El Cerrito’s Tax Dilemma: A Call for Accountability and Transparency El Cerrito boasts one of the most robust tax bases in California, yet there’s an ongoing push for even higher taxation. Alongside this, questions arise about the city’s responsible use of the previously approved taxes. Sales Tax in El CerritoAs of October 2023, El Cerrito’sContinue reading “More taxes to cover mismanagement – a fool’s errand.”
Author Archives: eccrg
El Cerrito Speaks: A Call to Action for Our City Council
Carol Bartz, who became the CEO of Yahoo in 2009, stirred controversy by warning her staff against leaking company secrets to f-king Mars suggesting she would take extreme measures against any leakers. The Board said Nothing. However, after overseeing three challenging years with minimal growth at Yahoo, she stepped down in 2011. In 2013, JimContinue reading “El Cerrito Speaks: A Call to Action for Our City Council”
El Cerrito Wants to Charge a $300 / year Forever Tax
While El Cerrito’s population may be relatively small at 25,000, the city is ambitiously proposing a $21 million library project, which translates to an investment of $840 per resident towards its construction. This ongoing tax of around $300 per homeowner will sustain the library’s operations long after its completion. The city commissioned surveys among ElContinue reading “El Cerrito Wants to Charge a $300 / year Forever Tax”
Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito
Holly M. Charléty was appointed as City Clerk for the City of El Cerrito in January 2019. Ms. Charléty began her local government career as a Municipal Clerk in 2011 with the City of Sacramento, where her responsibilities included facilitation of election processes, regulatory filing compliance, and oversight of Board and Commission members. ——————— PromptContinue reading “Public Information Is Not Public in El Cerrito”
Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract
This Series:YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTIONis titled: Renewal of the City Manager’s Contract: A Call for Consideration During the Public Works presentation, the City Manager, while participating remotely, was heard saying, “Yvetteh, Shut the F word (profanity) up!” The City Manager’s recent conduct has raised significantContinue reading “Not a Good Idea to Renew the City Manager’s Contract”
Hostile Work Environment
This is not Theater – It is currently happening in El Cerrito. This is why this episode is titled: You cannot expect those who created the mess to fix it: Hostile Work Environment In California, a hostile work environment is created when offensive or discriminatory conduct present in the workplace restricts an employee’s ability toContinue reading “Hostile Work Environment”
Overtaxed and Underperforming
El Cerrito recently distributed a mailer seeking support for an upcoming tax increase proposal while emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency. However, examining the City Manager’s track record in these areas is crucial before embracing the rhetoric. One concerning instance is the city’s expenditure of half a million dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit,Continue reading “Overtaxed and Underperforming”
Business as Usual
While other cities placed a moratorium on travel and meals when revenues decreased during the pandemic, El Cerrito was business as usual, spending recklessly and mismanaging public funds. On April 30, 2022, the city manager spent $583.66 at San Rafael Joe’s – not an El Cerrito establishment. Apparently, there was a gathering for department heads,Continue reading “Business as Usual”
Performance Management
Series: Performance is only as good as the evidence indicates. Why does El Cerrito pay the City Manager over $235,000 plus generous benefits and perks just to have a pulse? Scott Hanin, who served as the City Manager at that time, announced his retirement, effective at the end of the calendar year 2018. In responseContinue reading “Performance Management”
Performance Management
Part ii Karen Pinkos is the City Manager for the City of El Cerrito. As the City Manager, Karen serves as the City’s chief executive officer and is responsible for the management of all affairs and departments operating within the City. Karen is committed to the mission, vision, and values of El Cerrito and worksContinue reading “Performance Management”
Performance Management
Series: Performance is only as good as the evidence indicates. ICYMI, working hard in and of itself is not a reflection of outstanding leadership. Performance measurement is essential to the success of any City Manager because executives do not get paid to tread water, or make excuses but to consistently deliver measurable results. PerformanceContinue reading “Performance Management”
El Cerrito Bond Rating Increase
In 2013, the rating was lowered from AA- to A+.In 2018, the rating was lowered from A+ to A-.In 2019 the rating was lowered from A- to BBB.In 2020 the rating was lowered from BBB to BBB-.In 2023, the rating was upgraded from BBB- to BBB. Let’s hope the overspending and depletion of nonrestricted reservesContinue reading “El Cerrito Bond Rating Increase”
The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled -The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds Last week, EECRG reported the lack of transparency in presenting the financials to the public. The October meeting agenda, released Thursday, continues silence on Financial Updates and the fiscal year endingContinue reading “The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds”
GFOA Best Practices Budget on Timely Financial Reports
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled – GFOA Best Practices Budget on Timely Financial Reports It’s easy to get excited about organizational changes when you’re the force behind them. Still, it’s typically disastrous for an outside entity to recommend a necessary change. There are sevenContinue reading “GFOA Best Practices Budget on Timely Financial Reports”
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget
Adopt rigorous policies for all operating funds aimed at achieving and maintaining a structurally balanced budget According to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), “Most state and local governments are subject to a requirement to pass a balanced budget. However, a budget that may fit the statutory definition of a “balanced budget” may not beContinue reading “YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget”
Waste and Abuse
This Series: YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION Part I Tyree Scott was a U.S. labor leader and civil rights activist deeply involved in many minority workers’ and equal opportunity organizations. His quote, ‘You can’t just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solutionContinue reading “Waste and Abuse”
Oversight Needed
The last blog focused on DEEP DENIAL: More than Guard Rails Needed. This episode spotlights FUTURE TAX INITIATIVES SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO OVERSIGHT AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. When finding a solution to the operating crisis facing El Cerrito, the only plan coming from City leaders is more taxes. Like many other Cities, El Cerrito adopted aContinue reading “Oversight Needed”
Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed
The last edition spotlighted the Need for Guard Rails. This edition highlights DEEP DENIAL: More than Guard Rails Needed. El Cerrito Council members have already missed and plan to miss future opportunities to address community challenges because they opted for an abbreviated summer schedule. According to the National League of Cities, local legislators and councilmembersContinue reading “Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed”
Time For The Guard Rails
The last blog focused on Deceit: How City Leadership Has Repeatedly Misled the Community. Today’s blog is titled Time For The Guardrails! The competing goals are playing themselves out as the volunteer three-member Financial Advisory Board tries to implement a policy for the General Reserve Fund for the City. What are these goals? Obviously, theContinue reading “Time For The Guard Rails”
Deceit
The last blog focused on the Broken Promises: The myth that City Leadership allocates resources to improve the lives of El Cerrito residents. This follow-up episode spotlights Deceit: How City Leadership Has Repeatedly Misled the Community Merriam-Webster defines deceit as a noun: de·ceit di-ˈsēt Deceit: the act of causing someone to accept as accurate or valid whatContinue reading “Deceit”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 