In El Cerrito, a growing concern has emerged regarding the high salaries of city management staff, many of whom do not even live in the city. While they benefit from their generous wages, these employees are largely insulated from the very taxes they approve or advocate for. Instead, the burden of these increasing taxes falls squarely on the residents of El Cerrito, who are often struggling to keep up with rising costs.
A quick look at the top wage earners in the city reveals a pattern: most of them reside outside of El Cerrito, often in cities or counties with lower tax burdens. They enjoy the benefit of a high salary, funded by local taxpayers, without having to face the same level of financial responsibility that comes with living here. For them, raising taxes is just another way to maintain their standard of living, knowing they won’t have to foot the bill.
On the other hand, a few employees, such as the City Manager and Chief of Police, do live in El Cerrito. But with their generous salaries, they are shielded from the everyday struggles many residents face. Their high earnings make increased taxes less impactful on their personal budgets. In other words, the same high taxes that can devastate an average household in El Cerrito have little impact on their lifestyles. This leaves many residents wondering if those in charge truly understand the weight of the financial decisions they’re making.
What’s more concerning is that, with no clear performance objectives, there is little incentive for crime or fire prevention. The current structure doesn’t prioritize efficient city services or cost savings for residents. Without goals tied to outcomes, such as reducing crime rates or improving fire prevention and preparedness, the high salaries are simply maintaining a status quo rather than driving positive change. This lack of accountability leads to complacency and unnecessary spending, all at the expense of hardworking El Cerritans who deserve better services and financial responsibility.
This situation presents a clear imbalance. It’s easy to support tax increases when they don’t affect your personal bottom line. Meanwhile, the residents of El Cerrito—many of whom are on fixed or modest incomes—are the ones forced to pay for these decisions. It’s time we rethink the fairness of this system and start holding city leadership accountable for decisions that primarily benefit those who live elsewhere.
El Cerrito’s fiscal challenges need real solutions, not just another round of tax increases to support the wage growth of non-resident employees. We need city leadership that understands the financial realities of living here and is committed to making decisions that benefit all residents, not just those who draw a paycheck from the city and live elsewhere.
El Cerritans, it’s time to demand accountability from our city leaders! We must ask for transparency on how our tax dollars are being spent and ensure that those who are making these decisions have our best interests at heart—not their own paychecks. Let’s push for responsible financial management that prioritizes residents’ needs over the enrichment of non-resident employees. We also need clear performance objectives for crime prevention, fire safety, and service efficiency so we can see tangible improvements in our community. Reach out to your city council members and make your voice heard. Our future depends on it.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 