In the City of El Cerrito, leadership often touts their decision-making as strategic. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that many of these decisions are nothing more than transactional and tactical. True strategy involves long-term vision and comprehensive planning, but the city’s recent actions demonstrate a lack of such foresight. Short-Term Budget Fixes OneContinue reading “The City of El Cerrito: Tactical Decisions Masquerading as Strategy”
Tag Archives: Budget
The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito
In El Cerrito, the commitment to public safety is evident in the significant compensation packages allocated to our fire department and city management. However, the disparity between our city’s spending and that of nearby cities raises concerns. While protecting citizens is paramount, the financial burden on our community is substantial, and the need for newContinue reading “The Price of Public Safety in El Cerrito”
Another Forever Tax on November Ballot
At the upcoming July 17 council meeting, council members are expected to propose a “forever tax” to be placed on the November ballot. If approved by the voters this tax will be imposed on the sale of tangible personal property and the storage, use, or other consumption of such property. The proposed tax rate wouldContinue reading “Another Forever Tax on November Ballot”
Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation
A public information request for FAB member attendance sent to the City Clerk was met with the response, “check the website,” despite the fact that the website records are incomplete. This is how El Cerrito tax dollars are being utilized! In the heart of El Cerrito, a troubling pattern has emerged that calls into questionContinue reading “Misapplying Rules: The Impact on El Cerrito’s City Council and FAB Participation”
Transparency in El Cerrito: The Truth Behind the Supplemental Property Tax
The City of El Cerrito’s recent decision to invest $250,000 in a housing developer for a speculative real estate development raises significant concerns, particularly when examined in the context of the Supplemental Property Tax. This tax, intended to fund “people and programs” such as after-school care and other city-sponsored activities, appears to be diverted toContinue reading “Transparency in El Cerrito: The Truth Behind the Supplemental Property Tax”
Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council
Rebecca Saltzman has decided not to seek re-election to the BART Board, instead filing to run for the El Cerrito City Council. This move raises eyebrows, as some might argue she’s jumping from one challenging situation to another. After all, Saltzman played a role in steering BART towards its current financial cliff, and now she’sContinue reading “Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council”
Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns
Today is a significant day for our city as the budget deliberations come to a head. Over the past months, citizens have followed the budget process diligently, yet there remains a sense of uncertainty about the council’s overarching goals and priorities. As we dive into the discussions, several pressing questions need clear answers from ourContinue reading “Today is Budget Day: Unanswered Questions and Public Concerns”
Reflecting on El Cerrito’s Budget Predictions: A Community Perspective
As some council members conclude their terms, it’s important to revisit the city’s past budgets and see how well the predictions held up against reality. Let’s take a community-focused look back at our financial forecasts. FY 2021 Budget Predictions The FY 2021 budget, detailed on Page 36, Chart 2-3, projected small surpluses for the nextContinue reading “Reflecting on El Cerrito’s Budget Predictions: A Community Perspective”
Maximizing Efficiency and Savings – Evaluating Staffing and Span of Control in El Cerrito, California
Welcome to El Cerrito, California – a vibrant community nestled in the East Bay region, home to approximately 25,000 residents. As El Cerrito strives to provide services to its inhabitants, it’s essential to evaluate its operational structure to ensure optimal resource allocation. Recent observations suggest that El Cerrito’s management hierarchy may be disproportionately top-heavy comparedContinue reading “Maximizing Efficiency and Savings – Evaluating Staffing and Span of Control in El Cerrito, California”
Shifting Leadership: The Potential Impact of Thorough Evaluations on City Management
Is it possible that the mere act of thorough performance evaluations by the El Cerrito City Council could lead to significant improvements in city management or prompt changes in leadership? This question comes to mind when considering the recent resignation of Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley. Berkeley’s top city administrator, Dee Williams-Ridley, announced her resignationContinue reading “Shifting Leadership: The Potential Impact of Thorough Evaluations on City Management”
El Cerrito City Council Budget Study: A Closer Look at Community Concerns and Financial Management Challenges
On Tuesday, Will Provost, Assistant to the City Manager, and Claire Coleman, the newly appointed Budget/Financial Services Manager, presented the El Cerrito City Council Budget Study. Their presentation highlighted efforts to solicit community feedback and input and conveyed a robust plan for navigating the next two fiscal years. The city has notably increased public engagementContinue reading “El Cerrito City Council Budget Study: A Closer Look at Community Concerns and Financial Management Challenges”
Improving the Engagement and Transparency of El Cerrito’s Leadership: Addressing Broken Promises and the Path Forward
El Cerrito’s leadership has consistently made promises to enhance community living through the development of a new library, a senior center, and better overall services. These assurances have come from elected officials who have pledged their commitment to the well-being of El Cerrito residents. However, the reality of these commitments has come into question, particularlyContinue reading “Improving the Engagement and Transparency of El Cerrito’s Leadership: Addressing Broken Promises and the Path Forward”
Overview of Local Tax Measures in Contra Costa County and El Cerrito
El Cerrito residents are already facing a high tax burden. When purchasing our home, we were impacted by the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) on top of existing taxes. Now, on the heels reducing library hours the City is now asking us to take on even more financial responsibility on top of an existing base:Continue reading “Overview of Local Tax Measures in Contra Costa County and El Cerrito”
The Misguided Motivations Behind Pursuing Local Government Roles: A Closer Look
The journey into local government is often paved with good intentions. At the heart of many decisions to run for local office is a simple, powerful desire to help. This motivation, pure and commendable in its essence, is the driving force behind countless campaigns and initiatives. Yet, the landscape of local governance is rife withContinue reading “The Misguided Motivations Behind Pursuing Local Government Roles: A Closer Look”
Four + Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities
El Cerrito’s Unresolved Crisis: “Four Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities” sheds additional light on the city’s persistent inability to navigate its financial quagmire, highlighting a series of missteps and inaction by city leadership. Despite several years of clear indicators of fiscal distress and specific recommendations by the independent auditor for reform, the CityContinue reading “Four + Years of Financial Mismanagement and Missed Opportunities”
El Cerrito’s Compensation Study: Methodological Concerns and the Need for Comprehensive Analysis
Adjacent to Albany, where employees adhere to a standard 40-hour work week, El Cerrito’s staff operates under a 37.5-hour work schedule. This lower threshold of 37.5 hours not only leads to a 6% manpower shortfall for the city but also appears to encourage a cycle of justifications for not appropriately engaging stakeholders in relevant discussionsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Compensation Study: Methodological Concerns and the Need for Comprehensive Analysis”
Classification and Compensation Study: El Cerrito’s Missed Opportunity
On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, during a City Council meeting, a detailed presentation was given on the classification and compensation study aimed at evaluating the city’s salary structure in comparison with other public entities. Before this presentation was made to the public, the City Council, including the Mayor, was briefed in a closed session. ThisContinue reading “Classification and Compensation Study: El Cerrito’s Missed Opportunity”
El Cerrito’s Fiscal Dilemma: Navigating Budget Adjustments Amid Declining Reserves
Tuesday’s City Council meeting highlighted proposed midyear budget adjustments. A key point in the discussion is the staff’s suggestion to lower the expected property transfer tax revenue by $1 million due to a downturn. Notably, there’s no mention of a corresponding expense reduction. Instead, City Staff recommended general fund withdrawal of $1 million. While theContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fiscal Dilemma: Navigating Budget Adjustments Amid Declining Reserves”
Reevaluating Fiscal Priorities: A Closer Look at City Management Spending Practices
During these challenging financial times, it has come to light that the city’s fiscal resources are being significantly stretched by the city manager’s frequent travels. On a roughly monthly basis, she attends networking conferences, with all related expenses—membership fees, conference charges, airfare, lodging, and dining—being covered by city taxpayers. This practice, while expensive, raises deeperContinue reading “Reevaluating Fiscal Priorities: A Closer Look at City Management Spending Practices”
El Cerrito’s Fiscal Oversight: Missed Opportunities and the Urgent Need for Strategic Staffing and Pension Reform
In March 2023, the state auditor recommended that El Cerrito should evaluate its staffing levels prior to undertaking the Classification and Compensation Study. Despite this advice, El Cerrito proceeded to solicit proposals for a comprehensive classification and compensation study. This study aims to assess the city’s organizational structure, compensation practices, and policies. The outcome ofContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fiscal Oversight: Missed Opportunities and the Urgent Need for Strategic Staffing and Pension Reform”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 