A new set of fire hazard maps released by the state paints a concerning picture for many Bay Area cities. Some communities have seen striking increases in their fire risk, with more homes now classified as being in high or very high fire hazard severity zones. But not El Cerrito. According to the updated data,Continue reading “El Cerrito: Lower Fire Risk, But Still More FTEs?”
Category Archives: City Council Meetings
Stop the Scare Tactics: Conduct Staffing Analysis in El Cerrito
As budget season continues, residents of El Cerrito are once again bracing for the all-too-familiar warning: “The sky is falling.” For the fifth year in a row, the city manager has refused to conduct the staffing analysis recommended by the state auditor. This analysis is necessary because of the continued trend of having expenitures outpaceContinue reading “Stop the Scare Tactics: Conduct Staffing Analysis in El Cerrito”
El Cerrito’s Reserve Fund: A Strong Safety Net or a Leaky Bucket?
The City of El Cerrito plans to dip into its reserves once again, this time pulling another $1.1 million from what it claims is a “strong” reserve fund. What they don’t say is this action reduces unrestricted reserves from $12.4 million to $11.3 million The repeated use of reserves is the exact same practice thatContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Reserve Fund: A Strong Safety Net or a Leaky Bucket?”
El Cerrito Wins CSMFO Budget Award: What Does It Really Mean?
El Cerrito recently received a budget award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), a recognition that may appear to reflect sound financial management. However, it is important to understand what this award actually measures—and more importantly, what it does not. What is the CSMFO Budget Award? The CSMFO budget award is grantedContinue reading “El Cerrito Wins CSMFO Budget Award: What Does It Really Mean?”
El Cerrito Library Campaign Faces Major Setback
The long-debated plan to construct a new library in El Cerrito Plaza has encountered yet another delay, raising concerns about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the city’s priorities. Shifting Deadlines and Unseen Data In 2023, residents were told that a $300-per-year forever tax was necessary to fund the new library and that the deadline for passingContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign Faces Major Setback”
Understanding El Cerrito’s Check Register Limitations – microblog
The City of El Cerrito recently released its monthly disbursement and check register. While such reports might seem like a step toward transparency, they offer little insight into the city’s financial health. A check register is merely a list of payments made within a specific time frame, without providing any context about the overall budget,Continue reading “Understanding El Cerrito’s Check Register Limitations – microblog”
El Cerrito’s Tax Challenges: A Barrier to Business Growth
El Cerrito offers a unique blend of community and accessibility. However, despite its prime location, the city struggles to attract businesses and new residents. High taxes and unflattering comparisons to nearby cities—both within Contra Costa County and the Bay Area—pose significant obstacles. The High Sales Tax Problem El Cerrito imposes one of the highest salesContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Tax Challenges: A Barrier to Business Growth”
Understanding El Cerrito’s Special Tax Bond Risks
A concerned citizen recently raised critical points about El Cerrito’s proposed $21 million bond issue for a new library, and these concerns deserve serious attention. Many residents might assume that a financial analysis of the city’s creditworthiness is required for this bond approval—but that’s not the case. Here’s why: The Reality of Special Tax &Continue reading “Understanding El Cerrito’s Special Tax Bond Risks”
Why El Cerrito Needs Better Financial Analysis
We are deeply concerned about the lack of financial transparency and decision-making in El Cerrito’s government, particularly regarding the Plaza Library effort. When we visit the city’s homepage, we see that a potential new library is being promoted. Yet, just yesterday, we received a document—an RFP for a contractor to run the library campaign. ThereContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Needs Better Financial Analysis”
The Cost of Public Safety in El Cerrito: Balancing Effectiveness and Fiscal Responsibility
In El Cerrito, our police and fire departments play a critical role in ensuring community safety. From responding to emergencies to taking preventative measures like fire inspections and crime deterrence, their work is essential. However, the cost and effectiveness of staffing these critical services require closer scrutiny, especially given the city’s ongoing financial challenges. TheContinue reading “The Cost of Public Safety in El Cerrito: Balancing Effectiveness and Fiscal Responsibility”
El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: A Call for Financial Leadership
Many of us remember last year’s budget cycle when Claire Coleman and Will Provost led the outreach and budget presentations. Although their presentations lacked substantial community input, they were both articulate easy to understand and extemporaneous. This year, the City Manager decided to shift the spotlight, offering the Finance Director, Crystal Reams, additional stage time.Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: A Call for Financial Leadership”
The Story Behind El Cerrito’s Budget Projections
El Cerrito’s financial projections paint a concerning picture for fiscal responsibility. The city’s unrestricted reserves are set to decrease from a beginning balance of $12.4 million to an ending balance of $11.4 million—a $1 million drop. A deeper dive reveals a troubling pattern of financial maneuvering that obscures the real state of fiscal health. TheContinue reading “The Story Behind El Cerrito’s Budget Projections”
Progress Made, Challenges Remain
Five years ago, the California State Auditor identified El Cerrito as one of the 18 cities in California most at risk of bankruptcy due to fiscal mismanagement. Among nearly 500 cities, El Cerrito ranked seventh from the bottom in financial health and was placed in the state’s “Local Government High Risk Program.” Despite some progress,Continue reading “Progress Made, Challenges Remain”
Financial Statements: El Cerrito’s Unexplained Expenses
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024, was released this week and is available on the Financial Advisory Board website under reports. The 141-page document details the city’s financial position, revealing both a $2.7 million increase in revenue over expenses and the use of $250,000 in reserves lastContinue reading “Financial Statements: El Cerrito’s Unexplained Expenses”
A Concerned Citizen’s Perspective on El Cerrito’s Finances
Community involvement is essential for good governance. Simply liking social media posts is not enough to bring about real change. Staying informed and engaged through platforms like Livable El Cerrito and the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government can provide valuable insights into how our city is being managed. El Cerrito’s financial struggles began nearlyContinue reading “A Concerned Citizen’s Perspective on El Cerrito’s Finances”
El Cerrito’s Credit Rating Crisis: From A- to BBB
When El Cerrito’s current city manager assumed office, the city held an A- credit rating, a mark of financial stability and prudent management. Fast forward to today, and the city is hanging on to a BBB rating, a stark drop that raises serious concerns about financial governance and the city’s economic future. This decline notContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Credit Rating Crisis: From A- to BBB”
Making Property Taxes Fair in El Cerrito: A Call for Balance and Affordability
El Cerrito is at a crossroads. As property taxes, sales tax, and now a proposed $300 parcel tax continue to rise, many homeowners feel squeezed by the financial burden of living here. The question is not just about funding vital services—it’s about ensuring that the people who already call El Cerrito home can afford toContinue reading “Making Property Taxes Fair in El Cerrito: A Call for Balance and Affordability”
Assessing Kensington’s Fair Share in Fire Services
When it comes to fire services, fairness and equity are essential to maintaining trust between neighboring communities. The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department, which provides critical fire protection and emergency medical services, serves both the city of El Cerrito and the smaller, affluent community of Kensington. However, questions have arisen about whether Kensington, with its populationContinue reading “Assessing Kensington’s Fair Share in Fire Services”
Community Feedback: Revisiting Remote Public Comments in El Cerrito
We recently received a thoughtful comment from a concerned citizen regarding our previous blog post on the suspension of remote public comments in El Cerrito. The commenter rightly pointed out that the decision to halt remote participation was a direct response to coordinated “Zoom bombing” incidents, where non-residents disrupted meetings with antisemitic and white supremacistContinue reading “Community Feedback: Revisiting Remote Public Comments in El Cerrito”
A Transparency Issue Beyond Just Numbers
Residents tuning into El Cerrito’s much-anticipated audit presentation were met with a frustrating and concerning reality: they simply couldn’t hear it. Those in attendance at the council chamber struggled to catch the details, while remote listeners missed most of the discussion entirely. What makes this situation even more perplexing is that earlier commentary during theContinue reading “A Transparency Issue Beyond Just Numbers”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 