The City of El Cerrito recently released its monthly disbursement and check register. While such reports might seem like a step toward transparency, they offer little insight into the city’s financial health. A check register is merely a list of payments made within a specific time frame, without providing any context about the overall budget,Continue reading “Understanding El Cerrito’s Check Register Limitations – microblog”
Category Archives: Richmondside
Karen Pinkos’ Contract Extension: Political Risks Examined
El Cerrito’s City Manager, Karen Pinkos, was recently granted a five-year contract extension despite the city’s ongoing financial struggles, declining services, and growing public dissatisfaction. While this decision might appear to endorse her leadership, it was not driven by confidence. Instead, the move reflects the previous City Council’s political calculation, whose political futures are tightlyContinue reading “Karen Pinkos’ Contract Extension: Political Risks Examined”
Understanding El Cerrito’s Special Tax Bond Risks
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”
Why El Cerrito Needs Better Financial Analysis
We are deeply concerned about the lack of financial transparency and decision-making in El Cerrito’s government, particularly regarding the Plaza Library effort. When we visit the city’s homepage, we see that a potential new library is being promoted. Yet, just yesterday, we received a document—an RFP for a contractor to run the library campaign. ThereContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Needs Better Financial Analysis”
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”
The Case for a Senior Center
The city’s mid-year budget report raises important questions about spending, priorities, and transparency. While officials shared the numbers, they could have been clearer about what they mean for taxpayers. The reality is simple: spending is up—significantly. Spending Has Increased by 5.67%— Comparing fiscal years makes it obvious: • FY 2025 Budget: $26,698,616 • FY 2024Continue reading “The Case for a Senior Center”
El Cerrito’s Credit Rating Crisis: From A- to BBB
When El Cerrito’s current city manager assumed office, the city held an A- credit rating, a mark of financial stability and prudent management. Fast forward to today, and the city is hanging on to a BBB rating, a stark drop that raises serious concerns about financial governance and the city’s economic future. This decline notContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Credit Rating Crisis: From A- to BBB”
Assessing Kensington’s Fair Share in Fire Services
When it comes to fire services, fairness and equity are essential to maintaining trust between neighboring communities. The El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Department, which provides critical fire protection and emergency medical services, serves both the city of El Cerrito and the smaller, affluent community of Kensington. However, questions have arisen about whether Kensington, with its populationContinue reading “Assessing Kensington’s Fair Share in Fire Services”
A Transparency Issue Beyond Just Numbers
Residents tuning into El Cerrito’s much-anticipated audit presentation were met with a frustrating and concerning reality: they simply couldn’t hear it. Those in attendance at the council chamber struggled to catch the details, while remote listeners missed most of the discussion entirely. What makes this situation even more perplexing is that earlier commentary during theContinue reading “A Transparency Issue Beyond Just Numbers”
El Cerrito’s Push for Cannabis Revenue: A Sustainable Strategy or a Red Flag?
In the upcoming El Cerrito City Council meeting, the focus turned to expanding cannabis opportunities as a revenue source. This comes on the heels of the establishment of two major dispensaries, NUG (opened in 2021) and STIIIZY (opened in 2023), which contribute community benefits fees and fund initiatives for local projects. While cannabis operations promiseContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Push for Cannabis Revenue: A Sustainable Strategy or a Red Flag?”
City Services vs. Staffing: A Call for Efficiency
The city faces an undeniable challenge: its staffing levels and payroll far exceed what is necessary to deliver essential services. Basic responsibilities like street maintenance, park upkeep, and permitting are falling short, while the workforce and associated costs continue to grow unchecked. Adding to the frustration, public information requests are often delayed or denied, leavingContinue reading “City Services vs. Staffing: A Call for Efficiency”
Why El Cerrito’s High-Risk Removal Doesn’t Mean Financial Stability
The City of El Cerrito has recently announced its removal from the California State Auditor’s High-Risk Local Government Agency Audit Program. While this may sound like a victory, it’s important to understand what this actually means. The “high risk” designation applies to only the worst 3% of cities in California. Being removed from this listContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s High-Risk Removal Doesn’t Mean Financial Stability”
Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions
El Cerrito’s progress in funding, infrastructure, and financial stability is worth recognizing. But a city’s success is more than a a list of checks paid or a groundbreaking ceremony—it’s the health of its workplace culture and the trust employees have in their leadership. Without addressing systemic issues, the foundation of these advancements remains fragile. TheContinue reading “Editorial: El Cerrito’s Workplace Culture—Time to Align Words with Actions”
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”
Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax
Between FY 2019 and FY 2024, the El Cerrito Library experienced a significant 43% decline in foot traffic. In 2019, the library recorded 171,262 visits, which decreased to 96,798 by 2024—a reduction of 74,464 visits. This trend reflects a broader pattern across the Contra Costa Library system, which saw an overall 31% decline in footContinue reading “Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax”
Political Opportunism, Silencing and Civil Liberties Concerns
A concerned citizen recently wrote to ECCRG. Their perspective offered some insight. Here are a few thoughts presented as a blog: Advocacy for Surveillance Technology El Cerrito’s city government has recently come under scrutiny, with allegations suggesting it operates as a “Good Ol’ Boys” club, lacking accountability and transparency. Residents express concerns that Mayor TessaContinue reading “Political Opportunism, Silencing and Civil Liberties Concerns”
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”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 