A concerned neighbor created this Library Tax Comparison after learning that the El Cerrito Library Tax language was modeled on San Rafael’s Measure P.
They decided to put the two initiatives side by side.
What they found is sobering.
Seven critical differences — and in every case, El Cerrito residents get the worse deal.
• Higher base tax
• Council can increase it annually without a public vote
• Dual indexing tied to the higher of two growth measures
• An additional 15% “bonus” collection allowed
• Narrow, difficult senior exemption
• No legally fixed location
• No dedicated parking
By contrast, San Rafael’s measure fixed the rate, required voter approval for increases, had no automatic indexing, no 15% add-on, an easy senior exemption, a legally tied location, and a traditional parking strategy.
Each provision alone raises concerns.
Together, they compound the long-term cost and reduce voter control.
If the language was truly based on San Rafael’s initiative, the question isn’t whether residents support libraries.
The question is why El Cerrito residents were given a structurally more expensive, less constrained version.
Before voting, residents deserve to understand exactly what they’re being asked to approve.
Concerned neighbors deserve to make their own decisions about taxation — not have their tax authority compounded.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
thank you for your excellent reporting on the TOD library parcel tax
but please take note
the City has no “library operating budget”
the City has no library program or operations responsibility for the CCC El Cerrito branch library
the City only responsibility for the “library operations” is to provide a building for the County library to operate and maintain that facility – full stop
the City can choose to pay the County for extra hours of library operations
every City in CCC gets 40 hours of library operations paid for by CCC residents secured property taxes – full stop
again – no City resources are budgeted for the CCC library branch other than extra hours the City voluntarily pays capped at 12 hours maximum accepted by the County for any branch library
On Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 3:26 PM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
LikeLike
We understand that, sir. We’re just trying not to overcomplicate the message.
LikeLike
well I don’t know what is simpler than the simple fact that EC HAS NO LIBRARY OPERATIONS
ask the City for their library operating budget
it has none!
it does however have a budget for maintenance for the library building on Stockton
how much is that?
none because the City doesn’t want the library on Stockton
the City wants 20,000 sq ft of space at the EC Plaza BART station to complete the City’s “downtown” real estate development
the TOD affordable apartment building at the C West location needs the taxpayers free money to make it a winner for Related Companies and incentive to build the building to house a library
Related is getting a partner in the City contributing $37,000,000 in cash equity for the construction and the City’s fee ownership in the improvements (1st floor)
WordPress.com / Gravatar.com credentials can be used.
On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 8:45 AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
LikeLiked by 1 person