On March 2, 2021, NHA Advisors, one of the City of El Cerrito’s financial consultants, presented a critical financial update to the city council. The presentation highlighted the City’s projected $70.3 million Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) as of June 30, 2021. During this session, NHA pointed out that other cities had successfully issued pension obligationContinue reading “How El Cerrito Could Save Millions on Pension Payments”
Author Archives: eccrg
Why El Cerrito’s Taxpayer Value is in Question
As the new year begins, residents of El Cerrito may notice a stark contrast between their city’s operations and those of neighboring municipalities. While cities like San Pablo, Richmond, Albany, and Hercules are conducting city council meetings during the first full week of January, El Cerrito’s City Hall remains closed, with staff on a two-weekContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s Taxpayer Value is in Question”
El Cerrito Budget: Rising Costs, Fewer Services
Over the past decade, El Cerrito’s city budget has grown from $54.8 million in FY 2015-16 to $65.3 million in FY 2024-25—an increase of $10.5 million, or 19.1%. Despite this significant rise, residents have seen fewer services instead of the expanded programs or enhanced infrastructure one might expect from such a budgetary increase. The closureContinue reading “El Cerrito Budget: Rising Costs, Fewer Services”
City Services vs. Staffing: A Call for Efficiency
The city faces an undeniable challenge: its staffing levels and payroll far exceed what is necessary to deliver essential services. Basic responsibilities like street maintenance, park upkeep, and permitting are falling short, while the workforce and associated costs continue to grow unchecked. Adding to the frustration, public information requests are often delayed or denied, leavingContinue reading “City Services vs. Staffing: A Call for Efficiency”
Why El Cerrito’s High-Risk Removal Doesn’t Mean Financial Stability
The City of El Cerrito has recently announced its removal from the California State Auditor’s High-Risk Local Government Agency Audit Program. While this may sound like a victory, it’s important to understand what this actually means. The “high risk” designation applies to only the worst 3% of cities in California. Being removed from this listContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s High-Risk Removal Doesn’t Mean Financial Stability”
El Cerrito: The Case for Ethical Governance
Good governance is not just about following the rules—it’s about doing what’s right for the people you serve. In El Cerrito, recent actions by city leaders highlight a troubling pattern: decisions that may be technically permissible but lack a moral compass and integrity. These choices raise critical questions about whether city leaders put the communityContinue reading “El Cerrito: The Case for Ethical Governance”
Moving Beyond Temporary Fixes: El Cerrito’s Path to Stability
El Cerrito’s financial journey over the past two decades highlights a persistent pattern of fiscal instability and difficult decision-making. While the city recently managed to remove itself from the State Auditor’s High-Risk Cities List, over 450 cities in California are still more well-run, underscoring the ongoing challenges the city faces. From Stability to Decline: TheContinue reading “Moving Beyond Temporary Fixes: El Cerrito’s Path to Stability”
El Cerrito Holiday Closure: A City on Pause, But Not Its Paychecks
This holiday season, El Cerrito residents will find city offices closed from Friday, December 20, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. While City Hall resumes regular business hours on Monday, January 6, 2025, the question remains: Why does a small city like El Cerrito shut down entirely for two weeks, leaving no coverage for publicContinue reading “El Cerrito Holiday Closure: A City on Pause, But Not Its Paychecks”
The Future of El Cerrito: Are We Heading in the Right Direction?
The El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) is committed to responsible governance where projects and policies reflect the best interests of all residents. A recent comment on our blog raises some serious concerns about the future of El Cerrito—specifically the Downtown project and its potential impacts on quality of life, property values, and communityContinue reading “The Future of El Cerrito: Are We Heading in the Right Direction?”
Holiday Message
As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being an engaged and thoughtful part of our community. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another tradition—or simply take this time to reflect and recharge—we wish you joy, peace, and the warmth of connection. The holiday seasonContinue reading “Holiday Message”
Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions
El Cerrito’s progress in funding, infrastructure, and financial stability is worth recognizing. But a city’s success is more than a a list of checks paid or a groundbreaking ceremony—it’s the health of its workplace culture and the trust employees have in their leadership. Without addressing systemic issues, the foundation of these advancements remains fragile. TheContinue reading “Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions”
El Cerrito Plaza Station: Addressing Parking Challenges with Equity
The Plaza Station in El Cerrito is at the heart of some of the city’s most pressing parking challenges. As transit-oriented development (TOD) plans and other urban projects take shape, the City Council faces the difficult task of balancing modernization with the needs of all residents. Ensuring that solutions are equitable, practical, and sustainable willContinue reading “El Cerrito Plaza Station: Addressing Parking Challenges with Equity”
What Did Management and Council Really Do?
They often claim they “worked hard to turn things around,” but here’s what actually happened: • Accepted $6.1 million in ARPA funds • Accepted $4 million+ per year in RPTT • Increased property taxes after revaluation • Benefited from increased sales tax revenue after court decisions ➡️ Over $12 million per year in extra revenues.Continue reading “What Did Management and Council Really Do?”
El Cerrito Leadership: Focus on True Community Progress
Leadership is about setting goals, taking responsibility, and achieving meaningful results. But sometimes, leaders get caught up in celebrating small successes rather at the cost of focusing on the larger challenges ahead. This seems to be the case in El Cerrito, where recent social media posts suggest a disconnect between modest progress and the hardContinue reading “El Cerrito Leadership: Focus on True Community Progress”
El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line
Today marks a significant moment for the City of El Cerrito. The California State Auditor has officially removed our city from its “High Risk” designation, a status reserved for the bottom 5% of cities with severe financial vulnerabilities. This milestone reflects the city’s progress in achieving fiscal stability, improving budget reporting, and implementing some soundContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line”
Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings
Public participation is a cornerstone of local government, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, recent practices in El Cerrito City Council meetings raise questions about how well the city’s processes align with its ordinances and the principles of open governance. Consent Calendar and Public Input One key issue lies with the Consent Calendar. This section ofContinue reading “Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings”
El Cerrito Leadership: The Risks of Selective Transparency
In her recent State of El Cerrito address, Mayor Tessa Rudnick touted the city’s “large fund balance” as a sign of strong fiscal management. However, this narrative failed to acknowledge a critical detail: most of this fund balance is restricted, earmarked for specific uses, and unavailable to address broader community needs. Moreover, the city hasContinue reading “El Cerrito Leadership: The Risks of Selective Transparency”
El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation
El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services relative to its population and geographic size. The California State Auditor previously recommended that El Cerrito conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate staffing levels for each classification. However, nearly four years later, the city has disregarded thisContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation”
El Cerrito’s Continued Reliance on Consultants: A Costly and Unsustainable Cycle
The City of El Cerrito’s latest request for proposals (RFP) from consulting firms specializing in economic development, affordable housing, and financial strategies might seem like a step toward progress. However, this pattern raises pressing concerns about sustainability, financial recovery, and the long-term impact on the city’s workforce. The recurring reliance on consultants is not justContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Continued Reliance on Consultants: A Costly and Unsustainable Cycle”
Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus
El Cerrito’s Mayor will deliver her final State of the City Address on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the community. As she concludes her term without seeking reelection, this address provides a unique opportunity for an honest and thorough evaluation of the city’s current condition and its path forward. The MayorContinue reading “Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 