The upcoming El Cerrito City Council meeting has yet another significant financial issue—the cost overruns for the Richmond Street project—has been tucked away on the consent calendar. Like the $400,000 del Norte overrun, this placement is troubling but, unfortunately, not surprising.
Placing important financial matters on the consent calendar has become a tradition in El Cerrito. You may recall that in 2019, the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR, now known as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report or ACFR) was also placed on the consent calendar, minimizing public discussion of the city’s financial state. This pattern of avoiding open debate on key fiscal decisions raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
What Does This Mean for the Budget?
At the midyear budget adjustment, it was noted that the deficit for FY 2025 had increased by $1 million—a concerning development for a city that has struggled with financial stability. Now, without much explanation, there is a new expenditure. How will these overruns affect the general fund? There’s no clear statement in the meeting packet addressing this, and given that much of the Richmond Street project remains unfinished, what are the projections for future additional cost overruns?
This lack of fiscal clarity is especially worrisome when the city is already under financial strain. Without a full, transparent discussion, residents are left in the dark about how their tax dollars are being spent.
Bike Lanes vs. Infrastructure Neglect: What’s the Plan?
One of the city’s more perplexing decisions is the installation of a bike lane on a major road for cars while allowing the Ohlone Greenway—one of the city’s most critical bike and pedestrian routes—to deteriorate. If the city is prioritizing alternative transportation, why isn’t it maintaining its existing infrastructure? Additionally, the new bike lane will only cover a few blocks, leading many to question the purpose and overall strategy behind this decision.
Does El Cerrito have a comprehensive plan for road maintenance and improvements? Even with a dedicated tax for street repairs, the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) continues to decline every year. If the city is collecting money specifically for roads, where is it going? Are there clear goals in place to reverse the deterioration, or are we just watching our streets crumble year after year?
Residents deserve answers. The city must explain:
- The full financial impact of the Richmond Street cost overruns and how it will affect the budget.
- A long-term strategy for infrastructure improvements, including streets, bike lanes, and pedestrian pathways.
- Why critical financial matters are buried in the consent calendar rather than given the full discussion they warrant.
El Cerrito taxpayers have the right to know where their money is going. It’s time for the City Council to prioritize fiscal responsibility and transparency, not just hide inconvenient financial realities from the public.
What do you think? Should the city be more transparent about its spending? Let us know in the comments
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 