El Cerrito residents are grappling with an unnecessary financial burden: a $35 permit fee for residents with alarm systems charged by the police department. While we understand the need for fees to cover false alarms, it’s troubling that our tax dollars aren’t covering the cost of police responses to actual break-ins. This fee is yetContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Police Alarm Permit Fee: Unpacking High Costs Amid High Crime Rates”
Author Archives: eccrg
Was Anyone Present During the City Manager’s June 27th Presentation?
El Cerrito On June 27th, the City Manager presented at Juku Cafe, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The event was not widely publicized and should have been advertised on EC social media channels well ahead of the event. We also have concerns about the accuracy of some of the statements made during this event,Continue reading “Was Anyone Present During the City Manager’s June 27th Presentation?”
Celebrating Independence and Responsible Governance this 4th of July
As we gather with family and friends to celebrate the 4th of July, the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government wishes everyone a joyful and safe Independence Day! This holiday is a time to reflect on the values that make our nation strong: freedom, democracy, and community. In El Cerrito, we cherish these values byContinue reading “Celebrating Independence and Responsible Governance this 4th of July”
The Plaza Library Project: Time to Consider Your Options
The City of El Cerrito has wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars on the Plaza project. Moreover, the city lost out on grant money, resulting in a few million dollars lost. The higher interest rate environment means the city would lose millions more in interest payments. In fiscal year 2024, the city used reserves outContinue reading “The Plaza Library Project: Time to Consider Your Options”
Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation
A public information request for FAB member attendance sent to the City Clerk was met with the response, “check the website,” despite the fact that the website records are incomplete. This is how El Cerrito tax dollars are being utilized! In the heart of El Cerrito, a troubling pattern has emerged that calls into questionContinue reading “Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation”
Transparency in El Cerrito: The Truth Behind the Supplemental Property Tax
The City of El Cerrito’s recent decision to invest $250,000 in a housing developer for a speculative real estate development raises significant concerns, particularly when examined in the context of the Supplemental Property Tax. This tax, intended to fund “people and programs” such as after-school care and other city-sponsored activities, appears to be diverted toContinue reading “Transparency in El Cerrito: The Truth Behind the Supplemental Property Tax”
Blog Post: Unmasking the True Costs of El Cerrito’s New Library Proposal
In recent months, the City of El Cerrito has faced substantial public backlash over its decision to cut funding for the library. Despite the residents’ strong desire for this essential community resource, these budget cuts were implemented, leading to widespread discontent. Now, the City has proposed a new funding mechanism: a perpetual $300 annual propertyContinue reading “Blog Post: Unmasking the True Costs of El Cerrito’s New Library Proposal”
The Lack of Diversity in El Cerrito City Leadership: A Different View
The author of this blog is a heterosexual person of mixed race with a black mother, a white father, and a Jewish stepfather. Their father died when they were an infant. Moving to El Cerrito in 2022, the author was stunned by how “white” and presumably heterosexual the city leadership is, particularly given the diversityContinue reading “The Lack of Diversity in El Cerrito City Leadership: A Different View”
The Ongoing Saga of El Cerrito’s Wikipedia Page: Transparency vs. Censorship
A few months ago, keen-eyed residents noticed a significant update to the El Cerrito Wikipedia page. The addition was a statement detailing the findings of the State Auditor’s Report on El Cerrito’s precarious financial situation. This inclusion aimed to provide transparency regarding the city’s fiscal management issues, including reliance on reserves, massive pension liabilities, andContinue reading “The Ongoing Saga of El Cerrito’s Wikipedia Page: Transparency vs. Censorship”
El Cerrito Budget and Library Update
Management Presents Hyper-Expensive Library Proposal, Claims (without any evidence) It Will Save Money The June 11th library proposal includes a highly contentious and costly plan for a new library, which management claims will save money in the long run. However, the financial implications and the logic behind these claims have raised significant concerns among residents.Continue reading “El Cerrito Budget and Library Update”
El Cerrito Council Passes Budget with No Public Input
The El Cerrito City Council passed its budget on a 5-0 vote, a decision made by each member in advance of the meeting. They could have saved us all a lot of time because the questions they asked were sophomoric except for the question about covering the $250,000 revenue shortfall so quickly. A council memberContinue reading “El Cerrito Council Passes Budget with No Public Input”
Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council
Rebecca Saltzman has decided not to seek re-election to the BART Board, instead filing to run for the El Cerrito City Council. This move raises eyebrows, as some might argue she’s jumping from one challenging situation to another. After all, Saltzman played a role in steering BART towards its current financial cliff, and now she’sContinue reading “Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council”
Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns
Today is a significant day for our city as the budget deliberations come to a head. Over the past months, citizens have followed the budget process diligently, yet there remains a sense of uncertainty about the council’s overarching goals and priorities. As we dive into the discussions, several pressing questions need clear answers from ourContinue reading “Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns”
Addressing High Crime Rates and Rising Pension Costs in El Cerrito
As the City Manager presents yet another budget that pushes El Cerrito closer to insolvency, serious concerns about the city’s fiscal health persist. Six years ago, the State Auditor flagged issues related to ongoing overspending, but the City has yet to curb its excessive expenditures. Emergency reserves, intended for natural disasters or pandemics, may soonContinue reading “Addressing High Crime Rates and Rising Pension Costs in El Cerrito”
The Challenges of Building a High-Performing Department in a Toxic Environment
Creating a high-performing department in a toxic department presents numerous challenges, especially when serious issues like sexual harassment remain unaddressed. The difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified officers in such a climate are compounded by a culture that fails to protect its employees. Unfortunately, this is the reality in El Cerrito, where rising crime ratesContinue reading “The Challenges of Building a High-Performing Department in a Toxic Environment”
Reflecting on El Cerrito’s Budget Predictions: A Community Perspective
As some council members conclude their terms, it’s important to revisit the city’s past budgets and see how well the predictions held up against reality. Let’s take a community-focused look back at our financial forecasts. FY 2021 Budget Predictions The FY 2021 budget, detailed on Page 36, Chart 2-3, projected small surpluses for the nextContinue reading “Reflecting on El Cerrito’s Budget Predictions: A Community Perspective”
A Timeline of Fiscal Turmoil: El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement from 2018 to 2024
Tuesday’s FY25/26 budget presentation of the preliminary budget by Claire Coleman marks a significant step forward. The extensive outreach efforts and increased transparency throughout the budgeting process are impressive and commendable, laying a strong foundation for informed decision-making and fiscal responsibility. Claire’s talent is evident, as she overshadowed the Finance Director (who hasn’t presented duringContinue reading “A Timeline of Fiscal Turmoil: El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement from 2018 to 2024”
El Cerrito’s Fiscal Future: Citizen Concerns and Council Considerations
A long-time El Cerrito resident attending Tuesday’s City Council Proposed Budget Hearing, shared some concerns. While not an expert in city government or fiscal policy, their interest was piqued when Measure B appeared on the ballot. Desperately desiring a new library, they were disappointed to vote against it after seeing how efficiently nearby cities managedContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fiscal Future: Citizen Concerns and Council Considerations”
Maximizing Efficiency and Savings – Evaluating Staffing and Span of Control in El Cerrito, California
Welcome to El Cerrito, California – a vibrant community nestled in the East Bay region, home to approximately 25,000 residents. As El Cerrito strives to provide services to its inhabitants, it’s essential to evaluate its operational structure to ensure optimal resource allocation. Recent observations suggest that El Cerrito’s management hierarchy may be disproportionately top-heavy comparedContinue reading “Maximizing Efficiency and Savings – Evaluating Staffing and Span of Control in El Cerrito, California”
El Cerrito Budget Update: Explosive Growth in Spending
The City of El Cerrito has released its FY 2025 budget document, providing a detailed look at the fiscal year 2024 financial data. A quick glance reveals a concerning trend: the city’s spending continues to outpace its revenue, leading to significant deficits. Notably absent from the budget is any mention of how the city plansContinue reading “El Cerrito Budget Update: Explosive Growth in Spending”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 