Oakland's finance director resigns amid financial woes
Oakland's finance director has resigned, city officials confirmed Thursday, just days before the interim mayor releases his two-year budget proposal as the city grapples with financial challenges and awaits the swearing in of Barbara Lee as the next mayor.
Erin Roseman, who was hired in 2021 under former Mayor Libby Schaaf, has been leading the city's effort to address a massive budget deficit in its general purpose fund, which pays for fire and police among other services. Her last day will be July 15 — several weeks after the city adopts the next biennial budget, according to Jestin Johnson, the city administrator.
Johnson said Roseman has been instrumental in moving the city forward. He confirmed she has given notice, and he said Roseman wanted to pursue other opportunities. Roseman did not immediately return a request for comment.
Roseman's resignation comes at a critical time as the city prepares for new leadership. Lee, a longtime former U.S. representative in the East Bay, won the mayor's race last month and is expected to take office sometime in May.
Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins is expected to release his budget proposal on Monday, delayed from Thursday.
Over the last several months, Roseman has clashed with some council members. In March, council members expressed alarm that the city's finance department had yet to issue a bond to collect millions of dollars in Measure U funding for infrastructure improvements and affordable housing projects. And most recently, council members criticized Roseman after she told them the city was prohibited from tapping into the equipment services fund to pay for 37 new police cars.
Prior to joining the city, Roseman worked as the chief financial officer for the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, which oversees transit agencies including Caltrans. She also worked for 11 years in the city of Arlington, Texas, as an assistant director of fiscal policy.
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