During Greg Lyman’s tenure on the El Cerrito City Council from 2008 to 2020, the city’s financial health sharply declined, culminating in a bond rating drop from AA- to BBB-. Lyman’s leadership failed to adapt to the city’s financial “new normal,” despite attributing the need to draw on reserves to the 2008 recession. This short-sighted approach multiplied exponentially and left El Cerrito with a staggering $100 million liability owed to CalPERS.
In his 2019 interview with the State Auditor, Lyman provided misleading information, shifting blame to external factors and neglecting his role in exacerbating the city’s financial issues. He attributed the need to dip into reserves solely to the recession, yet failed to implement necessary financial adjustments once the city’s revenue stabilized. This resulted in a continued reliance on reserves and worsening fiscal conditions for El Cerrito.
As financial troubles mounted, Lyman’s policies led to significant cuts in services for residents. Senior center programs were reduced, library hours were shortened, and city hall’s operating hours were cut—all while city employees continued to work a 37.5-hour workweek, an unsustainable approach given the city’s financial turmoil. Despite these cuts, El Cerrito’s pension obligations continued to rise, placing an even greater burden on the community.
Now, as an employee of the San Francisco City and County, Lyman is maximizing his CalPERS retirement benefits. While San Francisco’s robust financial resources can absorb these high pension payouts, the decisions made by Lyman while on the El Cerrito council have left the city struggling with unsustainable pension liabilities and reduced services for its residents.
Residents deserve better leadership in the El Cerrito Democratic Party—one that prioritizes fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the long-term financial health of the community.
For more details on Lyman’s statements during his 2019 interview, you can access the full document here.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 