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”
Category Archives: Pension
The Path to Fiscal Sustainability: Moving Beyond Short-Term Fixes
As the El Cerrito City Council considers steps to address our budget challenges, we must confront a hard truth: continuing to rely on the General Fund’s unrestricted balance as a form of overdraft protection is not sustainable. History has shown us the risks of this approach, and without meaningful action, we risk depleting the veryContinue reading “The Path to Fiscal Sustainability: Moving Beyond Short-Term Fixes”
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”
How El Cerrito Could Save Millions on Pension Payments
On March 2, 2021, NHA Advisors, one of the City of El Cerrito’s financial consultants, presented a critical financial update to the city council. The presentation highlighted the City’s projected $70.3 million Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) as of June 30, 2021. During this session, NHA pointed out that other cities had successfully issued pension obligationContinue reading “How El Cerrito Could Save Millions on Pension Payments”
El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line
Today marks a significant moment for the City of El Cerrito. The California State Auditor has officially removed our city from its “High Risk” designation, a status reserved for the bottom 5% of cities with severe financial vulnerabilities. This milestone reflects the city’s progress in achieving fiscal stability, improving budget reporting, and implementing some soundContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line”
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 Governance: The Illusion of Transparency
El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos often touts her commitment to transparency and public engagement. On paper, her administration checks all the boxes: public hearings are held, presentations are given, and decisions are announced. At first glance, this may appear as the textbook definition of participatory government. However, a deeper look into her leadership practicesContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Governance: The Illusion of Transparency”
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”
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?”
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”
Hypocrisy Unveiled
In a performance reminiscent of the republican VP candidate’s debate tactics, El Cerrito’s City Manager, Karen Pinkos, proved herself a master at shapeshifting. She pulled out every rhetorical trick in the book to sidestep looming questions during the recent City Council meeting. It didn’t take long for the council to join in to congratulate themselves.Continue reading “Hypocrisy Unveiled”
Greg Lyman: A Record of Financial Mismanagement and Misleading Narratives
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”
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”
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?”
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”
El Cerrito’s Troubling Financial Journey: A Timeline of Decline and Efforts for Recovery
In the past decade, El Cerrito has experienced a tumultuous financial journey, marked by repeated warnings from the State, declining credit ratings, and a high risk of bankruptcy. This blog will outline the significant events that have shaped the city’s fiscal landscape, highlighting the key figures and decisions involved. Early Warnings and Declining Ratings DecemberContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Troubling Financial Journey: A Timeline of Decline and Efforts for Recovery”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 