The City of El Cerrito plans to dip into its reserves once again, this time pulling another $1.1 million from what it claims is a “strong” reserve fund. What they don’t say is this action reduces unrestricted reserves from $12.4 million to $11.3 million The repeated use of reserves is the exact same practice that led to going concern letters, the designation of high-risk and the BBB- bond rating.
While city officials tout their financial resilience, their actions tell a different story—one of continual withdrawals that leave the city unable to invest in key community needs like a senior center, an upgraded library, or top-tier public services.
Meanwhile, the city seems to have no trouble finding money for one-off projects. Take, for example, the acquisition of the Assemblies of God Church property on San Pablo Avenue in January 2024. The city paid $1.5 million for the property, adding another $60,000 in commissions, and waived all contingencies in the process. This purchase has sparked concern among residents about El Cerrito’s financial priorities, particularly given its long history of fiscal instability.
For years, the city has struggled to maintain balanced budgets, consistently relying on reserves, tax increases, and temporary fixes to stay afloat. In 2020, El Cerrito was on the brink of insolvency, and while leaders point to improvements since then, the reliance on reserve funds raises questions about whether the city is truly on solid financial footing or simply delaying an inevitable reckoning.
Community members are right to ask: If the city has a strong reserve fund, why does it keep draining it? Why can’t it fully fund essential community projects? And why does it prioritize costly property acquisitions over services that directly improve residents’ quality of life?
Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about having a reserve fund—it’s about managing it wisely. Without a real plan to restore financial stability, El Cerrito risks depleting its reserves to the point where it will have no cushion left for actual emergencies. Residents deserve a city government that makes strategic, transparent decisions, not one that drains its savings while leaving key community needs unmet.
Contact Your City Council Members
If you have concerns or questions about the city’s financial decisions, consider reaching out to your City Council members:
• Mayor Carolyn Wysinger
Email: cwysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Term Ends: 2026
• Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto
Email: gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Term Ends: 2026
• Councilmember Lisa Motoyama
Email: lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Term Ends: 2028
• Councilmember Rebecca Saltzman
Email: rsaltzman@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Term Ends: 2028
• Councilmember William Ktsanes
Email: wktsanes@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Term Ends: 2028
Engaging with your elected officials is a vital step toward ensuring that the city’s financial practices align with the community’s needs and priorities.
As an aside………it’s noteworthy that Michael Coleman, a leading expert on California local government finance and the principal fiscal policy advisor to the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) and the League of California Cities for over twenty-five years, is the father of one of El Cerrito’s key budget team members. Recently, the CSMFO awarded a budget award to the City of El Cerrito, recognizing its efforts in financial transparency and budgeting.
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El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 