The role of a city manager is pivotal in shaping the future of urban landscapes. This blog post delves into the complexities of city management, focusing on the crucial link between leadership and the efficacy of administrative strategies. The city manager, renowned for her eloquent articulation of vision and strategy, has set high expectations forContinue reading “The Impact of Leadership on City Management: A Reflective Analysis- Microblog”
Category Archives: Pension
California State Auditor’s Assessment Reveals Inadequate Cost-Cutting Measures in Ongoing Expenses
El Cerrito, California, informed the State Auditor that it planned to implement a fiscal recovery plan by summer 2021, including elements from the Auditor’s report. However, the city’s plans failed to effectively reduce ongoing costs. Their corrective action plan lacks a focused strategy for spending cuts, even though their five-year forecast acknowledges the need forContinue reading “California State Auditor’s Assessment Reveals Inadequate Cost-Cutting Measures in Ongoing Expenses”
Governance Matters: Expenses Continue to Outpace Revenue as Pension Liability Climbs – Microblog
In March 2023, El Cerrito unveiled its latest plan for financial improvement in response to a severe audit from the California State Auditor in 2021. This audit, part of a program targeting high-risk local governments, shed light on El Cerrito’s precarious financial state and tendency towards excessive expenditure. One key factor in the city’s revenueContinue reading “Governance Matters: Expenses Continue to Outpace Revenue as Pension Liability Climbs – Microblog”
State Auditor’s RoadMap: The Path to Success
The City of El Cerrito, while initially agreeing with some of the State Auditor’s recommendations, has shown a lack of commitment in implementing these suggestions, particularly in managing its financial struggles. The city’s budgets have consistently shown increased expenditures without justifying the rises, and its budget policy lacks clear procedures for monitoring departmental spending. ThisContinue reading “State Auditor’s RoadMap: The Path to Success”
City’s State of Affairs Address: Citizens Seek Authenticity Amidst Reality
In Tuesday’s annual State of the City address, outgoing El Cerrito Mayor Lisa Motoyama delivered a message of optimism and progress for our beloved city. While the tone was cheerful, it’s essential to consider the broader context and some missed points that are crucial for a complete understanding of El Cerrito’s current situation. Her optimisticContinue reading “City’s State of Affairs Address: Citizens Seek Authenticity Amidst Reality”
El Cerrito’s Stalled Progress: How Council Inaction Harms Community and Staff
This blog has been consistently focused on the critical aspects of governance, accountability, and transparency within El Cerrito’s city administration. The Chief Executive Officer, and City Manager, carries the responsibility for overseeing both the operational and financial performance of El Cerrito. It is essential to note that the City Manager is accountable to the City Council.Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Stalled Progress: How Council Inaction Harms Community and Staff”
Accountability and Transparency Must Be More Than Just Buzzwords
After 12 years as Assistant City Manager, Karen Pinkos became City Manager on January 1, 2019. Since then, several disturbing events have happened under her watch, yet she acknowledges none, nor has she addressed these significant and catastrophic issues. As the City Manager conducts business as usual, she has two patented phrases. One of herContinue reading “Accountability and Transparency Must Be More Than Just Buzzwords”
A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:
In previous blogs, we delved further into the intriguing world of governance, or more pointedly, the absence thereof. To date, several people have chimed in to say that all candidates live in El Cerrito. But the blog’s crux is governance, and governance is the epicenter of El Cerrito’s woes. In this case: No one hasContinue reading “A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:”
When a city goes bankrupt:Vallejo case study
As we continue toward the new year, it’s crucial to revisit a topic of utmost importance – the city’s financial health and the looming threat of increased taxes. Originally published in January 2021, this blog post is being brought back to spotlight the ongoing concerns surrounding our city’s fiscal mismanagement. Despite previous warnings, there isContinue reading “When a city goes bankrupt:Vallejo case study”
El Cerrito as Charter City – Chaos
The City of El Cerrito was originally incorporated as a General Law City in 1917 and became a Charter City in November 2018. The City is organized as a Council-Manager form of local municipal government. The City Council consists of five members elected at large for four- year, overlapping terms. A California charter city is aContinue reading “El Cerrito as Charter City – Chaos”
More taxes to cover mismanagement – a fool’s errand.
El Cerrito’s Tax Dilemma: A Call for Accountability and Transparency El Cerrito boasts one of the most robust tax bases in California, yet there’s an ongoing push for even higher taxation. Alongside this, questions arise about the city’s responsible use of the previously approved taxes. Sales Tax in El CerritoAs of October 2023, El Cerrito’sContinue reading “More taxes to cover mismanagement – a fool’s errand.”
Overtaxed and Underperforming
El Cerrito recently distributed a mailer seeking support for an upcoming tax increase proposal while emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency. However, examining the City Manager’s track record in these areas is crucial before embracing the rhetoric. One concerning instance is the city’s expenditure of half a million dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit,Continue reading “Overtaxed and Underperforming”
Performance Management
Series: Performance is only as good as the evidence indicates. ICYMI, working hard in and of itself is not a reflection of outstanding leadership. Performance measurement is essential to the success of any City Manager because executives do not get paid to tread water, or make excuses but to consistently deliver measurable results. PerformanceContinue reading “Performance Management”
The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled -The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds Last week, EECRG reported the lack of transparency in presenting the financials to the public. The October meeting agenda, released Thursday, continues silence on Financial Updates and the fiscal year endingContinue reading “The deceit from El Cerrito has no bounds”
YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget
Adopt rigorous policies for all operating funds aimed at achieving and maintaining a structurally balanced budget According to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), “Most state and local governments are subject to a requirement to pass a balanced budget. However, a budget that may fit the statutory definition of a “balanced budget” may not beContinue reading “YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE THOSE WHO CREATED THE PROBLEM IN CHARGE OF THE SOLUTION is titled GFOA Best Practices Budget on Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget”
Oversight Needed
The last blog focused on DEEP DENIAL: More than Guard Rails Needed. This episode spotlights FUTURE TAX INITIATIVES SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO OVERSIGHT AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. When finding a solution to the operating crisis facing El Cerrito, the only plan coming from City leaders is more taxes. Like many other Cities, El Cerrito adopted aContinue reading “Oversight Needed”
Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed
The last edition spotlighted the Need for Guard Rails. This edition highlights DEEP DENIAL: More than Guard Rails Needed. El Cerrito Council members have already missed and plan to miss future opportunities to address community challenges because they opted for an abbreviated summer schedule. According to the National League of Cities, local legislators and councilmembersContinue reading “Deep Denial; More Guard Rails Needed”
Time For The Guard Rails
The last blog focused on Deceit: How City Leadership Has Repeatedly Misled the Community. Today’s blog is titled Time For The Guardrails! The competing goals are playing themselves out as the volunteer three-member Financial Advisory Board tries to implement a policy for the General Reserve Fund for the City. What are these goals? Obviously, theContinue reading “Time For The Guard Rails”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 