El Cerrito’s Conflict of Interest in City Manager Expenses

Posted byeccrgPosted inState Audit

Shame on the Mayor for shirking their responsibilities

In municipal government, transparency and accountability start with something simple: who approves the expenses of the top executive. In nearly every California city, that responsibility rests squarely with the Mayor or City Council, not a subordinate employee. It’s a small but essential safeguard that ensures no one approves their own boss’s reimbursements or travel costs.

Recently, we conducted interviews with 10 California cities similar in size and structure to El Cerrito. Each confirmed the same policy:

The City Manager’s expense account must be reviewed and signed off by the Mayor or a designated member of the City Council.

This approach is standard across municipalities because it removes any appearance of conflict and preserves the integrity of financial oversight.

Yet in El Cerrito, the Assistant City Manager is reportedly the one who signs off on the City Manager’s expense reports. That’s a serious conflict of interest. Subordinates should never be responsible for approving expenses incurred by their supervisor — particularly when those expenses involve public funds.

Even more concerning is that Mayor Carolyn Wysinger has allowed this practice to continue. The responsibility for oversight of the City Manager lies with the Mayor and the City Council — not with staff. By failing to enforce basic accountability, the Mayor is shirking one of her most fundamental duties: ensuring the proper use of taxpayer dollars.

The issue isn’t about personalities or titles. It’s about checks and balances. A city that prides itself on fiscal responsibility should ensure that every transaction, from small reimbursements to large purchases, follows best practices for internal control.

When senior leaders can approve each other’s spending — or worse, their own — public confidence erodes. The correction is simple:

  • City Council must adopt a clear policy requiring that the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem review and approve the City Manager’s expenses.
  • The Finance Department can verify documentation but should never authorize payment.

El Cerrito deserves the same level of accountability practiced by its peers. Shame on the Mayor for failing to uphold it.

I Fact Box: How Other Cities Handle It

CityPopulationWho Approves City Manager Expenses
Albany20,000Mayor
Emeryville13,000Mayor
San Pablo32,000Mayor or City Council Subcommittee
Lafayette26,000Mayor
Orinda20,000Mayor
Piedmont12,000Mayor
San Carlos31,000Mayor
Clayton12,000Mayor
Los Altos Hills25,000Mayor or Council Designee
Belmont28,000Mayor

In each of these cities, the City Manager’s expenses are reviewed by the Mayor or Council — not a subordinate.

Take Action

El Cerrito residents deserve the same accountability standards as their neighboring cities.
If you agree that the City Council — not staff — should review the City Manager’s expenses, contact your elected officials and ask them to adopt a transparent, conflict-free policy.

📧 Contact the El Cerrito City Council:

In municipal government, transparency and accountability start with something simple: who approves the expenses of the top executive. In most California cities, that responsibility rests squarely with the Mayor or City Council, not a subordinate employee. It’s a small but essential safeguard that ensures no one approves their own boss’s reimbursements or travel costs.

Recently, we conducted interviews with 10 California cities similar in size and structure to El Cerrito. Each confirmed the same policy:

The City Manager’s expense account must be reviewed and signed off by the Mayor or a designated member of the City Council.

This approach is standard practice across municipalities because it removes any appearance of conflict and preserves the integrity of financial oversight.

Yet in El Cerrito, the Assistant City Manager is reportedly the one who signs off on the City Manager’s expense reports. That’s a serious conflict of interest. Subordinates should never be responsible for approving expenses incurred by their supervisor — particularly when those expenses involve public funds.

The issue isn’t about personalities or titles. It’s about checks and balances. A city that prides itself on fiscal responsibility should ensure that every transaction, from small reimbursements to large purchases, follows best practices for internal control.

When senior leaders can approve each other’s spending — or worse, their own — public confidence erodes. The correction is simple:

  • City Council should adopt a clear policy stating that the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem reviews and approves the City Manager’s expenses.
  • The Finance Department can verify compliance and documentation but should not authorize payment.

El Cerrito deserves the same level of accountability practiced by its peers. This isn’t about politics — it’s about public trust.

Fact Box: How Other Cities Handle It

CityPopulationWho Approves City Manager Expenses
Albany20,000Mayor
Emeryville13,000Mayor
San Pablo32,000Mayor or City Council Subcommittee
Lafayette26,000Mayor
Orinda20,000Mayor
Piedmont12,000Mayor
San Carlos31,000Mayor
Clayton12,000Mayor
Los Altos Hills25,000Mayor or Council Designee
Belmont28,000Mayor

In each of these cities, the City Manager’s expenses are reviewed by the Mayor or Council — not a subordinate.

Take Action

El Cerrito residents deserve the same accountability standards as their neighboring cities.
If you agree that the City Council — not staff — should review the City Manager’s expenses, reach out to your elected officials and ask them to adopt a clear, transparent policy.

📧 Contact the El Cerrito City Council:

Leave a comment