El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation

El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services relative to its population and geographic size. The California State Auditor previously recommended that El Cerrito conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate staffing levels for each classification. However, nearly four years later, the city has disregarded this recommendation. As the data shows, El Cerrito’s staffing levels appear to be highly inflated compared to its neighbors, raising questions about the efficiency of its resource allocation and the burden on taxpayers.

Overstaffing not only creates upward pressure on expenses, but it also significantly increases the city’s PERS retirement costs, further inflating the unfunded liability, which currently stands at $89 million. Safety employees, including Fire and Police, contribute much larger retirement costs than standard employees, adding to the long-term financial strain on the city.

With a population of 30,770 served by three fire stations, the city averages 10,257 residents per station, far lower than most of its neighbors. By comparison:

• Lafayette: 8,349 residents per station (3 stations, population 25,048, covering 15.20 square miles)

• Martinez: 12,132 residents per station (3 stations, population 36,395, covering 12.47 square miles)

• Richmond: 16,105 residents per station (7 stations, population 112,735)

• Berkeley: 16,745 residents per station (7 stations, population 117,214)

• Pleasant Hill: 16,901 residents per station (2 stations, population 33,802)

Despite its compact size of just 4.66 square miles, El Cerrito’s fire department resources per capita are proportionally far greater than larger cities like Antioch (29,274 residents per station) or Concord (40,772 residents per station).

To ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and responsibly, El Cerrito must commission an independent staffing analysis to evaluate the appropriate levels for fire services and other departments. Such a study would provide critical insights to help align staffing with community needs, reduce unnecessary expenses, and address the growing unfunded liability.

For detailed data, visit: Data Source

#ElCerrito #FireDepartment #TaxDollars #PublicSafety #StaffingAnalysis #PERSCosts #UnfundedLiability #LocalGovernment #Accountability