Oakland City Council members and City Administrator Dan Lindheim are holding three community forums in the next two weeks to get ideas on how the city can close its $31.5 million budget gap for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
City Council President Jane Brunner noted that 85 percent of the city's general fund budget, excluding debt, goes to police and fire services and said the city is trying to figure out which city services to cut.
Brunner said the manner in which the city solves its budget problems will shape arts and culture, recreation, senior and youth services and public safety for years to come.
The first community forum will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Glenview Elementary School at 4215 La Cresta Ave. in Central Oakland.
The next forum will be at the same time on June 14, at the Eastmont police substation at 2651 73rd Ave. in East Oakland.
The last forum will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 17 at Peralta Elementary School at 460 63rd St. in North Oakland.
Oakland residents can send budget suggestions to oaklandbudgetsuggestions@oaklandnet.com.
