic plans. At least the staff who propose them and the Council members who vote for them do. And the consultants who get paid to prepare them can’t be too unhappy, either.

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Princes of Alameda

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

For years, the Merry‑Go‑Round believed that the savviest political operator ever to occupy an office at City Hall was former City Manager John Russo. But in our estimation Mr. Russo now has got himself a rival for the crown:  City … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Sweet home Alameda

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry‑Go‑Round always has been unabashedly – and unashamedly – Alameda‑centric. Whenever we read a story comparing California cities by various metrics, our first instinct is to see whether the City of Alameda is mentioned.  And if it isn’t, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Pensions | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

The scorecard on Trish Spencer

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

Here’s your Alameda mayoral campaign quiz for the day: During the last two years, which candidate has voted in favor of the following “progressive,” pro‑bicycle, and pro‑development proposals brought before City Council: Renaming Jackson Park to Chochenyo Park; Authorizing planning … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Development, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

$10 million+ for the homeless

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

During the last three years, the services offered, or planned to be offered, by our City government to the homeless population in Alameda have increased dramatically.  So have the funds authorized by Council to be spent for that purpose.

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Using ARPA for GBI

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

Got a project that the U.S. Treasury would deem eligible under the American Rescue Plan Act? If so, the City of Alameda may have a deal for you – but you’d better act fast.

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments