In the the June budget meeting, the City Manager presented the council with a balanced budget, expressing deep emotion and gratitude toward her finance team. Her voice wavered, almost to the point of tears, as she thanked them for their dedication and hard work. For many, this moment might have seemed like a triumph—a testament to the resilience and commitment of the city’s leadership. Yet, to those more attuned to the city’s long-term challenges, the scene was incredulous.
The City’s financial woes are not a secret. The State Auditor’s report painted a grim picture, highlighting deep-seated issues that have plagued El Cerrito for years. Given this context, it’s worth questioning whether maintaining the status quo is the right approach or if it’s time to consider moving on, particularly when it comes to leadership.
In June, a conversation took place between a concerned citizen and Council Member Motoyama. The citizen, a Certified Management Consultant, questioned why the city had not hired Steve Salomon, a renowned interim city manager known for turning around cities like Orinda, Albany, and Hercules during their financial crises. Motoyama’s response was straightforward: “We already have a City Manager.” But the citizen, drawing on her expertise, countered with a pointed observation: “The people who oversaw the actions that led to the State Auditor’s report are not the people to clean things up.”
This exchange underscores a fundamental principle in management: sometimes, the best way to achieve long-term goals is to make difficult decisions in the short term. In this case, that might mean recognizing when current leadership has reached the limits of its effectiveness. Financial mismanagement, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot be resolved by those who were at the helm when it occurred.
Motoyama also mentioned that the city didn’t have the money to bring in someone like Salomon. However, this perspective may be shortsighted. The cost of continuing with ineffective leadership can be far greater in the long run than the immediate expense of hiring a skilled turnaround expert. A seasoned interim city manager could make the tough decisions necessary to rightsize the budget, streamline operations, and implement sustainable financial practices—potentially saving the city millions in the long term.
The solution is clear: El Cerrito just needs to secure Steve Salomon or another experienced turnaround operative and choose not to renew the current City Manager’s contract. This strategic move would ensure that the city’s financial future is placed in the hands of someone with a proven track record of success in similar situations. By doing so, the city can avoid the pitfalls of continued mismanagement and take a significant step toward financial stability.
As El Cerrito grapples with its financial future, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits of moving on. Clinging to familiar faces may feel safe, but it could also hinder progress. Sometimes, the best way to honor the hard work of a team is to acknowledge when fresh leadership is needed to guide them toward the future they deserve.
The time to make these changes is now, before more damage is done. The city needs leaders who are not only willing but capable of making the difficult choices necessary to secure El Cerrito’s financial stability and future prosperity. The merits of moving on, in this case, are clear: it’s about ensuring that the city’s long-term goals are met with the right people leading the way.
#Leadership #CityManagement #FiscalResponsibility #ElCerrito #LongTermGoals #FinancialStability #StrategicPlanning #MunicipalManagement #TurnaroundExpert #CommunityLeadership
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
The City of El Cerrito needs a major restructuring plan to address the $84,000,000 pension liability (debt) that will continue to grow and eventually place the City under bankruptcy and insolvency. The City needs to terminate its pension plan and initiate a defined benefit plan. To accomplish this would require the City to outsource its police department to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. That in itself would be a big relief in not having to manage the troubled City run police department and potential future lawsuits. El Cerrito City Council needs to get with it. The world has changed. There are many examples of Cities in CCC that have made changes to deal with the new paradigm.
On Wed, Sep 4, 2024 at 7:49 AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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