Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett's decisive reelection in District Three, securing 70 percent of the vote, has spotlighted the operational expertise of Chief of Staff James Chang, whose decade-long public service career has directly shaped policies addressing homelessness, infrastructure, and community safety. Chang's leadership in daily operations and strategic planning for Bartlett's office has yielded measurable outcomes, most notably through a three-year housing funding strategy that reduced homelessness in Berkeley by coordinating resources and stakeholder engagement across sectors.
Chang's policy development skills have secured critical funding for community projects, including $27 million for infrastructure improvements through collaborative legislation that navigated complex political landscapes. His constituent-focused approach emphasizes practical problem-solving, as evidenced by initiatives to clean streets, implement traffic safety measures, and ensure compassionate services for unhoused residents. One significant achievement involved securing $9 million for the African American Holistic Research Center and enhancing safety along MLK Way, a seven-year effort Chang describes as "still messy, but safe" in reflecting the persistence required for lasting community change.
Prior to his role with Bartlett, Chang served as Chief of Staff to former District 7 Councilmember Kriss Worthington, where he developed expertise in progressive legislation spanning affordable housing expansion, climate crisis responses, and public safety enhancements. This experience informed his current work establishing cross-functional teams that unite business leaders and activist groups to prioritize shared safety goals, demonstrating how strategic collaboration can address urban challenges. Chang's ability to translate policy into tangible improvements—from housing stability to infrastructure upgrades—underscores the value of skilled public servants in local government.
As cities nationwide confront similar issues, Chang's work exemplifies how staff-level leadership drives community impact, with initiatives like the housing funding strategy detailed at https://www.berkeleyca.gov/housing-programs reducing homelessness through coordinated action. His focus on constituent needs, summarized in his statement that "what I do best is I know how to deliver for constituents who are in need," highlights a service-oriented approach that has strengthened Berkeley's political effectiveness. The reelection outcome, with Chang as a key strategist, reinforces the importance of dedicated public servants in achieving policy goals that directly benefit residents.
Chang's contributions illustrate the critical role of behind-the-scenes expertise in local governance, where long-term vision and operational skill—such as securing infrastructure funds through https://www.berkeleyca.gov/infrastructure-projects—translate into safer, more equitable communities. His work on public safety collaborations, documented at https://www.berkeleyca.gov/public-safety-initiatives, shows how bridging diverse stakeholder interests can advance shared objectives, offering a model for other municipalities facing urban challenges. Ultimately, Chang's decade of service demonstrates how experienced staff members are essential to transforming political priorities into lived improvements for residents, from housing stability to enhanced public spaces.
