The City of El Cerrito just announced an upgrade in its bond ratings—a real improvement worth acknowledging. Mayor Carolyn Wysinger released a statement praising the City’s financial progress, saying she was proud of the hard work that’s gone into strengthening reserves and building stability. But here’s what stands out: while Mayor Wysinger has spoken justContinue reading “Editorial: What’s Missing from the Narratives”
Category Archives: State Audit
El Cerrito Library Tax: What It Really Means for Homeowners
El Cerrito is moving forward with plans to place a new library tax on the ballot. The city is trying to keep itself at arm’s length by having former Councilmember Greg Lyman be the face of the measure. But make no mistake—El Cerrito is behind the scenes, pulling the levers. At first glance, the costContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Tax: What It Really Means for Homeowners”
Image First, City A Distant Second
The City Manager is supposed to be the city’s CEO and chief strategist — the person responsible for setting priorities, stewarding resources, and ensuring residents receive the services they depend on. But in El Cerrito, the record tells a different story. The City hasn’t really recovered from her lack of focus. El Cerrito’s finances remainContinue reading “Image First, City A Distant Second”
A Bait and Switch: The Library Tax That Won’t Guarantee a Library
El Cerrito agents are selling residents a dream: a new, state-of-the-art library. But hidden beneath the campaign’s glossy promises is a reality that voters need to understand. If passed, the proposed library tax will be collected regardless of whether the library project is ever implemented. That’s the bait and switch. Tax First, Deliverables Later—If EverContinue reading “A Bait and Switch: The Library Tax That Won’t Guarantee a Library”
Library Plan Serves Developers, Not Residents
Across El Cerrito, the agents of the City are holding meetings to promote its so-called “Transit-Oriented Development Library” project. They’re also going door to door promoting this initiative. On the surface, it sounds like progress—finally replacing the undersized, aging library. But residents should look more closely at what’s being pitched. This is not a trueContinue reading “Library Plan Serves Developers, Not Residents”
Fiscal Responsibility Missing from Local Endorsements
Back in 2020, Jennifer Greel stepped up with purpose and clarity. In a thoughtful response to the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government’s budget question series, she demonstrated both compassion and a firm understanding of El Cerrito’s financial challenges. With her roots in criminal justice, re-entry work, and community outreach—from San Diego to San Quentin—GreelContinue reading “Fiscal Responsibility Missing from Local Endorsements”
A Response to Todays Post: Why I’m a No on the Library Deal
The City may hold the deed, but taxpayers carry the debt I am a no, plain and simple. But let’s be clear: the City will own the library in fee simple interest and will even hold a grant deed on it. Some claim this means the City is getting a “free” library, since the CityContinue reading “A Response to Todays Post: Why I’m a No on the Library Deal”
10 Reasons Many Residents Do Not Support the 2026 Library Tax
Worried about rising taxes? Concerned neighbors on Nextdoor have been cautioning others on the real reasons they will vote NO on this proposed tax increase. 1. The true price tag is far higher than advertised. While the city touts a $21 million library, taxpayers will end up paying around $75 million to $100 million overContinue reading “10 Reasons Many Residents Do Not Support the 2026 Library Tax”
El Cerrito’s Rising Crime Rates
El Cerrito is facing a growing challenge when it comes to public safety. Recent incidents, such as garage burglaries and catalytic converter thefts, have heightened concerns among residents. Unfortunately, these concerns are supported by the data. El Cerrito’s overall crime rate stands at nearly 50 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than bothContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Rising Crime Rates”
El Cerrito Needs Accountability, Not Another Empty Promise
El Cerrito leadership has once again reached for its familiar playbook: making bold claims, downplaying the costs, and hoping residents won’t demand proof. This time, the city is insisting that its library plan is $10 million cheaper than alternatives. But where are the numbers? If such savings existed, they would be prominently featured in publicContinue reading “El Cerrito Needs Accountability, Not Another Empty Promise”
Bringing BART’s Failures to El Cerrito
Before the election, we warned that this would happen—but voters chose Rebecca Saltzman anyway. Now that she sits on the El Cerrito City Council, the warnings have become reality. She has carried over the same pattern of voting for budget deficits that defined her 12 years as a BART Director. Under her leadership, El CerritoContinue reading “Bringing BART’s Failures to El Cerrito”
Leadership Without Oversight Is a Risk We No Longer Afford
Editorial El Cerrito doesn’t exist to generate profit. They exist to serve. But service without stewardship erodes confidence. Residents are more willing to invest when they see clear outcomes, prudent financial management, and leaders who communicate transparently. Unfortunately, El Cerrito is still stuck in reactive mode—approving budgets, signing off on reports, speculative library funding andContinue reading “Leadership Without Oversight Is a Risk We No Longer Afford”
A $75+ Million Gamble El Cerrito Can’t Afford
El Cerrito voters are being asked to consider a massive $75 million+ tax measure for a new library. But before agreeing to decades of new taxes, residents deserve to ask a simple question: what guarantee do we have that this library will ever get built? The city’s current plan relies on the construction of aContinue reading “A $75+ Million Gamble El Cerrito Can’t Afford”
Next Edition: We Need a Better City Manager’s Report
With the City Manager’s next monthly newsletter, residents should expect more than another recap of ribbon cuttings, art receptions, and ceremonial acknowledgments. The purpose of these updates is to give the community a window into the city’s priorities, challenges, and direction. Too often, however, they have fallen short of that purpose. The last newsletter avoidedContinue reading “Next Edition: We Need a Better City Manager’s Report”
El Cerrito City Hall Works 37.5 Hours a Week While the Rest of Us Work 40+
Most working people know what a standard full-time schedule looks like: 40 hours a week—often more. That’s the reality for residents across El Cerrito who juggle jobs, commutes, family responsibilities, and rising costs of living. Yet when it comes to City Hall, the schedule looks very different. According to the posted hours, El Cerrito CityContinue reading “El Cerrito City Hall Works 37.5 Hours a Week While the Rest of Us Work 40+”
What a Transparent El Cerrito Looks Like
We first published this piece in January 2021—four and a half years ago. Sadly, little has changed since then. The city continues to struggle with transparency, financial discipline, and meaningful engagement with residents. Looking back, the concerns we raised then remain just as relevant today. As we head into the next election, these issues areContinue reading “What a Transparent El Cerrito Looks Like”
Known Expenses Aren’t ‘Surprises’
A concerned citizen wasn’t able to speak at the August 19 El Cerrito City Council meeting because the council does not allow remote public comment. Instead, they put their concerns in writing — a reminder of how the city continues to make it harder for residents to participate in decisions that directly affect our community.Continue reading “Known Expenses Aren’t ‘Surprises’”
Key Issues Ignored in El Cerrito’s City Report
The City Manager’s monthly report should provide the community with a window into the city’s priorities, challenges, and direction. But the latest installment, released on August 22, falls significantly short. The timing alone is troubling. By the time the report appeared, its headline item—a wildfire preparedness event co-hosted with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks—was already weeks oldContinue reading “Key Issues Ignored in El Cerrito’s City Report”
The False Choice Between Expenses and Services
One of the most overused lines from El Cerrito’s city leadership is: “Cutting expenses means cutting services.” It’s a simplistic and frankly idiotic statement that City Manager Karen Pinkos and Councilmember Lisa Motoyama have repeated so often they seem to believe it themselves. If that logic were true, the reverse would also be true: addingContinue reading “The False Choice Between Expenses and Services”
The True Cost of the Swim Center Proposals
El Cerrito residents are once again being asked to absorb multimillion-dollar expenses, this time for Swim Center improvements. The numbers presented at the council meeting tell only part of the story. When you read the details, the costs are far higher than what was initially suggested. Option 2: Partial Scope – $2.3 Million This optionContinue reading “The True Cost of the Swim Center Proposals”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 