We are deeply concerned about the lack of financial transparency and decision-making in El Cerrito’s government, particularly regarding the Plaza Library effort.
When we visit the city’s homepage, we see that a potential new library is being promoted. Yet, just yesterday, we received a document—an RFP for a contractor to run the library campaign. There were no budget items. No correspondence of any kind. These are significant financial decisions, yet there was no budget analysis or discussion by the Financial Advisory Board (FAB).
On Thursday, the BART board is set to discuss the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). There was supposed to be a bond measure by this spring (previously by the 2024 primary), but we have seen no budget documents, no external published analysis, and no FAB discussion.
Previously, the city began applying for a $10 million library grant but failed to complete the process, supposedly due to a lack of funds—despite ongoing claims about the strength of the city’s finances. Was there any financial analysis behind that decision? Was it reviewed by FAB?
During the period of low interest rates, the city had the opportunity to issue low-interest-rate pension bonds but failed to do so. That decision may have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Yet, as far as we can tell, no financial analysis was presented to either the council or FAB.
In 2023, the proposed library tax changed from approximately $175 per year for 30 years to about $300 per year indefinitely for average-sized homes. However, we have seen no financial analysis from the city on this significant change.
We have not seen any financial analysis related to the purchase of the church property. We have not seen any financial analysis that justifies the city’s claim that it cannot afford to maintain a senior center.
In many of these cases, our open records requests have yielded ZERO documents. How are decisions being made in El Cerrito’s government?
Our Conclusion
The finance department must conduct thorough financial analyses and make them available to the council, FAB, and the community. El Cerrito needs to commit to greater transparency in its financial decision-making process. Taxpayers deserve accountability.
Contact Information for El Cerrito City Council Members (as of 2025):
- Carolyn Wysinger (Mayor, Term Ends: 2026)
- Gabe Quinto (Mayor Pro Tem, Term Ends: 2026)
- Email: gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Lisa Motoyama (Council Member, Term Ends: 2028)
- Rebecca Saltzman (Council Member, Term Ends: 2028)
- William Ktsanes (Council Member, Term Ends: 2028)
- Email: wktsanes@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
For more information, visit the El Cerrito City Council webpage.
Hashtags
- #ElCerrito
- #Transparency
- #Accountability
- #OpenGov
- #PublicFinance
- #CommunityEngagement
- #GovernmentTransparency
- #FiscalResponsibility
- #CivicParticipation
- #LocalGovernment
Note: The contact information provided is based on the latest available data as of 2025. Please refer to the official El Cerrito City Council website for the most current information.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
wake up ! you don’t need financial analysis for the library proposal the bond buyers (lenders) don’t care about the credit of the City of El Cerrito they don’t care about the use of funds or the existence of the project while their only concern is collection and remittance of taxpayer reciepts it is irrelevant – all the analysis is on the taxpayer base (see Official Statement) the $21,000,000 proposed bond issue is a Special Tax & Assessment it is NOT INDEBTEDNESS it is a tax on property taxpayers secured property tax bill and secured by your home no lien on the library condominium (that’s how the City ownership will be structured – as a divided interest between the housing developer and the City in 2 condominiums) anybody who wants to be in a condo association with a housing developer IS ASKING FOR TROUBLE what happens when there is an issue with the 200 apartments above the library? Fire? Plumbing? Security? Access? no responsibility for the City or any other government jurisdiction to make payments on the bonds your property tax assessment is the ONLY source of repayment for the bonds its free money for El Cerrito and the housing Co Developer please read carefully the Official Statement attached for the El Cerrito Public Finance Authority (bond issuer) for the Swim Center Special Tax & Assessment how many times do I have to say this? you are not doing a very good job of communicating what I have been telling you
On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 7:02â¯AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
LikeLike