El Cerrito’s Budget Priorities: More Spending, Fewer Services, and Forgotten Promises

El Cerrito is once again on a path toward increased spending—despite acknowledging numerous infrastructure needs that remain unfunded. Instead of addressing those basics, city leadership is setting the stage for higher expenditures in other areas, including potential raises for management. The justification? They’ve “sacrificed” enough- yeah right!

Yet, residents are still waiting for real results from our own past sacrifices. Service delivery remains shaky, and the one budget cut that stuck—closing the senior center—is now more than five years old. Ironically, that cut came after residents were told to support the Real Property Transfer Tax in 2018 to help fund the senior center. The measure passed and brought in far more revenue than anticipated. What did seniors get in return? A shuttered center and excuses.

Now, the City has redefined priorities:

The library is the top building priority. The public safety building is second. The senior center? Off the list entirely.

City staff have reframed the existing community center as the “senior center,” claiming the former was a niche need not worthy of major investment. For a city with a rapidly aging population, this kind of minimization is alarming.

And there’s more on the horizon. At the state level, firefighter unions are lobbying to increase pension benefits for new employees—arguing that the current plan is not generous enough. Former Governor Jerry Brown, who once led the charge for modest pension reform, has warned that efforts like these could further strain local and state budgets. Read more

Meanwhile, El Cerrito has no comprehensive plan to fund a swim center overhaul, a new fire truck, or even basic fire safety equipment. But it does have a plan to spend more—rewarding insiders with raises while deferring the infrastructure, safety, and senior needs that affect residents every day.

Nothing will change unless the community demands it.

Vote “No” on the swimming pool proposal (June 2026). Elect new City Council members who will prioritize residents, not bureaucratic waste and bloat (November 2026).

Seniors in particular have the power to tip the scales—but only if they vote for candidates who truly represent their needs. So far, too many have supported leaders who’ve repeatedly pushed them to the margins.

Until the public steps in, El Cerrito will continue handing out extra credit while flunking basic governance.