We don’t expect a city manager to answer every email. But we do expect her to lead — and that means explaining the why behind major decisions that affect the people she serves. When residents ask legitimate questions about the library project, bond funding, or use of reserves, they deserve clear answers — not silenceContinue reading “Why the City Manager Must Communicate Decisions Clearly”
Category Archives: State Audit
El Cerrito’s $21 Million Library Bond: A Ponzi Scam Disguised as Civic Investment
The City of El Cerrito is pressing residents to approve a tax so they can secure a $21 million bond to construct a 20,000 sq ft library. But make no mistake: this bond is less about serving the public and more about benefiting the developer and bailing out the city for mismanagement and inflated staffing.Continue reading “El Cerrito’s $21 Million Library Bond: A Ponzi Scam Disguised as Civic Investment”
El Cerrito’s Pattern of Tax-and-Fade Governance
El Cerrito has a long history of asking residents to approve new taxes with big promises — only to quietly reroute those funds into the general fund once the measure passes. The result? Broken commitments, deferred maintenance, and declining trust. Time after time, residents have voted in good faith, believing they were investing in specificContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Pattern of Tax-and-Fade Governance”
Leadership Accountability in El Cerrito: Beyond Crisis Management
El Cerrito runs three fire stations, each with at least one fire engine. A standard fire engine has a 15-year lifespan, and one of El Cerrito’s engines has already reached that limit. According to the Fire Chief, it has required significant and costly repairs and should have been replaced years ago. During the June budgetContinue reading “Leadership Accountability in El Cerrito: Beyond Crisis Management”
When “Act Now” Becomes “Pay More Later”
Tuesday’s City Council meeting was yet another reminder of why El Cerrito residents struggle to trust city leadership. What was presented as a simple discussion about the pool turned into something far more revealing — and far more troubling. Councilmember Rebecca Saltzman echoed a familiar refrain: we’d better do it now, because prices will onlyContinue reading “When “Act Now” Becomes “Pay More Later””
The Bait and Switch on the Agenda
Tuesday’s City Council meeting was another reminder of why El Cerrito residents struggle to trust city leadership. What was presented as a straightforward discussion about the pool quickly turned into something else entirely. Item 9B, titled “Swim Center Lap Pool Renovation Options,” bundled in an entirely separate need — the fire truck replacement. That wasn’tContinue reading “The Bait and Switch on the Agenda”
El Cerrito’s Borrowing Dilemma: Prioritizing Costs
Borrowing for the future means paying for the past first. El Cerrito’s Fiscal SnapshotBond Rating Update: Upgraded September 9, 2025 Outstanding Pension Liability: Over $80 million (CalPERS) New Borrowing Planned: Library construction bond, Fall 2025 Untrstricted General Fund Reserves: Below the recommended GFOA target of 15% and City Policy of 17% Risk: Rising long-term costsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Borrowing Dilemma: Prioritizing Costs”
El Cerrito City Council’s MOU: Long-Term Costs and Impacts
Tomorrow, the El Cerrito City Council will vote on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Professional Firefighters Local 1230, which includes modifications to salary and benefit language and an appropriation of $120,116 from the General Fund’s unassigned balance.On the surface, that may sound routine — a standard labor adjustment. But beneath theContinue reading “El Cerrito City Council’s MOU: Long-Term Costs and Impacts”
Why El Cerrito Needs a Capital Renewal Plan Now
El Cerrito residents already pay a dedicated pool tax, yet the City Council is now considering using more of the General Fund reserves to repair the Swim Center’s lap pool. This isn’t about a lack of funding — it’s about how the City has managed (or failed to manage) the money it already collects. AContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Needs a Capital Renewal Plan Now”
El Cerrito Needs Fiscally Responsible Leadership — Not More Endorsements of the Status Quo
Courtney Helion has formed a campaign committee to run for El Cerrito City Council again in 2026, which signals that either Gabe or Carolyn will not seek re-election. In her previous campaign, Courtney was backed by former Mayor Greg Lyman, who helped send the city into near bankruptcy, is a proponent of new taxes andContinue reading “El Cerrito Needs Fiscally Responsible Leadership — Not More Endorsements of the Status Quo”
El Cerrito’s Selective Spending: Expert Voices Without Expertise
From a recent social media discussion. At the October 7 City Council meeting, the Council considered authorizing an additional $391,000 to Ghirardelli Associates for “construction management services” related to the El Cerrito Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development Complete Streets Project. This wasn’t a competitive bid. It was a contract extension, justified by claims that the originalContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Selective Spending: Expert Voices Without Expertise”
Too Many Staff, Too Little Service
Staffing Levels: A Key Driver of Payroll, Pension Costs, and Declining Productivity El Cerrito’s staffing structure is significantly larger and more expensive than those of peer cities of similar size. This isn’t just about “overhead” — it’s a major driver of payroll and pension costs that are consuming the city’s operating budget. The city’s $53.8Continue reading “Too Many Staff, Too Little Service”
💰 Taxing Our Way to Maintaining Services Hasn’t Worked
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 “💰 Taxing Our Way to Maintaining Services Hasn’t Worked”
Residents Urged to Challenge El Cerrito Library Claims
A well-known El Cerrito city booster has repeatedly written to us to complain about our blogs and to highlight what he perceives as “inaccuracies.” He is a reliable and vocal proponent of virtually anything the City proposes—whether or not it makes fiscal sense or improves services to the community. His latest claim is that theContinue reading “Residents Urged to Challenge El Cerrito Library Claims”
Funding Priorities: El Cerrito Library and TOD Projects
October 7, 2025 — The City of El Cerrito continues to act as though the proposed library initiative has already passed—even though it hasn’t. On tonight’s City Council agenda, two significant consent calendar items reveal just how far preparatory work has gone behind the scenes. While preparatory work is expected, the scope and timing ofContinue reading “Funding Priorities: El Cerrito Library and TOD Projects”
El Cerrito’s Workplace Standards
El Cerrito’s Leadership Crisis: Culture, Costs, and Consequences El Cerrito is in trouble. Services are declining, costs are rising, and the city’s workplace culture is not productive. This environment doesn’t just erode morale—it drives away top talent and makes recruitment nearly impossible. What’s left is mediocrity at best—and dysfunction at worst. Residents Deserve Better ElContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Workplace Standards”
El Cerrito Library Proposal: Who Really Benefits?
El Cerrito is moving ahead with plans to build a new library at Fairmount and Liberty, near the Plaza BART station. At first glance, the idea of a modern library sounds appealing—who doesn’t want better facilities for families, students, and lifelong learners? However, upon closer examination, serious disadvantages become apparent. This isn’t about opposing libraries.Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Proposal: Who Really Benefits?”
El Cerrito Deserves Better: Why It’s Time to Move On from Gabe Quinto
For more than a decade, Councilmember Gabe Quinto has sat on the El Cerrito City Council. With his visibility at community events and a polished public persona, he’s managed to remain in office. But when you peel back the layers, one fact becomes undeniable: he has done nothing to strengthen this city or to meetContinue reading “El Cerrito Deserves Better: Why It’s Time to Move On from Gabe Quinto”
El Cerrito’s Bond Upgrade: Progress, But Claiming Victory Far Too Early
El Cerrito’s leaders are eager to celebrate. Last month, the City announced an upgrade to its bond rating, which highlights its financial strength and responsible management. On the surface, that sounds like a success story—especially for a city that once ranked among the bottom 3% of California municipalities for fiscal health. But peel the onion.Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Bond Upgrade: Progress, But Claiming Victory Far Too Early”
El Cerrito’s Childcare Dilemma: Safety, Vacancies, and City Priorities
El Cerrito is a city of just four square miles, yet the debate over childcare facilities reveals much about how our leaders balance community needs, safety, and fiscal priorities. Recently, the El Cerrito Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit to convert a single-family home at 556 Richmond Street (at Lincoln Avenue) into a childcareContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Childcare Dilemma: Safety, Vacancies, and City Priorities”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 