El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services relative to its population and geographic size. The California State Auditor previously recommended that El Cerrito conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate staffing levels for each classification. However, nearly four years later, the city has disregarded thisContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation”
Category Archives: City Staff
The Looming Pension Crisis: A $98 Million Unfunded Liability
On November 19th, the city council and staff marked the occasion of a $1.3 million contribution to a Section 115 pension investment. Notably, their consultant had advised a minimum contribution of $5 million, but the account was opened with only about 20% of that recommendation. Typically, cities that establish a Section 115 investment account areContinue reading “The Looming Pension Crisis: A $98 Million Unfunded Liability”
Put the right people in the right places, doing the right things – a microblog
Ensuring that the appropriate personnel are in optimal positions and performing effectively is a fundamental principle of management. This principle becomes particularly apparent during the city’s annual budget development. The City Manager frequently dismisses requests for more detailed information or budget modifications with a recurrent excuse: a shortage of staff. This repeated response, which residentsContinue reading “Put the right people in the right places, doing the right things – a microblog”
Mayor Tessa Rudnick: How Will You Lead Differently as a Future City Manager?
Mayor Tessa Rudnick has expressed aspirations to become a city manager one day. This raises an important question: How would she approach governance differently to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility, and better outcomes for the residents of El Cerrito? With the State of the City Address approaching, now is the perfect time for Mayor Rudnick toContinue reading “Mayor Tessa Rudnick: How Will You Lead Differently as a Future City Manager?”
El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: City Manager Salary Increase Sparks Debate
On Tuesday, December 3, the El Cerrito City Council, is poised to approve a new five-year contract for City Manager Karen Pinkos, elevating her salary to $261,384—despite the city’s ongoing financial challenges. Since 2019, El Cerrito has been under scrutiny from the state auditor due to significant fiscal concerns, including persistent budget deficits and insufficientContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: City Manager Salary Increase Sparks Debate”
The 2019 Warning: El Cerrito’s Financial Woes Began Long Before the 2021 Report
In 2019, the City of El Cerrito was formally placed under the spotlight of the California State Auditor’s Local High Risk Program, signaling serious concerns about its financial health. This was not a sudden revelation. The State Auditor’s assessment highlighted longstanding fiscal challenges that required immediate attention. By February 2020, the Joint Legislative Audit CommitteeContinue reading “The 2019 Warning: El Cerrito’s Financial Woes Began Long Before the 2021 Report”
Four Years After the State Auditor’s Report: El Cerrito’s Financial Challenges Persist
Nearly 4 years ago in March 2021, the California State Auditor released a report exposing severe financial challenges in the City of El Cerrito. At that time, state auditor ranked El Cerrito, the sixth most likely city in the state of California to become bankrupt These issues included the depletion of unrestricted reserves, a structuralContinue reading “Four Years After the State Auditor’s Report: El Cerrito’s Financial Challenges Persist”
Prioritizing Proactive Policing Over Costly Technology in El Cerrito
The El Cerrito Police Department’s recent presentation on planned technology deployments has raised critical concerns about the city’s law enforcement priorities and fiscal responsibility. Proposals for tools such as Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) for parking enforcement, facial recognition systems for criminal investigations, and both indoor and outdoor drones signal a shift toward expensive, high-techContinue reading “Prioritizing Proactive Policing Over Costly Technology in El Cerrito”
El Cerrito’s Housing Project and Community Investments
El Cerrito is at a pivotal moment as the city pursues ambitious projects aimed at addressing housing needs and enhancing public services. A transit-oriented development (TOD) at the El Cerrito Plaza Station was a focal point of discussion during last night’s City Council meeting. Housing Project: Sustainable Living at the Forefront The city’s latest development,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Housing Project and Community Investments”
Hiding Behind the Brown Act
In El Cerrito, many residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency from our city government. It seems that every time we request crucial information—whether about the library project, financial reserves, or decisions made on our behalf—we’re met with the same tired excuses: “releasing this information could harm the public,” or “the documentsContinue reading “Hiding Behind the Brown Act”
Transparency and the Path Forward
The recent passage of Measure G marks a pivotal moment for the City of El Cerrito. With over 80% voter support, the extension of the 1 percent sales tax ensures funding for vital city services such as public safety, emergency response, park maintenance, and senior programs. City Manager’s recent newsletter emphasizes gratitude to the communityContinue reading “Transparency and the Path Forward”
Revisiting El Cerrito’s Spending: Time for a New Approach to City Staffing?
In 2020, the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) demonstrated that El Cerrito’s spending outpaced that of neighboring cities, putting a significant financial burden on its residents. Fast forward to 2023, and likely in 24/25, the city’s expenses remain higher than those of nearby communities, even as neighboring cities have taken steps to manageContinue reading “Revisiting El Cerrito’s Spending: Time for a New Approach to City Staffing?”
El Cerrito’s Road Conditions Decline Despite Dedicated Funding
El Cerrito residents are increasingly concerned about the state of their roads as the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score continues to decline. This index, which measures the quality of road infrastructure, shows a significant downward trend, despite a dedicated tax for road maintenance. Recent data from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Bay Area Toll Authority revealsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Road Conditions Decline Despite Dedicated Funding”
Why We Can’t Trust the City to Use the $300 Forever Library Tax or Measure G as Promised
El Cerrito’s financial mismanagement continues to frustrate residents, and two new tax measures—Measure G, which extends the 1% sales tax indefinitely, and a $300 “forever” library tax (yet to be assigned a ballot letter)—are the latest proposals that demand scrutiny. The city has repeatedly broken promises about spending tax dollars, such as diverting federal COVIDContinue reading “Why We Can’t Trust the City to Use the $300 Forever Library Tax or Measure G as Promised”
El Cerrito Measure G: Mercury News & East Bay Times Recommend No Votes
Both the Mercury News and East Bay Times endorse a NO vote on El Cerrito’s Measure G. This measure seeks to make a 1% increase in the city’s sales tax permanent, pushing the combined rate to 10.25%. El Cerrito’s tax rate would remain one of the highest in California, despite an ongoing history of fiscalContinue reading “El Cerrito Measure G: Mercury News & East Bay Times Recommend No Votes”
Why Has El Cerrito Invested So Much in Polling and Legal Firms for the Library Project?
In recent months, El Cerrito has ramped up efforts to move forward with a new library project, spending over $186,000 in legal fees and significant amounts on polling residents. The City has long neglected the library, offering limited hours and resources, so why the sudden urgency to push through a new, costly project? The likelyContinue reading “Why Has El Cerrito Invested So Much in Polling and Legal Firms for the Library Project?”
El Cerrito and California’s Tax Initiatives: Are Voters Seeing the Whole Financial Picture?
As Californians head to the polls, residents across the state, including those in El Cerrito, are being asked to consider a host of tax increases and new government bonds. These ballot measures aim to generate hundreds of millions in local revenue through new taxes and bonds, with over two dozen cities, counties, and school districtsContinue reading “El Cerrito and California’s Tax Initiatives: Are Voters Seeing the Whole Financial Picture?”
Don’t Be Fooled: El Cerrito Needs Real Change, Not More of the Same
As the deadline to run for office neared, incumbent insider Tessa Rudnick decided not to seek re-election. In response, the insiders quickly rallied behind Courtney Helion as their candidate. However, Helion’s lack of financial expertise is alarming, especially when combined with her unwavering support for the city manager, despite the glaring issues facing El Cerrito.Continue reading “Don’t Be Fooled: El Cerrito Needs Real Change, Not More of the Same”
Outsiders Benefit While El Cerritans Pay the Price: It’s Time for Change
In El Cerrito, a growing concern has emerged regarding the high salaries of city management staff, many of whom do not even live in the city. While they benefit from their generous wages, these employees are largely insulated from the very taxes they approve or advocate for. Instead, the burden of these increasing taxes fallsContinue reading “Outsiders Benefit While El Cerritans Pay the Price: It’s Time for Change”
Tax Fatigue in El Cerrito: A Never-Ending Cycle?
#ElCerrito #TaxBurden #FiscalAccountability El Cerrito residents are staring down the barrel of a probable $300 “forever” tax measure on the 2025 ballot. Many are skeptical, given the City’s history of reneging on promises made during previous tax campaigns. Already burdened by high taxes, including the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) that hit us when purchasingContinue reading “Tax Fatigue in El Cerrito: A Never-Ending Cycle?”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 