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”
Category Archives: State Audit
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”
Rising Taxes and Falling Services
El Cerrito residents now pay among the highest tax rates in the region, yet services continue to lag and inefficiencies persist. Now, as we transition our focus to the captivating concept of Fiscal Responsibility, we unravel the complexities and overlooked ramifications of self-governance gone awry. This edition of our blog sharpens its lens on aContinue reading “Rising Taxes and Falling Services”
Don’t Be Misled
Supporters of the library tax are presenting a rosy picture. However, the details they leave out are significant. Here’s how their claims stack up against the facts: Their Claim The Facts “The library will have underground parking.” The underground parking is for the housing project—not library visitors. The library footprint will also consume 800 PlazaContinue reading “Don’t Be Misled”
Off the Watch List, But Still Among the Riskiest Cities in California
The City is no longer on the State Auditor’s formal High-Risk Watch List, but it remains in the bottom 20% of more than 400 cities statewide. That’s nothing to celebrate. After years of warnings, El Cerrito has improved its standing with the California State Auditor’s Office. Once ranked among the bottom 3% of cities forContinue reading “Off the Watch List, But Still Among the Riskiest Cities in California”
El Cerrito’s Library and Senior Center Mirage
Behind the promises lies a project built on misrepresentation and political spin. Greg Lyman has once again reappeared in El Cerrito politics, this time working alongside the City of El Cerrito, the Contra Costa County (CCC) Library system, CCC Supervisor John Gioia, and developer Halladay—the lead partner on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project known asContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Library and Senior Center Mirage”
Bond Ratings Up, But Paid For With Your Taxes and One-Time Funds
Federal relief dollars, new taxes, and emergency fund raids aren’t financial stewardship — they’re passing the buck. In the September 2025 City Manager’s report, El Cerrito highlighted what it framed as good news: S&P Global Ratings raised the City’s bond ratings to A+ and A-, with a positive outlook for future upgrades. This was presentedContinue reading “Bond Ratings Up, But Paid For With Your Taxes and One-Time Funds”
The Mindset Behind El Cerrito’s Finances
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, in her landmark book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, explains why some people and organizations adapt and thrive while others stagnate. Her research on fixed vs. growth mindsets offers a powerful lens for understanding El Cerrito’s current leadership. A fixed mindset avoids mistakes, resists accountability, and clings to appearances. That’sContinue reading “The Mindset Behind El Cerrito’s Finances”
🚢 El Cerrito’s Library Tax: Boarding the Titanic Again
The Committee for a Plaza Station Library wants your support—and your money. But before you sign their petition or vote to raise your taxes, here’s what you should know. Who’s Really Behind This? This campaign may feature Greg Lyman and a few “concerned citizens,” but make no mistake—El Cerrito’s leadership is pulling the strings. CityContinue reading “🚢 El Cerrito’s Library Tax: Boarding the Titanic Again”
El Cerrito Needs An Overhaul—Not Cosmetic Fixes
El Cerrito’s problems run far deeper than budget shortfalls and service delays. They are systemic—rooted in a culture of poor financial stewardship, opaque decision-making, and an entrenched unwillingness to hold leadership accountable. These challenges cannot be resolved by tinkering at the margins or by trusting the same people who created them to suddenly reverse course.Continue reading “El Cerrito Needs An Overhaul—Not Cosmetic Fixes”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 