Category Archives: State Audit

El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services, considering its population and geographic size. More than five years ago, the California State Auditor recommended that the city conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate levels for each classification. While El Cerrito is finally conducting a staffingContinue reading “Overstaffing in El Cerrito: Impacts on Expenses and Services”

El Cerrito residents deserve a public safety strategy that matches the realities on the ground. Yet at a recent meeting, the Chief of Police proudly highlighted the additional revenue the department generated from citations — while saying nothing about the rise in property crime across our neighborhoods. That contrast tells you everything.When leadership celebrates ticketContinue reading “Transforming El Cerrito’s Policing: Strategies for Safer Communities”

For nearly twenty years, El Cerrito residents have shouldered the consequences of City Hall’s fiscal negligence. The City’s pension costs now exceed $8.5 million every year—roughly 16 percent of the city’s entire General Fund budget. Those costs keep rising, even as service levels fall, and public safety concerns grow. This didn’t happen by chance. It’sContinue reading “A Legacy of Neglect”

Shame on the Mayor for shirking their responsibilities In municipal government, transparency and accountability start with something simple: who approves the expenses of the top executive. In nearly every California city, that responsibility rests squarely with the Mayor or City Council, not a subordinate employee. It’s a small but essential safeguard that ensures no oneContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Conflict of Interest in City Manager Expenses”

The State of California’s Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has released staff recommendations for its latest round of affordable housing awards—funding essential for moving major transit-oriented development projects forward. El Cerrito Plaza’s Parcel C East did not receive an award, representing an early and important setback for the proposed Plaza Library, which is tied to ParcelContinue reading “California’s Housing Funding Setbacks: The Plaza Library Challenge”

El Cerrito could have a modern library. But the Plaza library proposal is not the responsible path to get there. After months of shifting numbers, incomplete statements, and conflicting assumptions, one thing has become clear. This project is not financially sound, not transparent, and not in the long-term interest of residents. Voters should reject it.Continue reading “A Better Alternative: Building a Library at Stockton Avenue”

For decades, El Cerrito has responded to fiscal pressures with one familiar tool: more taxes. From parcel taxes and storm drain assessments to multiple sales tax hikes and the 1.2% real property transfer tax, voters have repeatedly been asked to approve new revenue streams to “preserve city services” and “prevent cuts.” Yet today, service levelsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Rising Taxes: Decline in Services”

Neighbors, we need to pay attention to what’s happening with our roads. The latest data from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission shows El Cerrito’s pavement condition has fallen sharply—from a PCI score of 83 in 2018 to 66 in 2024, and now 65 as of July 2025. That’s a 17-point drop in just a few years,Continue reading “Where Is Our Road Tax Money Going?”

One of our readers questioned our earlier statement that the proposed ballot measure does not mention the word “library.” After re-reviewing the filed Notice of Intent and ballot materials, we confirm that the measure does reference funding for a library. Our prior statement was incorrect. We are issuing this correction because it is the rightContinue reading “Correction: Clarifying Our Statement About the Library Tax Initiative”

Supporters of a new tax to fund a future library have been quick to call their effort a “citizen initiative.” Legally, that’s correct — 10% of registered voters must sign a petition to qualify a measure for the ballot. But let’s be honest about what actually happened: Roughly 1,800 verified signatures — in a cityContinue reading “Is the El Cerrito Library Tax a Community Initiative?”

The city of El Cerrito is approaching a key moment: Gabe Quinto — now in his eleventh year on the City Council — has confirmed to Livable El Cerrito on October 31, 2025, that he plans to run for re-election in 2026. At the same time, he is slated to be selected as mayor inContinue reading “Gabe Quinto’s Path to Re-Election: Promises vs. Reality”

We reviewed the new Master Fee Schedule. The Council quietly approved the changes after about a decade of no changes. They could have explained the changes, but it’s hard to explain why El Cerrito residents are paying some of the highest costs in the region for basic city services. But it’s not because our servicesContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Residents Pay More — And Get Less”

Mayor Carolyn Wysinger and the Measure of True Inclusion Mayor Carolyn Wysinger entered office with a powerful story — one rooted in representation, visibility, and inclusion. As the first openly Black lesbian mayor in California, her leadership carries symbolic weight and a promise of progress for a city still emerging from years of fiscal strain.Continue reading “Leadership Isn’t Optics — It’s Obligation”