What El Cerrito Isn’t Telling You

As residents learn more about El Cerrito’s plan to relocate its public library, troubling patterns continue to emerge—ones that echo a long history of misleading ballot language, murky financial practices, and vague development promises with no realistic funding plan. Here are three major concerns residents should understand:

The Parcel Tax “Exemption” Is Not What It Seems

The Citizen Initiative misleadingly claims that seniors will be “exempt” from the proposed parcel tax. That’s simply not true. There is no exemption that removes the tax from the secured property tax roll. The model follows the same structure as Measure H, which continues to generate $600,000 in annual tax revenue even though the associated $4.7 million bond was retired in 2009.

Instead of a true exemption, the City offers a limited “assistance” program. Seniors must first pay the tax, then apply for reimbursement—each year. The application requires submission of a Social Security benefit letter and proof that the applicant earns less than $2,300 per month (250% of the 2012 federal poverty line). Many seniors won’t qualify, and those who do face burdensome documentation and red tape. As of now, the City hasn’t even created an application form, making it clear that providing relief to vulnerable residents isn’t a priority.

The City Has No Plan for the Current Library Site

If the library is relocated to the Transit-Oriented Development site, the City has no concrete plan or allocated funding to repurpose the existing building or property. In reality, the City will likely abandon the site, then later cite legal obligations to sell it. Under regulations governing unused government property, vacant facilities often must be disposed of, with proceeds flowing into the General Fund—not back into community use or library services.

This approach represents a loss of a valuable civic asset. The current location is within walking distance of Fairmont Elementary, provides ample parking, and could be redeveloped into a modern 12,000 square foot library for the same construction cost per square foot as the TOD proposal—without the complications of housing density, limited access, and long-term risk.

The City Still Collects a Parcel Tax for a Bond That Was Paid Off in 2009

Even though Measure H bonds were retired over a decade ago, the City continues to collect $600,000 annually through the parcel tax. These funds are no longer used for debt service, but instead are redirected toward other purposes like maintaining the City pool—an allowable use under Measure A.

Meanwhile, the City has not fulfilled its responsibility to create or administer the senior assistance program it promised. The Municipal Financing Authority Trustee is not involved; this duty falls squarely on the City, which has quietly ignored its obligation while continuing to collect funds from seniors who may legally qualify for reimbursement but have no way to apply.

A Call for Transparency and Civic Integrity

This isn’t just about a library—it’s about public trust. El Cerrito must stop using misleading language to push initiatives that benefit development agendas more than residents. Property owners should not be locked into permanent taxes for temporary projects. Seniors shouldn’t be told they’re “exempt” from a tax they must first pay and then fight to recover. And the City must be honest about its lack of plans and financial resources when abandoning a civic property.

Let’s stop the shell game. Let’s invest in a purpose-built, stand-alone library on land we already own—keeping public assets in public hands, and putting community benefit first.