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”
Category Archives: Transparency
Defining Financial Health for El Cerrito: Clear Benchmarks Require Clear Expectations
El Cerrito’s financial health cannot be left to broad aspirations and vague commitments. The City Council must be specific about its fiscal goals, setting clear, measurable expectations that guide budget decisions and financial planning. Without this clarity, financial stability becomes more of a hope than a strategy. The City Council Must Set the Agenda TheContinue reading “Defining Financial Health for El Cerrito: Clear Benchmarks Require Clear Expectations”
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”
Financial Statements: El Cerrito’s Unexplained Expenses
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024, was released this week and is available on the Financial Advisory Board website under reports. The 141-page document details the city’s financial position, revealing both a $2.7 million increase in revenue over expenses and the use of $250,000 in reserves lastContinue reading “Financial Statements: El Cerrito’s Unexplained Expenses”
Community Feedback: Revisiting Remote Public Comments in El Cerrito
We recently received a thoughtful comment from a concerned citizen regarding our previous blog post on the suspension of remote public comments in El Cerrito. The commenter rightly pointed out that the decision to halt remote participation was a direct response to coordinated “Zoom bombing” incidents, where non-residents disrupted meetings with antisemitic and white supremacistContinue reading “Community Feedback: Revisiting Remote Public Comments in El Cerrito”
2025 El Cerrito Budget Priorities: No Meeting Scheduled
The last Priority Setting and Budget Kickoff for El Cerrito took place on January 13, 2024. Facilitated by consultants at a significant cost, the meeting was billed as an opportunity to shape the city’s goals and budget priorities. However, it left many community members disappointed. Concerns about insufficient advertising, minimal participation from city staff, andContinue reading “2025 El Cerrito Budget Priorities: No Meeting Scheduled”
Why El Cerrito’s Taxpayer Value is in Question
As the new year begins, residents of El Cerrito may notice a stark contrast between their city’s operations and those of neighboring municipalities. While cities like San Pablo, Richmond, Albany, and Hercules are conducting city council meetings during the first full week of January, El Cerrito’s City Hall remains closed, with staff on a two-weekContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s Taxpayer Value is in Question”
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”
El Cerrito Holiday Closure: A City on Pause, But Not Its Paychecks
This holiday season, El Cerrito residents will find city offices closed from Friday, December 20, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. While City Hall resumes regular business hours on Monday, January 6, 2025, the question remains: Why does a small city like El Cerrito shut down entirely for two weeks, leaving no coverage for publicContinue reading “El Cerrito Holiday Closure: A City on Pause, But Not Its Paychecks”
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”
What Did Management and Council Really Do?
They often claim they “worked hard to turn things around,” but here’s what actually happened: • Accepted $6.1 million in ARPA funds • Accepted $4 million+ per year in RPTT • Increased property taxes after revaluation • Benefited from increased sales tax revenue after court decisions ➡️ Over $12 million per year in extra revenues.Continue reading “What Did Management and Council Really Do?”
El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line
Today marks a significant moment for the City of El Cerrito. The California State Auditor has officially removed our city from its “High Risk” designation, a status reserved for the bottom 5% of cities with severe financial vulnerabilities. This milestone reflects the city’s progress in achieving fiscal stability, improving budget reporting, and implementing some soundContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Removal from High-Risk Designation: A Milestone, Not a Finish Line”
Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings
Public participation is a cornerstone of local government, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, recent practices in El Cerrito City Council meetings raise questions about how well the city’s processes align with its ordinances and the principles of open governance. Consent Calendar and Public Input One key issue lies with the Consent Calendar. This section ofContinue reading “Examining Citizen Participation in El Cerrito City Council Meetings”
Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus
El Cerrito’s Mayor will deliver her final State of the City Address on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the community. As she concludes her term without seeking reelection, this address provides a unique opportunity for an honest and thorough evaluation of the city’s current condition and its path forward. The MayorContinue reading “Final State of the City Address: Mayor’s Legacy in Focus”
El Cerrito’s Capital Improvement Needs: One-quarter of a Billion Dollars!
El Cerrito is facing an urgent and substantial need for capital improvements, estimated by the state auditor at nearly a quarter of a billion dollars. This staggering figure highlights the breadth of infrastructure needs within the city, encompassing everything from essential repairs to crucial building upgrades. Despite the significance of these unmet capital improvement needs,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Capital Improvement Needs: One-quarter of a Billion Dollars!”
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 Governance: The Illusion of Transparency
El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos often touts her commitment to transparency and public engagement. On paper, her administration checks all the boxes: public hearings are held, presentations are given, and decisions are announced. At first glance, this may appear as the textbook definition of participatory government. However, a deeper look into her leadership practicesContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Governance: The Illusion of Transparency”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 