During Greg Lyman’s tenure on the El Cerrito City Council from 2008 to 2020, the city’s financial health sharply declined, culminating in a bond rating drop from AA- to BBB-. Lyman’s leadership failed to adapt to the city’s financial “new normal,” despite attributing the need to draw on reserves to the 2008 recession. This short-sightedContinue reading “Greg Lyman: A Record of Financial Mismanagement and Misleading Narratives”
Category Archives: Budget
Greg Lyman: El Cerrito’s Power Broker of Fiscal Irresponsibility – It’s Time to Change the Guard
Greg Lyman, a former City Councilmember turned El Cerrito power broker, currently serving as Treasurer for two city council candidates he endorsed. Lyman has consistently pushed policies that exacerbate the city’s fiscal woes. Known for his influence on local decision-making and El Cerrito City Council candidates, Lyman has supported expanding city spending, including bloated administrativeContinue reading “Greg Lyman: El Cerrito’s Power Broker of Fiscal Irresponsibility – It’s Time to Change the Guard”
CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031
City staff would lead you to believe that the unfunded liability fluctuates. However, over the last 5+ years, the amount has only increased. The latest CalPERS actuarial report reveals that El Cerrito’s pension liability (UAL – unfunded accrued liability) has risen to $89,246,893, up from $84,956,834. This poor financial planning will cost El Cerrito taxpayersContinue reading “CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031”
El Cerrito’s GFOA Budget Award: A Hollow Victory for a City in Financial Turmoil
It turns out that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) did, in fact, award the City of El Cerrito with a budget award. But before we break out the confetti, it’s important to understand what this award actually measures—and what it doesn’t. The GFOA budget award, despite its name, isn’t actually a “budget award” inContinue reading “El Cerrito’s GFOA Budget Award: A Hollow Victory for a City in Financial Turmoil”
El Cerrito’s Financial Stability: Smoke and Mirrors?
The City of El Cerrito recently issued a press release announcing that it has received a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) budget award. Yet, a quick search on the GFOA website reveals that El Cerrito is not listed as a recipient. This absence raises a serious question: Is the city misleading residents about its financialContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Financial Stability: Smoke and Mirrors?”
Who’s Really Voting for Perpetual Taxes in El Cerrito?
When we closely examine who supports taxes with no sunset in El Cerrito, we see a pattern. It’s not the average resident, small business owner, or family planning to stay in the city for years to come. Instead, the push for these endless taxes often comes from groups who are far removed from the financialContinue reading “Who’s Really Voting for Perpetual Taxes in El Cerrito?”
A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles
As residents of El Cerrito, it’s important that we take a hard look at our city’s fiscal health and understand the broader context within which we’re operating. The recent ranking by the California State Auditor places El Cerrito in a precarious financial position—13th most likely city in California to face bankruptcy. But what does thisContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles”
El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves
El Cerrito has faced budget deficits in 18 of the last 21 years. Since 2003, the city has been plagued by financial shortfalls, repeatedly dipping into emergency reserves and relying on short-term loans, known as “TRANS” (Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes), to stay afloat. By 2017, the reserves were fully depleted, leaving the city with noContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves”
Examining the City Manager’s Financial Report – What’s the Real Picture?
At the September 17 City Council meeting, the City Manager presented the 4th Quarter General Fund Update, painting a rosy picture of El Cerrito’s financial health. While the report claims fiscal prudence and a surplus in the General Fund, we believe the City Manager’s interpretation of the numbers may be misleading. Misleading Use of “GeneralContinue reading “Examining the City Manager’s Financial Report – What’s the Real Picture?”
El Cerrito City Manager Newsletter: A Concerned Citizen’s Observations
The El Cerrito City Manager recently published her monthly newsletter, and as concerned citizens, we believe it’s important to take a closer look at the finance section she provided. For your convenience, here is the El Cerrito September City Manager Newsletter. But before diving into the city’s narrative, some key pieces of information are missingContinue reading “El Cerrito City Manager Newsletter: A Concerned Citizen’s Observations”
Accountability on the Agenda: Electing El Cerrito City Council Members Committed to Oversight
With election season here and three out of five City Council seats up for grabs, it’s a critical time for El Cerrito residents to cast their votes for representatives who will rigorously hold the City Manager accountable for her performance. After serving 12 years as Assistant City Manager, Karen Pinkos took over the role ofContinue reading “Accountability on the Agenda: Electing El Cerrito City Council Members Committed to Oversight”
The Truth Behind El Cerrito’s Financial Position: Misleading Reserves Reporting
Both Lisa Motoyama and Karen Pinkos consistently claim that El Cerrito is in a strong financial position. However, they often blur the line between restricted and unrestricted reserves, combining them to paint a rosier picture. What they don’t mention is that approximately $10 million of these reserves are restricted, meaning that they cannot be usedContinue reading “The Truth Behind El Cerrito’s Financial Position: Misleading Reserves Reporting”
The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management
In recent years, many El Cerrito residents have grown increasingly concerned about our city’s transparency and fiscal management. One troubling practice that has repeatedly surfaced is the use of “split purchase orders” (POs) by city management to circumvent the approval process. This approach raises serious ethical questions and undermines the checks and balances designed toContinue reading “The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management”
The League of Women Voters Forum Highlights Transparency Gaps and Senior Center Needs in El Cerrito
Yesterday’s League of Women Voters forum for the El Cerrito City Council candidates made one thing clear: there is a significant divide in priorities when it comes to the future of our city. Independent candidate William Ktsanes stood out with a strong and heartfelt focus on transparency and addressing the long-overdue need for a dedicatedContinue reading “The League of Women Voters Forum Highlights Transparency Gaps and Senior Center Needs in El Cerrito”
Is Measure R Being Overlooked in El Cerrito?
While reviewing past agendas for the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) meetings, we discovered that Measure R has not been on the agenda for FAB review in several years. This raises questions about the oversight and management of this critical source of funding for our city. Understanding Measure R In November 2014, El Cerrito voters approvedContinue reading “Is Measure R Being Overlooked in El Cerrito?”
How Has Karen Pinkos Made the Lives of Seniors Better?
A recent post from a member of our senior community raised a critical question: How has El Cerrito City Manager Karen Pinkos made the lives of seniors better? This inquiry was sparked after seniors in our city experienced firsthand the closure of the Senior Center—a space once dedicated to them, now rented out to Kensington.Continue reading “How Has Karen Pinkos Made the Lives of Seniors Better?”
Editorial: El Cerrito Isn’t the Center of the Universe
Living in El Cerrito, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a bubble. There’s a prevailing sense that everyone shares the same views on politics, social issues, and how life should be lived. But the reality is that everyone doesn’t see things the same way. El Cerrito, like many small California towns, can become isolatedContinue reading “Editorial: El Cerrito Isn’t the Center of the Universe”
Editorial: Should You Attend the 9/24 El Cerrito Financial Advisory Board Meeting?
If you’ve ever questioned how El Cerrito manages its finances or felt in the dark about important financial decisions, attending the upcoming Financial Advisory Board (FAB) meeting on September 24 might seem like a good idea. But here’s the problem: the lack of transparency at these meetings has become a glaring issue. At the lastContinue reading “Editorial: Should You Attend the 9/24 El Cerrito Financial Advisory Board Meeting?”
El Cerrito’s UNRESTRICTED General Fund (GF) Reserves May Have Been Depleted
At the August 27, 2024, Financial Advisory Board (FAB) meeting, an important financial policy recommendation was approved and will be sent to the City Council for consideration. This new policy specifies that the UNRESTRICTED General Fund (GF) reserves should be maintained at a minimum of 17% of the city’s GF expenditures. In comparison, the EmergencyContinue reading “El Cerrito’s UNRESTRICTED General Fund (GF) Reserves May Have Been Depleted”
The Merits of Moving On: A Strategic Perspective on Long-Term Goals
In the the June budget meeting, the City Manager presented the council with a balanced budget, expressing deep emotion and gratitude toward her finance team. Her voice wavered, almost to the point of tears, as she thanked them for their dedication and hard work. For many, this moment might have seemed like a triumph—a testamentContinue reading “The Merits of Moving On: A Strategic Perspective on Long-Term Goals”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 