#ElCerrito #TaxBurden #FiscalAccountability
El Cerrito residents are staring down the barrel of a probable $300 “forever” tax measure on the 2025 ballot. Many are skeptical, given the City’s history of reneging on promises made during previous tax campaigns. Already burdened by high taxes, including the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) that hit us when purchasing our home, we now face another financial responsibility, despite recent reductions in library hours. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve been dealing with: see e
Measure X: Supporting Contra Costa County’s Essential Services
Passed by voters on November 3, 2020, Measure X is a 20-year initiative funded by a ½ cent sales tax. This tax began collection on April 1, 2021, aiming to sustain the regional hospital, community health centers, emergency response capabilities, and crucial safety-net services. However, the regional hospital closed, community health centers are limited, and emergency response capabilities have not been recaptured from Kensington. Additionally, this measure did not yield measurable results in early childhood services, protecting vulnerable populations, and maintaining essential county services.
Measure R: Sustaining El Cerrito’s Community Services
In November 2014, El Cerrito residents voted to extend Measure R, a one percent sales tax, until March 31, 2027. Renewal of this tax will be yet another forever tax- meaning there is no sunset. The one percent tax, originally passed in 2010, was intended to maintain essential services like rapid 9-1-1 responses, neighborhood police patrols, crime prevention, fire protection, and the upkeep of city parks and recreational facilities.
On July 16, the City Council voted to renew this tax as a forever tax.
The City Council’s annual budget process now allows the community to attend and even participate, but none of the community input was implemented in the budget, and the “so-called” independent audits have not ensured fiscal accountability.
Measure V: El Cerrito’s Real Property Transfer Tax
Enacted in November 2018, Measure V introduced a Real Property Transfer Tax at $12 per $1,000 of property value. This tax was intended to fund the library at the station. Yet, none of the $20+ million collected under Measure V has been allocated for this purpose. Instead, these funds were misappropriated to cover irresponsible fiscal management. There’s no reason to trust that any new tax measure will be handled differently than Measure V.
Broken Promises and Growing Skepticism
Remember the tax to “improve” El Cerrito High School in 2012? The City Council voted unanimously to support it, promising better student scores. Yet, education quality remains poor, and the “temporary” sales tax has become permanent. Our small city now has one of the highest tax rates in the country.
Controversial Tax Proposals and Fiscal Accountability
El Cerrito is currently promoting a perpetual $300 tax aimed at funding a new library. However, skepticism surrounds this proposal due to unfulfilled promises from past tax measures. There are concerns that once the library is funded, leftover funds may be diverted to the general fund, potentially setting the stage for future tax initiatives aimed at covering ongoing budget deficits.
Measure G: A City with High Taxes and High Crime
Despite having one of the highest per capita tax rates in the country, El Cerrito struggles with one of the highest crime rates per capita. We fund one of the largest police departments in the area, yet safety remains a pressing concern. Meanwhile, the senior center was shuttered, and funding for the library was slashed.
This situation underscores the need for transparent and accountable fiscal management to maintain public trust and ensure the effective use of taxpayer money before we will approve another tax measure.
If you want to end forever tsx measures vote NO on measure G. Force the city to implement reasonable 8-12 year sunset dates.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 