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”
Category Archives: public trust
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?”
Why El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos is Not Fit to Lead: A Timeline of Missteps
In March 2021, the California State Auditor released a report warning that El Cerrito was the 6th most likely among 400+ cities in California to face bankruptcy. This report outlined serious concerns about the city’s overspending, poor budgeting practices, and insufficient efforts to address financial challenges. Under City Manager Karen Pinkos, who took office inContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos is Not Fit to Lead: A Timeline of Missteps”
The Cost of Overstaffing: How El Cerrito’s Bloated Payroll is Draining Public Resources
In a startling comparison between two neighboring cities, El Cerrito and Hercules, we find an alarming disparity that should concern every resident and taxpayer in El Cerrito. Both cities cover roughly four square miles and serve similar populations, yet El Cerrito’s staff size is nearly twice that of Hercules. This bloated staff not only burdensContinue reading “The Cost of Overstaffing: How El Cerrito’s Bloated Payroll is Draining Public Resources”
The Purpose of El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG): Informing, Empowering, and Uniting Residents
In a city like El Cerrito, staying informed about local government actions is key to ensuring transparency and accountability. The El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) is dedicated to keeping residents up to date on financial and civic matters that directly impact their community. Unlike divisive groups, ECCRG’s mission is to provide clear, actionableContinue reading “The Purpose of El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG): Informing, Empowering, and Uniting Residents”
Editorial: Why Karen Pinkos Has Not Been Successful as El Cerrito’s City Manager
Karen Pinkos, El Cerrito’s City Manager, has had more than five years to address the pressing concerns raised by the State Auditor, but rather than take meaningful action, she continues to insist that everything is just fine. This lack of transparency and failure to act has done little to reassure the residents of El Cerrito,Continue reading “Editorial: Why Karen Pinkos Has Not Been Successful as El Cerrito’s City Manager”
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”
Choose Fiscal Responsibility: Vote for ONE or TWO, Not Three
El Cerrito voters, while you can vote for up to three candidates, the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government urges you to cast your vote for just one or two candidates who will focus on fiscal responsibility. Newcomers Rebecca Saltzman and Courtney Helion are advocating for higher taxes, while William Ktsanes is committed to pushingContinue reading “Choose Fiscal Responsibility: Vote for ONE or TWO, Not Three”
Rebecca Saltzman’s Bid for El Cerrito: A Leap from BART’s Fiscal Challenges
In 2016, Debora Allen joined BART BOD promising to bring common-sense leadership to the BART Board of Directors. She focused on improving the safety of BART riders and workers, bringing financial transparency to BART’s $2.4 billion annual budget, and maintaining political independence from special interest groups. From the onset, Allen understood the immense challenges facedContinue reading “Rebecca Saltzman’s Bid for El Cerrito: A Leap from BART’s Fiscal Challenges”
The El Cerrito Library: A Tale of Workshops, Secrecy, and Misguided Plans
The City of El Cerrito continues to hold “public workshops” that are nothing more than pep rallies for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) library. At the last event held at the library, no information was distributed, and no relevant questions were answered. The city has little involvement in operating the library. The County has total controlContinue reading “The El Cerrito Library: A Tale of Workshops, Secrecy, and Misguided Plans”
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”
CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031
City staff would lead you to believe that the unfunded liability fluctuates. However, over the last 5+ years, the amount has only increased. The latest CalPERS actuarial report reveals that El Cerrito’s pension liability (UAL – unfunded accrued liability) has risen to $89,246,893, up from $84,956,834. This poor financial planning will cost El Cerrito taxpayersContinue reading “CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031”
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?”
A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles
As residents of El Cerrito, it’s important that we take a hard look at our city’s fiscal health and understand the broader context within which we’re operating. The recent ranking by the California State Auditor places El Cerrito in a precarious financial position—13th most likely city in California to face bankruptcy. But what does thisContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles”
El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves
El Cerrito has faced budget deficits in 18 of the last 21 years. Since 2003, the city has been plagued by financial shortfalls, repeatedly dipping into emergency reserves and relying on short-term loans, known as “TRANS” (Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes), to stay afloat. By 2017, the reserves were fully depleted, leaving the city with noContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves”
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?”
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”
The Truth Behind El Cerrito’s Financial Position: Misleading Reserves Reporting
Both Lisa Motoyama and Karen Pinkos consistently claim that El Cerrito is in a strong financial position. However, they often blur the line between restricted and unrestricted reserves, combining them to paint a rosier picture. What they don’t mention is that approximately $10 million of these reserves are restricted, meaning that they cannot be usedContinue reading “The Truth Behind El Cerrito’s Financial Position: Misleading Reserves Reporting”
The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management
In recent years, many El Cerrito residents have grown increasingly concerned about our city’s transparency and fiscal management. One troubling practice that has repeatedly surfaced is the use of “split purchase orders” (POs) by city management to circumvent the approval process. This approach raises serious ethical questions and undermines the checks and balances designed toContinue reading “The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 