In 2008, El Cerrito voters passed Measure A, a ballot initiative that promised to fix potholes, repave streets, improve safety, and make our roads accessible for all. The measure authorized the city to incur debt—repaid with a dedicated half-cent sales tax—to jumpstart street repairs. But the potholes and uneven pavement remain. And it’s insufficient to warn people, because warnings don’t remove the hazard instead fewer people feel safe there.
Fast forward to today: we’re still paying for those bonds. In 2025 alone, El Cerrito is scheduled to pay $702,500 in principal and interest.
City of El Cerrito Debt Report
Measure A was supposed to be a turning point. The city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI)—a rating from 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent)—rose from an average of 52 in 2007 to 85 in 2010, exceeding the original goal of 70 by 2012.
Street Paving Program Overview
But that momentum didn’t last.
• 2012 deferred maintenance: $500,000
• 2020 report: $10.15 million
• 2023 report: $14.8 million
• 2027 projection: $17.4 million
Meanwhile, the city’s goal is to raise every street segment’s PCI rating to 70, but about half of El Cerrito’s street segments still fall below that mark.
We see the orange markings on the Greenway. But residents aren’t asking for markers—they’re asking for meaningful repairs. Is there a plan to fix the entire Greenway, or are we expected to settle for surface-level optics again?
It’s time for El Cerrito to demand more than box-checking from its leadership. Karen Pinkos’s tenure highlights the pitfalls of performative governance and serves as a reminder of the importance of holding public officials accountable.
Residents are encouraged to share their concerns with City Council:
• Mayor Carolyn Wysinger – cwysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto – gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember Lisa Motoyama – lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember Rebecca Saltzman – rsaltzman@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• Councilmember William Ktsanes – wktsanes@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
• City Clerk – cityclerk@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Let’s move beyond talking points and push for accountability, transparency, and real results. The streets—and the residents who drive, walk, and bike them—deserve better.
#ElCerrito #TransparencyMatters #AccountabilityNow #CityLeadership #PublicTrust
#CommunityEngagement #FiscalResponsibility #GovernmentTransparency
#ElCerritoBudget #PublicInputMatters
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 