The Hayward State of the City address took place at Hayward Unified School District Performing Arts Center on March 12. As if starting a show, all the lights in the theater dimmed and a spotlight shined on a Hayward High School student giving an introduction about Mayor Mark Salinas at the podium.
A video showcasing locations in Hayward played. After the video, the stage lights went up and Salinas walked on stage, ready to share the State of the City. The mayor spoke to the audience, almost like a Ted Talk, for about an hour.
The mayor started his speech with the elephant in the room: the budget. Last spring, the city found out they were struggling financially. “The city spent more than it received,” he said.
Salinas said the main causes of the budget deficit are paying for overtime, new programs and services, saving St. Rose Hospital, buying a movie theater on B Street and pay increases for all city employees.
He said the steps the city took to help reduce the budget shortfall consist of cutting all executive position compensation by 40% and $6.7 million dollars in personnel savings.
Members of SEIU, the workers union for Hayward city employees, were in the audience and shouted “layoffs!” when Salinas talked about personnel. Some city workers were laid off a week before Christmas last year. Members expressed their opinions with a few words several times after that, but the mayor continued on with his speech.
He talked about crime being down, road improvements and a goal for a “Vision Zero City,” a movement that aims to reduce the number of fatal and severe injury crashes to zero.
The Hayward Rides program gives free bikes and safety gear to Hayward residents. Every month the city gives away 100 bikes through an application process and a random drawing.
The mayor also spoke about the city’s status as a Pro-Housing Designation. The designation means the city made housing available for every income level. The state runs the program, making multiple state grants available for cities working on housing projects.
“Our approach to homelessness is not simply a policy choice, it is a moral responsibility,” Salinas said. “How we care for the unhoused, the sick and those in crisis is a test of who we are as a city.”.
He said the city’s housing navigation center connects the unhoused to housing, healthcare and supportive services. The center served 124 people in 2025 and 62 received stable housing.
Salinas thanked the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for teaming up to save St. Rose Hospital. He said St. Rose is on the path to financial stability.
He also spoke on illegal dumping, city cleanup events and the Access Hayward App, for residents to report problems such as broken sidewalks. Salinas ensured that they are responding to the requests.
He also highlighted new local businesses and the city’s vision of becoming an Education City.
Over a quarter of Hayward residents are students. He said this label means every child is supported from cradle to career through trade programs, community college and university.
