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”
Tag Archives: El Cerrito City Council
El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: City Manager Salary Increase Sparks Debate
On Tuesday, December 3, the El Cerrito City Council, is poised to approve a new five-year contract for City Manager Karen Pinkos, elevating her salary to $261,384—despite the city’s ongoing financial challenges. Since 2019, El Cerrito has been under scrutiny from the state auditor due to significant fiscal concerns, including persistent budget deficits and insufficientContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget Crisis: City Manager Salary Increase Sparks Debate”
The 2019 Warning: El Cerrito’s Financial Woes Began Long Before the 2021 Report
In 2019, the City of El Cerrito was formally placed under the spotlight of the California State Auditor’s Local High Risk Program, signaling serious concerns about its financial health. This was not a sudden revelation. The State Auditor’s assessment highlighted longstanding fiscal challenges that required immediate attention. By February 2020, the Joint Legislative Audit CommitteeContinue reading “The 2019 Warning: El Cerrito’s Financial Woes Began Long Before the 2021 Report”
Four Years After the State Auditor’s Report: El Cerrito’s Financial Challenges Persist
Nearly 4 years ago in March 2021, the California State Auditor released a report exposing severe financial challenges in the City of El Cerrito. At that time, state auditor ranked El Cerrito, the sixth most likely city in the state of California to become bankrupt These issues included the depletion of unrestricted reserves, a structuralContinue reading “Four Years After the State Auditor’s Report: El Cerrito’s Financial Challenges Persist”
Prioritizing Proactive Policing Over Costly Technology in El Cerrito
The El Cerrito Police Department’s recent presentation on planned technology deployments has raised critical concerns about the city’s law enforcement priorities and fiscal responsibility. Proposals for tools such as Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) for parking enforcement, facial recognition systems for criminal investigations, and both indoor and outdoor drones signal a shift toward expensive, high-techContinue reading “Prioritizing Proactive Policing Over Costly Technology in El Cerrito”
Concerns Over El Cerrito’s Unrestricted General Fund Balance
Residents of El Cerrito are raising concerns about the city’s unrestricted general fund (GF) balance due to the lack of transparency in financial reporting. The city does not report the unrestricted balance separately; instead, they group all reserves together, occasionally breaking out portions such as the Section 115 or emergency fund balance. However, the unrestrictedContinue reading “Concerns Over El Cerrito’s Unrestricted General Fund Balance”
El Cerrito’s Housing Project and Community Investments
El Cerrito is at a pivotal moment as the city pursues ambitious projects aimed at addressing housing needs and enhancing public services. A transit-oriented development (TOD) at the El Cerrito Plaza Station was a focal point of discussion during last night’s City Council meeting. Housing Project: Sustainable Living at the Forefront The city’s latest development,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Housing Project and Community Investments”
Revisiting El Cerrito’s Spending: Time for a New Approach to City Staffing?
In 2020, the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) demonstrated that El Cerrito’s spending outpaced that of neighboring cities, putting a significant financial burden on its residents. Fast forward to 2023, and likely in 24/25, the city’s expenses remain higher than those of nearby communities, even as neighboring cities have taken steps to manageContinue reading “Revisiting El Cerrito’s Spending: Time for a New Approach to City Staffing?”
El Cerrito’s Priorities: Legal Fees and Polling Over Community Needs?
Between December 2023 and March 2024, El Cerrito spent over $186,000 of taxpayer money on legal fees with the firm Meyers Nave, alongside approxy $40,000 on polling services from Godbe Research. These expenditures are tied to the City’s push for a new library project, a venture that has raised serious concerns among residents. What’s evenContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Priorities: Legal Fees and Polling Over Community Needs?”
El Cerrito’s Road Conditions Decline Despite Dedicated Funding
El Cerrito residents are increasingly concerned about the state of their roads as the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score continues to decline. This index, which measures the quality of road infrastructure, shows a significant downward trend, despite a dedicated tax for road maintenance. Recent data from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Bay Area Toll Authority revealsContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Road Conditions Decline Despite Dedicated Funding”
El Cerrito Council Election: Ktsanes Leads Helion, Paving the Way Toward Fiscal Responsibility
As the latest election results roll in, it’s clear that El Cerrito is on the cusp of a significant shift in its City Council. With current vote tallies, Ktsanes leads Helion, signaling that residents are ready to move toward a more financially responsible future. In an area where community engagement and fiscal stewardship have beenContinue reading “El Cerrito Council Election: Ktsanes Leads Helion, Paving the Way Toward Fiscal Responsibility”
Why We Can’t Trust the City to Use the $300 Forever Library Tax or Measure G as Promised
El Cerrito’s financial mismanagement continues to frustrate residents, and two new tax measures—Measure G, which extends the 1% sales tax indefinitely, and a $300 “forever” library tax (yet to be assigned a ballot letter)—are the latest proposals that demand scrutiny. The city has repeatedly broken promises about spending tax dollars, such as diverting federal COVIDContinue reading “Why We Can’t Trust the City to Use the $300 Forever Library Tax or Measure G as Promised”
El Cerrito Measure G: Mercury News & East Bay Times Recommend No Votes
Both the Mercury News and East Bay Times endorse a NO vote on El Cerrito’s Measure G. This measure seeks to make a 1% increase in the city’s sales tax permanent, pushing the combined rate to 10.25%. El Cerrito’s tax rate would remain one of the highest in California, despite an ongoing history of fiscalContinue reading “El Cerrito Measure G: Mercury News & East Bay Times Recommend No Votes”
Why Has El Cerrito Invested So Much in Polling and Legal Firms for the Library Project?
In recent months, El Cerrito has ramped up efforts to move forward with a new library project, spending over $186,000 in legal fees and significant amounts on polling residents. The City has long neglected the library, offering limited hours and resources, so why the sudden urgency to push through a new, costly project? The likelyContinue reading “Why Has El Cerrito Invested So Much in Polling and Legal Firms for the Library Project?”
Editorial: Why I’m Voting No on Prop 5 and Supporting William Ktsanes for El Cerrito City Council
As a concerned citizen of El Cerrito, I am deeply worried about the City Council’s support for Proposition 5, which would lower the required voter approval threshold for bonds from 67% to just 55%. On the surface, it may seem like a small change, but in practice, it opens the door for risky, taxpayer-funded projectsContinue reading “Editorial: Why I’m Voting No on Prop 5 and Supporting William Ktsanes for El Cerrito City Council”
El Cerrito and California’s Tax Initiatives: Are Voters Seeing the Whole Financial Picture?
As Californians head to the polls, residents across the state, including those in El Cerrito, are being asked to consider a host of tax increases and new government bonds. These ballot measures aim to generate hundreds of millions in local revenue through new taxes and bonds, with over two dozen cities, counties, and school districtsContinue reading “El Cerrito and California’s Tax Initiatives: Are Voters Seeing the Whole Financial Picture?”
Don’t Be Fooled: El Cerrito Needs Real Change, Not More of the Same
As the deadline to run for office neared, incumbent insider Tessa Rudnick decided not to seek re-election. In response, the insiders quickly rallied behind Courtney Helion as their candidate. However, Helion’s lack of financial expertise is alarming, especially when combined with her unwavering support for the city manager, despite the glaring issues facing El Cerrito.Continue reading “Don’t Be Fooled: El Cerrito Needs Real Change, Not More of the Same”
Tax Fatigue in El Cerrito: A Never-Ending Cycle?
#ElCerrito #TaxBurden #FiscalAccountability El Cerrito residents are staring down the barrel of a probable $300 “forever” tax measure on the 2025 ballot. Many are skeptical, given the City’s history of reneging on promises made during previous tax campaigns. Already burdened by high taxes, including the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) that hit us when purchasingContinue reading “Tax Fatigue in El Cerrito: A Never-Ending Cycle?”
Why El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos is Not Fit to Lead: A Timeline of Missteps
In March 2021, the California State Auditor released a report warning that El Cerrito was the 6th most likely among 400+ cities in California to face bankruptcy. This report outlined serious concerns about the city’s overspending, poor budgeting practices, and insufficient efforts to address financial challenges. Under City Manager Karen Pinkos, who took office inContinue reading “Why El Cerrito’s City Manager Karen Pinkos is Not Fit to Lead: A Timeline of Missteps”
More Deception
In recent years, the City of El Cerrito has developed a reputation for confusing its residents with misleading initiatives, and the latest Measure G is no exception. The ballot language appears to indicate that the proposal is for a “1 cent” sales tax, but in reality, it represents a 1 percent sales tax. While theContinue reading “More Deception”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 