El Cerrito’s City Council is returning, pleading for more tax revenue from its residents. In 2022, it was the parcel transfer tax. Now, they want to pass Measure G, which means our sales tax will be 10.25%—and make it permanent. Yes, you read that right. Despite the voter mandate to sunset this tax in MarchContinue reading “Vote NO on Tax Measures Without a Sunset: El Cerrito’s Never-Ending Taxation”
Category Archives: FAB Meetings
The Need for Courageous Leadership in El Cerrito City Council
In recent years, El Cerrito’s City Council has faced numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to the city’s finances. Yet, despite the gravity of these issues, we continue to see a troubling pattern in council meetings: the 5-0 vote. Time and again, council members unanimously support decisions that, to many, seem fundamentally flawed—especially when itContinue reading “The Need for Courageous Leadership in El Cerrito City Council”
The Endorsement Game: Why El Cerrito Deserves Better Than the Status Quo
Greg Lyman’s tenure on the El Cerrito City Council during the economic downturn of 2008 which led to the financial crisis that nearly bankrupted our city between 2012 and 2020 should be a stark reminder of the consequences of poor leadership. Despite these historical failures, it’s more than disappointing—it’s outright irresponsible—that Greg Lyman continues toContinue reading “The Endorsement Game: Why El Cerrito Deserves Better Than the Status Quo”
The Disappearing Act: El Cerrito’s Unclear Capital Improvement Plan
When it comes to planning for the future, one would expect a city to have a clear and coherent capital improvement plan, especially for major infrastructure projects. Unfortunately, the reality in El Cerrito is far from ideal. Around 2010, budget documents pointed to three significant projects: a new senior center, a new library, and aContinue reading “The Disappearing Act: El Cerrito’s Unclear Capital Improvement Plan”
Priorities Misaligned: The Unused Potential of the Life in Christ Property
It’s a common refrain these days that there’s “no money” for essential services in El Cerrito, especially when it comes to our senior community. Yet, just this past January, the City made a substantial purchase, paying $1.5 million for the Life in Christ property on San Pablo Avenue. This site is located between the parkingContinue reading “Priorities Misaligned: The Unused Potential of the Life in Christ Property”
Ignoring the Warning Signs
As concerned residents of El Cerrito, it is alarming to witness the city inching once again toward financial insolvency. The federal bailout, which temporarily provided relief by paying off the TRANs loans, did little more than put a band-aid on a festering wound. Despite the state auditor’s clear warnings, the city seems determined to ignoreContinue reading “Ignoring the Warning Signs”
Fiscal Transparency Needed
In her State of the City address on December 19, 2023, Councilmember Lisa Motoyama presented an optimistic picture of El Cerrito’s financial health. Her words, however, warrant closer examination. Lisa has long been recognized as the most fiscally responsible member of our City Council. Her efforts to steer El Cerrito through challenging financial times haveContinue reading “Fiscal Transparency Needed”
Why El Cerrito Didn’t Earn a GFOA Budget Award
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Budget Award is considered a benchmark of excellence in public budgeting. Receiving this award signifies that a local government’s budget document is comprehensive and transparent and serves as an effective policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication device. GFOA Budget Award Criteria To achieve this prestigious award, aContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Didn’t Earn a GFOA Budget Award”
Microblog: Will El Cerrito Continue to Support Higher Taxes with Fewer Services?
In a surprising turn of events, the $20 billion Bay Area housing bond proposal has been pulled from the November ballot. The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority made this decision in light of dwindling support for new taxes, according to recent polls. This development raises significant questions for residents of El Cerrito, a city thatContinue reading “Microblog: Will El Cerrito Continue to Support Higher Taxes with Fewer Services?”
Moving the Goal Line: The City’s Ever-Shifting Standards for Financial Stability
In the realm of public finance, the goalposts seem to shift whenever it suits those in power. In El Cerrito, we’ve seen this play out with how the city measures the health of its General Fund reserves. When the City meets the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidelines, it’s cause for celebration. But when theContinue reading “Moving the Goal Line: The City’s Ever-Shifting Standards for Financial Stability”
El Cerrito: A City in Fiscal Freefall
El Cerrito, CA – August 13, 2024 – Four years after the State Auditor’s report highlighted the severe financial mismanagement and fiscal irresponsibility plaguing El Cerrito, the City Council remains conspicuously negligent in addressing the crisis. The consequences of their inaction are stark, with the city teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, driven by aContinue reading “El Cerrito: A City in Fiscal Freefall”
Understanding the Importance of a Compensation Scorecard
El Cerrito recognize that employee compensation is one of the largest expenses for any organization, including our city. Often, this area goes unmanaged, leading to significant issues such as inconsistent pay for performance and disparities in compensation. Given the pivotal role of the City Manager in El Cerrito’s administration, it’s crucial to have a clear,Continue reading “Understanding the Importance of a Compensation Scorecard”
El Cerrito Fiscal Management: Addressing Concerns from State Auditor’s Report
In a letter dated March 2024, the City of El Cerrito claims it has addressed all recommendations from the California State Auditor’s Report (Report No. 2020-803) in 2021 and has requested removal from the Local High-Risk Program. However, a deeper look into the city’s letter to the State Auditor and the progress report reveals severalContinue reading “El Cerrito Fiscal Management: Addressing Concerns from State Auditor’s Report”
The Hidden Cost of Loyalty: A Closer Look at El Cerrito’s Leadership
In the heart of our diverse and vibrant community, a troubling trend persists within El Cerrito’s city leadership—a trend that raises questions about loyalty, vested interest, and the real cost to our city’s future. At the helm of this trend is the City Manager, whose ability to cultivate unwavering loyalty from her staff comes atContinue reading “The Hidden Cost of Loyalty: A Closer Look at El Cerrito’s Leadership”
The City of El Cerrito: Tactical Decisions Masquerading as Strategy
In the City of El Cerrito, leadership often touts their decision-making as strategic. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that many of these decisions are nothing more than transactional and tactical. True strategy involves long-term vision and comprehensive planning, but the city’s recent actions demonstrate a lack of such foresight. Short-Term Budget Fixes OneContinue reading “The City of El Cerrito: Tactical Decisions Masquerading as Strategy”
The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito
In El Cerrito, the commitment to public safety is evident in the significant compensation packages allocated to our fire department and city management. However, the disparity between our city’s spending and that of nearby cities raises concerns. While protecting citizens is paramount, the financial burden on our community is substantial, and the need for newContinue reading “The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito”
Vote for a Leader Who Puts Your Interests First
As the re-election of current Mayor Tessa Rudnick approaches, it’s time for us, the community of El Cerrito, to reflect on our leadership and the promises made to us. Our leaders have pledged to enhance our community with new projects like a library, a senior center, and improved services. Yet, the reality of these commitmentsContinue reading “Vote for a Leader Who Puts Your Interests First”
El Cerrito’s Tax Extension “Until Voters End It”
On Tuesday, the El Cerrito City Council voted 4-0 to put a measure on the November ballot to extend our city’s Measure R one percent sales tax “until voters end it.” While the council members briefly considered a 30 or 35-year sunset, they ultimately decided on an indefinite extension. This decision raises significant concerns aboutContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Tax Extension “Until Voters End It””
Microblog – El Cerrito’s Frivolous Spending: A Growing Concern as Expenses Rise and Services Decline
El Cerrito, a city facing financial difficulties, continues to experience increasing expenses while essential services for residents diminish. A significant and often overlooked aspect of this issue is the city’s growing senior population. According to 2010 data, 1,188 households (11.7%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. Despite the evident need for seniorContinue reading “Microblog – El Cerrito’s Frivolous Spending: A Growing Concern as Expenses Rise and Services Decline”
Mismanagement in El Cerrito Leading to “Forever” Tax
The El Cerrito city manager has chosen to drag her feet on the state auditor’s 2021 recommendation to conduct a crucial staffing needs study. Instead of addressing this significant issue, she has announced a slew of other initiatives as priority measures, pushing the study to the back burner. Not so coincidentally, this delay aligns perfectlyContinue reading “Mismanagement in El Cerrito Leading to “Forever” Tax”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 