California municipalities are ranked each year based on key fiscal indicators—including net worth, pension costs, and pension obligations. These rankings, which compare cities statewide, offer insight into local governments’ fiscal health and future sustainability. For El Cerrito, the trend is clear: while the city has improved its relative standing, the underlying numbers still reflect aContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Pension Burden: Rankings Reveal Troubling Financial Trends #4”
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El Cerrito’s $89M Pension Crisis: Misplaced Blame on CalPERS #3
During the May 20, 2025 presentation to the El Cerrito City Council, NHA Advisors—serving as the city’s financial advisor—essentially blamed CalPERS for El Cerrito’s $89 million Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL), citing underperformance in investment returns. But that explanation doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Other cities relying on CalPERS are not facing pension liabilities near thisContinue reading “El Cerrito’s $89M Pension Crisis: Misplaced Blame on CalPERS #3”
The Comfort of Consultants
In El Cerrito, consultants don’t just provide professional services—they provide reassurance. And for a city in financial distress, that comfort has become dangerously convenient. At the May 20, 2025, City Council meeting, NHA Advisors—El Cerrito’s longtime financial consultants—blamed CalPERS investment performance for the city’s soaring $89 million pension liability. But that narrative ignores reality. NearlyContinue reading “The Comfort of Consultants”
El Cerrito’s Fire Station Density: A Critical Analysis
Fire protection is one of the most visible and vital services cities provide regarding public safety. But how many fire stations are enough—and at what cost? Let’s examine El Cerrito’s performance in terms of fire station density, risk exposure, and financial sustainability compared to other Contra Costa County cities. More Fire Stations per Square MileContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fire Station Density: A Critical Analysis”
Expose Budgeting Tactics in El Cerrito: A Call for Reform – Microblog
El Cerrito residents deserve a transparent and responsible budgeting process—but we’re getting sleight of hand instead. During the cityCouncil meeting today, City Manager Karen Pinkos continued to present an operating budget that deliberately excluded known expenses. These aren’t surprises. They’re foreseeable needs—yet they’re left out of the formal budget and funded later using unrestricted reserves.Continue reading “Expose Budgeting Tactics in El Cerrito: A Call for Reform – Microblog”
El Cerrito Bond Ratings: A Decade of Decline
Understanding Municipal Bond Ratings Municipal bond ratings assess a city’s creditworthiness and directly affect the interest rates it pays when borrowing. Agencies like S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s issue these grades, with higher ratings signaling strong financial health. A downgrade not only reflects concern—it costs cities more to borrow and weakens their financial position overContinue reading “El Cerrito Bond Ratings: A Decade of Decline”
Are Bike Lanes Necessary on Richmond Street? Exploring Alternatives
The Richmond Street Complete Streets Project is moving forward under the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) oversight, which issued the regional Request for Proposals (RFP 23-3) to deliver bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements across Contra Costa County. This initiative is funded through the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, which supports localContinue reading “Are Bike Lanes Necessary on Richmond Street? Exploring Alternatives”
Doing What They Want and Begging for What They Need
Truth is suppressed, not to protect the country from enemy agents, but to protect the Government of the day against the people. —— Essential, But Not Budgeted: The Cost of Poor Planning in El Cerrito El Cerrito continues to show signs of financial mismanagement—this time by failing to include known, essential expenses in the city’sContinue reading “Doing What They Want and Begging for What They Need”
What Grade Does El Cerrito Earn?
A Civic Report Card Behind the Illusion of Progress El Cerrito City Hall paints a picture of progress—balanced budgets, climate goals, vibrant neighborhoods. However, behind the branding is a different reality. Services have disappeared, debt has grown, and infrastructure has declined. While public statements promise fiscal stability and community investment, the numbers tell a differentContinue reading “What Grade Does El Cerrito Earn?”
El Cerrito’s Library Initiative: A Costly Gamble with Uncertain Benefits
The City of El Cerrito has proposed a new initiative that could dramatically reshape the city’s financial landscape and impose a significant burden on property owners. This initiative, known as the El Cerrito Library Initiative, seeks to fund the planning, construction, and furnishing of a modern library in El Cerrito. At first glance, the measureContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Library Initiative: A Costly Gamble with Uncertain Benefits”
El Cerrito’s Budget Illusion
El Cerrito residents are being misled. Despite claims of discretionary spending, the reality is starkly different. The so-called “surplus” is nothing more than a fragile cushion, barely above the minimum reserve requirement—and it’s shrinking fast. Here’s what you need to know. Not Discretionary Funds – Only a Cushion The city’s financial projections show approximately $2.1Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Illusion”
Case Study: Hercules 2012 Financial Crisis: A City on the Brink of Bankruptcy
Hercules is similar in size and population to El Cerrito. In the early 2010s, the neighboring city of Hercules went through a staggering financial crisis. Costly redevelopment gambles, alleged mismanagement, and the fallout from the Great Recession left Hercules teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. This case study examines how a $38 million real estateContinue reading “Case Study: Hercules 2012 Financial Crisis: A City on the Brink of Bankruptcy”
A Better Way to Fund Our Future: Why Financial Health Should Come Before a Library Tax
Subtitle: Let’s stop making residents the fallback plan—and start building a city where libraries and communities thrive together. There’s a push for a new library tax in our community. Supporters point to much-needed improvements—longer hours, updated facilities, better technology, and expanded programs. Libraries are anchors in our neighborhoods. They offer access, education, and connection. WeContinue reading “A Better Way to Fund Our Future: Why Financial Health Should Come Before a Library Tax”
Is El Cerrito Spending Smart—or Just Spending More?
With just 25,000 residents, El Cerrito isn’t the largest city in the Bay Area, but its spending footprint rivals those of much larger communities. For fiscal year 2023–24, El Cerrito’s General Fund expenditures totaled $48.4 million, with $13.5 million allocated to the Police Department and $14.4 million to Fire Services. At first glance, these numbersContinue reading “Is El Cerrito Spending Smart—or Just Spending More?”
El Cerrito Streets: Promises, Progress, and the Potholes Still Waiting
In 2008, El Cerrito voters passed Measure A, a ballot initiative that promised to fix potholes, repave streets, improve safety, and make our roads accessible for all. The measure authorized the city to incur debt—repaid with a dedicated half-cent sales tax—to jumpstart street repairs. But the potholes and uneven pavement remain. And it’s insufficient toContinue reading “El Cerrito Streets: Promises, Progress, and the Potholes Still Waiting”
Just Finished Paying the King’s Ransom — El Cerrito’s Taxes Are Criminal
A concerned citizen emailed us: After paying what feels like the king’s ransom to live in El Cerrito. Again. And every time I settle my tax bill, We are left asking: what exactly are we getting for it? For years now, El Cerrito has ranked among the highest-taxed small cities in the Bay Area. WhileContinue reading “Just Finished Paying the King’s Ransom — El Cerrito’s Taxes Are Criminal”
How Greg Lyman Helped Send El Cerrito into near bankruptcy —And Now Wants a Blank Check for a New Tax
Before residents are asked to sign anything, they deserve the full story. The City of El Cerrito is facing another push for a new tax—this time for a library at the Plaza BART station. But before rushing into another costly project with no clear financial plan, it’s important to remember how we got here—and whoContinue reading “How Greg Lyman Helped Send El Cerrito into near bankruptcy —And Now Wants a Blank Check for a New Tax”
El Cerrito’s Unfunded Pension Liability: A Debt That Keeps Growing
City leaders in El Cerrito often attempt to defend the city’s growing unfunded pension liability (UAL) by claiming “it’s not like a mortgage.” And on that point—they’re absolutely right. It’s worse. A mortgage has a fixed payment schedule. You know exactly how much you owe, when it’s due, and how long you’ll be paying. TheContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Unfunded Pension Liability: A Debt That Keeps Growing”
Why El Cerrito Must Go Beyond Minimum Pension Payments
At the most recent City Council meeting, the City Manager noted—accurately—that El Cerrito has never missed a CalPERS payment. But what went unmentioned is equally important: the State Auditor criticized the city for only making the minimum required payments. Paying the minimum might check a box, but it doesn’t reflect sound fiscal management. CalPERS providesContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Must Go Beyond Minimum Pension Payments”
El Cerrito’s 2025–26 Budget Study: Key Highlights & Risks
On April 15, 2025, the El Cerrito City Council held a budget study session to review the preliminary Fiscal Year (FY) 2025–2026 budget. Budget Manager Claire Coleman presented the budget remotely via teleconference. Unfortunately, significant audio issues marred her presentation, making it difficult for the Council and the public to follow along clearly. Despite theseContinue reading “El Cerrito’s 2025–26 Budget Study: Key Highlights & Risks”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 