— But Where’s the Cost Analysis? And long-term Forecast
From a Concerned Citizen
At this year’s July 4 celebration in Cerrito Vista Park, the campaign to build a new El Cerrito library was out in full force — banners, booths, and volunteers circulating petitions for a proposed parcel tax to fund an inaccessible “trophy library” at El Cerrito Plaza. The campaign’s visibility was unmistakable. What’s missing? A credible cost analysis from the City or from campaign leader Greg Lyman.
This proposal isn’t just about a library. It’s about creating a long-term revenue stream — potentially up to $100 million over 30 years — with little clarity, oversight, or planning.
Lyman, who leads the campaign, says the group may collect more than 15% of El Cerrito’s registered voters’ signatures. But he hinted that they might withhold some in order to give the City Council discretion to delay the measure until the November 2026 ballot, rather than triggering a costly June election. This isn’t just strategic — it’s manipulative.
When asked about how the new library would cover its operating costs after 10 years, Lyman replied, “That’s a long way away.” Translation? There is no plan.
And therein lies the danger. Once these funds are collected, they go into the General Fund, where they can legally be used for anything — not just the library. City leaders will likely use familiar scare tactics: warn of cuts to police and fire services if voters don’t approve another tax to maintain services the original tax was supposed to support. We’ve seen it before — with 2018’s Measure V and 2024’s Measure G.
The truth is, this tax could easily become a slush fund to plug budget gaps, pay rising pension costs, or fund pet projects. The library is simply the cover.
And let’s be honest: the current plan is flawed. There’s no dedicated parking, it’s tied to a risky transit-oriented development, and it ignores the City-owned existing library site — a location that already has infrastructure and could accommodate a 12,000 sq. ft. modern library for the same cost or less.
There’s another problem the City may have overlooked: its senior citizen voting bloc. El Cerrito has a growing population of older residents, many of whom vote consistently — and they are paying attention. This proposal not only creates higher taxes for seniors on fixed incomes, it’s coupled with plans to eliminate parking in their neighborhoods. That’s not just poor planning. It’s dismissive.
El Cerrito residents must ask the hard questions:
- Why hasn’t the City provided a cost-benefit analysis?
- What happens if the housing project tied to the development fails?
- Why isn’t the existing site being considered?
- Will the funds be restricted to library use only — and for how long?
If we don’t get answers, the only responsible choice is to reject this tax.
The opposition to this irresponsible plan must come at the voting booth.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 