On July 7, City Council approved an ordinance to place a $300 million general obligation bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to finance critical infrastructure projects. Council also voted to approve resolutions to place two measures on the November ballot for City Charter amendments and approved construction contracts for the Alameda Aquatic Center, which are detailed in a separate article.
With at least $800 million in unfunded infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs identified across the city—an amount that continues to grow amid impacts stemming from climate change—City staff have conducted extensive public input in the past year to gather feedback on how to prioritize and fund key needs. Staff also explored the possibility of placing a local bond measure on the ballot that would create a dedicated funding source for key infrastructure projects, rather than pulling from the City’s general fund balance, which, according to Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler, could put other City services and priorities at risk.
If passed by voters, the measure would require property owners to pay about $49 per year for every $100,000 of assessed value. It would also create a Council-appointed oversight committee to review and report on expenditures for projects that fall under five authorized capital improvement project categories:
- Preventing flooding and combating sea-level rise.
- Preparing for earthquakes and emergencies.
- Maintain rapid response to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies.
- Repairing potholes and keeping streets safe and accessible.
- Keeping pollution out of the Bay.
The City hired Team CivX and FM3 Research—consultants that specialize in election strategy and public opinion research—to gauge public appetite and perspectives for a proposed bond measure. Curtis Below, a partner and Chief Operating Officer at FM3, explained the survey methodology, which involved interviewing 420 residents over the phone or by email over a week in June 2026. They were asked a series of questions, ranging from their opinions about the direction Alameda is heading, approval of city government, thoughts on key issues and priorities, and support for an infrastructure bond.
Overall, Alameda voters who responded were generally optimistic about the city’s direction and have generally positive views of city government. The high cost of living and housing, followed by climate change, were identified as the three most significant problems Alameda faces. Crucially, about 62% of those surveyed said they would support a bond measure, but notably, this value falls short of the two-thirds supermajority required for its passage.
However, that percentage, as well as the perceived need for additional infrastructure funding, have been trending higher since 2024, leading Team CivX’s Jeremy Hauser to express some surprise given that residents of other cities have soured on similar proposals. With optimism, Hauser indicated that with a robust advocacy campaign and continued outreach and education, the measure has a chance to gain voter approval later this year.
Public comment
About a dozen community leaders and residents largely voiced support for placing the bond on the ballot…