Thank you to the neighbors and community members who continue raising essential questions about how our city spends taxpayer money. It’s not just about one issue—it’s about a decades-long pattern of financial decisions that don’t align with the promises made to voters.
Remember Measure D?
In 2008, El Cerrito voters approved a 30-year bond (Measure D) to resurface city streets. The measure passed with public support because we were told our roads desperately needed repair. But after the measure passed, the 2008 economic crash stalled everything—until federal infrastructure funds arrived through the Obama administration’s stimulus package.
You may remember the bright green signs between 2009–2011 that said:
“These roadway repairs paid for by the Obama admin Congressional appropriation.”
So what happened to the bond money we’ve been paying on every property tax bill since 2008—and will continue to pay through 2038?
It didn’t go to road repairs. That work was federally funded. The bond money was redirected to cover city salaries and operating expenses. Not the purpose promised to voters.
The Same Pattern, Again and Again
In 2018, residents were told we needed Measure V, a new real property transfer tax, to fund essential services. The tax passed and generated millions, yet services were cut. The senior center was permanently closed. El Cerrito remains the only city in the region without one.
Then came Measure G in 2024—pitched as a public safety measure. We were told the tax would ensure funding for critical needs like a new fire engine. The tax passed. The fire engine never came.
Now, It’s the Library
We all appreciate the value of a library. But the current proposal is financially reckless. Here’s what the fine print says:
- Operating costs are only covered for 10 years.
- The tax never ends – unless the voters decide to put it on the ballot. No tax has ever been repealed by the voters, so it’s essentially a “forever” tax.
- After that, taxpayers are on the hook for over $1 million annually.
- The city already projects deficits for the next 10 years.
- At the June 2025 council budget meeting, city leaders said they couldn’t even fund a required EMS safety device—let alone a new library with a bigger staff and higher overhead.
So how do they plan to pay for it long-term? More taxes. And more broken promises.
Fool Me Once…Twice…..But Not This Time
There’s a pattern in El Cerrito:
- Promise a specific outcome.
- Pass a tax or bond.
- Redirect the money elsewhere.
- Come back to voters with a new ask.
It’s not sustainable. It’s not transparent. And it’s not fair.
What You Can Do
El Cerrito residents deserve a city government that honors its commitments. We deserve road repairs when we’re taxed for road repairs. We deserve a senior center, functioning fire equipment, and honest budgeting—not expensive PR campaigns to push new taxes.
Let’s stop the cycle.
🔗 https://keepelcerritosafe.com
Please:
- Do NOT sign the library tax petition.
- Do NOT vote for another empty promise.
- Demand accountability.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 