In the heart of our diverse and vibrant community, a troubling trend persists within El Cerrito’s city leadership—a trend that raises questions about loyalty, vested interest, and the real cost to our city’s future. At the helm of this trend is the City Manager, whose ability to cultivate unwavering loyalty from her staff comes at a steep price to our community.
The leadership team, composed largely of individuals who do not reside in El Cerrito, appears more aligned with the City Manager’s narrative than with the pressing needs of the community they are meant to serve. This allegiance, while beneficial for maintaining internal cohesion, comes with significant drawbacks for the city’s fiscal health and service delivery.
The stark reality is that our city’s leadership, whose high salaries contribute substantially to the financial strain, is driving us toward another round of near-bankruptcy.
Rising Salaries in El Cerrito
The salaries of El Cerrito’s leadership have seen substantial increases over the past few years, straining the city’s already precarious financial situation. According to Transparent California, key positions within the city’s administration have experienced significant compensation growth:
- Assistant City Manager: From $241,834 to $330,863, a 36.8% increase.
- Finance Director: $282,482 (latest figure).
- Public Works Director: From $269,537 to $331,407, a 23.0% increase.
- Community Development Director: From $264,396 to $300,921, a 13.8% increase.
- Recreation Director: From $260,745 to $299,816, a 15.0% increase.
- City Clerk: From $203,716 to $276,276, a 35.6% increase.
Fire Department Salaries
Additionally, the compensation for El Cerrito’s fire department’s top earners has reached staggering levels, with overtime payments contributing significantly to their total earnings:
- Fire Captain: $481,284
- Fire Captain: $441,487
- Fire Lieutenant: $424,795
- Fire Chief: $412,926
- Fire Lieutenant: $376,071
- Fire Engineer: $375,981
- Fire Captain: $367,875
- Fire Engineer: $365,817
- Fire Engineer: $362,828
- Fire Engineer: $345,385
El Cerrito now employs four battalion chiefs, while neighboring cities such as Albany and Hercules, which are of similar size, operate with none. The total compensation for fire captains and battalion chiefs in El Cerrito is approaching $600,000, with six top earners receiving over $100,000 in overtime—the highest being $203,490.
Comparison with Nearby Cities
El Cerrito’s financial practices stand in stark contrast to nearby cities. Albany, for instance, maintains an excellent standard of public safety without incurring such high costs. Kensington, which contributes about 30% of El Cerrito’s fire department budget, highlights the imbalance in our spending. Moreover, El Cerrito city staff earn considerably more than their counterparts in cities of comparable size, raising questions about the sustainability and equity of our city’s compensation policies.
State Auditor’s Report
The California State Auditor’s report emphasizes the fiscal challenges El Cerrito faces due to chronic overspending. The need to review staffing levels and compensation is more pressing than ever. Our financial management has resulted in El Cerrito being ranked as the 13th most likely California city to face bankruptcy. The excessive reliance on reserves and the handling of pension liabilities further exacerbate our financial woes.
The Story of Compliance with State Auditor’s Recommendations
The leadership team recently has been vocal about their commitment to meeting the State Auditor’s 2021 recommendations, painting a picture of progress and stability. However, the facts tell a different story.
Despite assurances, we have not seen meaningful compliance with these recommendations, particularly those focused on fiscal responsibility and sustainability. The staffing level study, which is crucial for aligning resources with community needs, has been shelved, leaving us without a clear roadmap for managing our most valuable asset—our people.
Depleting Reserves and Looming Debt
One of the most alarming aspects of our current situation is the continued reliance on reserves to cover operating expenses. This practice is unsustainable and indicative of deeper fiscal mismanagement. Our general fund reserves are being depleted at an alarming rate, leaving us vulnerable to financial shocks and limiting our ability to invest in vital community services.
Moreover, the city grapples with a staggering $85 million in unfunded pension liabilities with CalPERS. This debt is not merely a distant concern; it is a pressing issue that accrues interest at a rate of 6.8% annually. The financial burden of this liability threatens to overshadow other essential budgetary needs and places a heavy strain on future budgets.
Lack of Vested Interest
A significant portion of our leadership team does not reside in El Cerrito, which raises questions about their vested interest in the long-term success and service delivery of our city. Without the perspective of a resident, can they truly understand the impact of their decisions on the community they serve? This disconnect contributes to decision-making that often prioritizes internal loyalty over community well-being.
Conclusion
As we navigate these challenging times, it is crucial to critically assess the leadership dynamics within our city. We must demand transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to the well-being of El Cerrito. Our community deserves leaders who are not only loyal to one another but also deeply invested in the success and sustainability of the city they are entrusted to serve.
The path forward requires us to confront these challenges head-on, advocating for leadership that reflects the diversity and dynamism of El Cerrito. We must push for solutions that prioritize the fiscal health of our city and ensure that our community remains a thriving and vibrant place for generations to come.
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El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 