“This Special Tax will create a dedicated funding source to support the city’s efforts to address wildfire risk by:
• Implementing a comprehensive vegetation management plan
• Expanding roadside clearing to protect emergency evacuation routes
• Enhancing fire patrols on high-fire danger days
• Expanding goat grazing fuel reduction efforts
• Performing annual inspections of all parcels in the WPZ
• Providing public education efforts to help residents, businesses, and property owners protect themselves in their neighborhoods
• Providing community oversight and annual auditing of the funds.”

Oakland already does a bare minimum that it pledges to continue. It’s evident to nearly everyone that more resources are needed to do an adequate job. Wildfire prevention activities compete with other important public safety priorities, especially crime prevention and law enforcement. Other city services, street maintenance and paving, housing, economic development, and social services make demands on the budget. The WPZ tax measure will provide dedicated funds reserved for minimizing fire risk.

We successfully established the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District (WPAD) in after the 1991 Tunnel Fire.  Its renewal was defeated ten years ago, falling a few votes short. The current measure aims to correct the shortcomings of its predecessor. The most important improvement is a very robust Vegetation Management Plan; voters will know what to expect from the tax they are paying. Many weaknesses of the original measure are being given more attention, such as improved contracting processes, an improved Fire Prevention Bureau and inspections, and strong support from the Fire Chief and staff.  A directive making wildfire prevention a priority for all city departments spawned an interdepartmental task force. Finally, in the new measure, community representatives will receive an independent audit of expenses and an annual report on the activities undertaken, making their annual recommendations directly to the City Council.