The City of El Cerrito has released its official Notice of Intention regarding a proposed library tax measure. At first glance, it reads like a standard statement of purpose. But when you look closer, several key discrepancies emerge—raising questions about transparency, scope, and what residents are truly being asked to support.
The Notice Frames the Tax as a Library Investment, but It’s Actually Broadly Written
The language in the notice repeatedly frames the tax as funding a “new library” and “expanded library services.” However, the measure’s text is not limited to library construction. It allows revenue to be used for a broad array of purposes—including “supporting library services” and “related infrastructure improvements”—without specifying priority or allocation amounts. This leaves open the possibility that significant portions of the revenue could be diverted to other projects that have nothing to do with a new facilityLibrary Notice – Intent.
The City Emphasizes ‘Intent,’ but Provides No Binding Guarantees
The title of the notice itself—“Notice of Intention”—is telling. This is not a legally binding commitment. Nowhere in the measure does the city commit to actually building a new library at the Plaza site, retrofitting the current building, or presenting costed alternatives to the public before collecting the tax. Voter approval would give the city broad taxing authority without a specific deliverable attached.
In other words: the intent can change after the tax passes, and voters would have little recourse to hold the city to its early promises.
Critical Details Are Missing
For a measure that would authorize a long-term tax, the Notice is remarkably silent on key details:
- Location: The notice doesn’t commit to a specific library site.
- Costs: No construction cost estimate or lifecycle cost analysis is provided.
- Timeline: There’s no timeline for planning, design, or construction.
- Parking & Accessibility: There’s no mention of transportation, parking, or access—key concerns for residents, especially seniors and those living in the hills.
This absence of detail is not accidental; it allows maximum flexibility for the City but leaves voters in the dark.
The Language Suggests an Open-Ended Revenue Source
The measure’s structure suggests that the City could collect the tax for years before any new library is built—if one is ever built at all. By not tying the tax to specific milestones or a bond issuance, the City preserves the ability to use the revenue as a de facto general fund supplement under the banner of “library services.”
Pattern of Vagueness
This is not an isolated instance. El Cerrito has a history of vague ballot measures, followed by post-election pivots that diverge from the original narrative. This pattern erodes public trust. A transparent measure would include specific cost estimates, location options, and guarantees that tax proceeds will be restricted and audited for their intended purpose.
📌 Fact Box: El Cerrito’s Library Tax — Stated Intent vs. Actual Authority
| What the City Says | What the Measure Actually Allows |
|---|---|
| “The tax will fund a new library.” | The measure does not legally commit the City to building a library at any specific site—or to building one at all. |
| “Funds will support library services.” | The language authorizes broad use of funds for “related infrastructure” and “library services,” leaving room for spending on other projects. |
| “This is about the Plaza Library project.” | The Notice does not specify location, costs, size, parking, or timeline. These decisions could be made after the tax is approved. |
| “The City intends to build a modern facility.” | “Intent” is not a binding obligation. The City can change course after voters approve the tax. |
| “It’s a library tax.” | Without strict earmarks, the revenue can function as a flexible funding source, potentially supplementing the general fund over time. |
Why This Matters
Residents are being asked to approve a major, long-term financial commitment based on aspirational language, not concrete plans. The City’s “intent” may sound good on paper, but intent is not a contract. Before signing off on new taxes, voters deserve:
- Specific location and cost details
- Clear allocation of funds with legal restrictions
- A defined timeline with accountability measures
- Transparency about alternatives and trade-offs
Until the City provides this level of clarity, residents should decline to sign any petitions and vote no on any tax measures tied to vague promises. It’s time for El Cerrito leadership to bring forward a fully developed, transparent plan—not another open-ended tax based on shifting intentions.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 