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 “đź’° Taxing Our Way to Maintaining Services Hasn’t Worked”
Tag Archives: library
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”
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”
Rethinking El Cerrito’s Library Expansion: A Community Approach
A recent East Bay Times article highlights the undeniable challenges facing El Cerrito’s public library: it’s overcrowded, outdated, and seismically unsafe. No one disputes that the current facility falls short of what the community deserves (see the full article here). But the article stops short of asking an equally important question—what’s the most responsible and sustainableContinue reading “Rethinking El Cerrito’s Library Expansion: A Community Approach”
El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1
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. According to their own campaign filing, the Committee spent $12,125.68 in the last quarter alone. That includes: $203.89 paid to John Stashik’s Premier Graphics for 500Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1”
The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II
Since FY22–23, El Cerrito’s unrestricted General Fund reserves have been in steady decline. And it’s no accident. Behind the scenes, the City has been quietly drawing down those reserves—while hoping the public won’t notice. Why? Because they’re counting on voters to approve the so-called “Forever Tax” to plug the holes. In 2023, the City CouncilContinue reading “The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II”
Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?
This blog is informed by the concerns and research of engaged El Cerrito residents. El Cerrito voters are once again being asked to open their wallets—this time for a new library. But before signing on to another tax, residents should ask: Who really benefits? The Pattern: Promise a Service, Divert the Funds This isn’t theContinue reading “Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?”
Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime
For years, El Cerrito residents have been misled — by City Attorney Sky Woodruff, who quietly shapes how ballot measures are presented, and by former Councilmember Greg Lyman, whose decisions nearly bankrupted the city. Now they’re back, pushing a new library tax through a campaign riddled with misleading claims and questionable tactics. This time, theyContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime”
Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station
Informed by a concerned citizen Yesterday on June 26, 2025, El Cerrito management presented their vision for the Richmond Street project—and if you missed the meeting, you can watch the recording here: đź”— Watch the Presentation đź“Š View the Survey Results Let’s start with the good news. There were a few bright spots: Public EngagementContinue reading “Richmond Street: The Train Has Left the Station”
El Cerrito’s Library Initiative: A Costly Gamble with Uncertain Benefits
The City of El Cerrito has proposed a new initiative that could dramatically reshape the city’s financial landscape and impose a significant burden on property owners. This initiative, known as the El Cerrito Library Initiative, seeks to fund the planning, construction, and furnishing of a modern library in El Cerrito. At first glance, the measureContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Library Initiative: A Costly Gamble with Uncertain Benefits”
How Greg Lyman Helped Send El Cerrito into near bankruptcy —And Now Wants a Blank Check for a New Tax
Before residents are asked to sign anything, they deserve the full story. The City of El Cerrito is facing another push for a new tax—this time for a library at the Plaza BART station. But before rushing into another costly project with no clear financial plan, it’s important to remember how we got here—and whoContinue reading “How Greg Lyman Helped Send El Cerrito into near bankruptcy —And Now Wants a Blank Check for a New Tax”
Facing Facts in El Cerrito: The Fiscal Conversation We Deserve
As El Cerrito prepares its FY 2025–2026 budget, city staff are touting a “balanced” financial plan. But residents should take a closer look. Beneath the headlines and hopeful proclamations lies a sobering fiscal reality: We are inching toward more profound structural instability, masked by one-time funding shifts and unsustainable reserve draws. The $4.5 Million AskContinue reading “Facing Facts in El Cerrito: The Fiscal Conversation We Deserve”
Bridging the Gap Between Symbolism and Substance
El Cerrito has often been lauded for its progressive initiatives and gestures championing inclusivity and community engagement. However, a closer examination reveals a recurring pattern: while the city excels in presenting an image of progressiveness, tangible outcomes and services often fall short of promises. This disconnect between appearance and reality raises concerns about the city’sContinue reading “Bridging the Gap Between Symbolism and Substance”
The Brown Act: What El Cerrito Residents Should Know About Public Comment
If you’ve ever attended a City Council meeting in El Cerrito, you’ve likely heard the City Clerk say something like, “The Council cannot respond to public comment.” It sounds final, almost like it’s against the law for elected officials to engage. But here’s the truth: there’s no law in the Brown Act that prohibits theContinue reading “The Brown Act: What El Cerrito Residents Should Know About Public Comment”
Stop the Scare Tactics: Conduct Staffing Analysis in El Cerrito
As budget season continues, residents of El Cerrito are once again bracing for the all-too-familiar warning: “The sky is falling.” For the fifth year in a row, the city manager has refused to conduct the staffing analysis recommended by the state auditor. This analysis is necessary because of the continued trend of having expenitures outpaceContinue reading “Stop the Scare Tactics: Conduct Staffing Analysis in El Cerrito”
El Cerrito’s Reserve Fund: A Strong Safety Net or a Leaky Bucket?
The City of El Cerrito plans to dip into its reserves once again, this time pulling another $1.1 million from what it claims is a “strong” reserve fund. What they don’t say is this action reduces unrestricted reserves from $12.4 million to $11.3 million The repeated use of reserves is the exact same practice thatContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Reserve Fund: A Strong Safety Net or a Leaky Bucket?”
El Cerrito Library Campaign Faces Major Setback
The long-debated plan to construct a new library in El Cerrito Plaza has encountered yet another delay, raising concerns about transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the city’s priorities. Shifting Deadlines and Unseen Data In 2023, residents were told that a $300-per-year forever tax was necessary to fund the new library and that the deadline for passingContinue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign Faces Major Setback”
Understanding El Cerrito’s Check Register Limitations – microblog
The City of El Cerrito recently released its monthly disbursement and check register. While such reports might seem like a step toward transparency, they offer little insight into the city’s financial health. A check register is merely a list of payments made within a specific time frame, without providing any context about the overall budget,Continue reading “Understanding El Cerrito’s Check Register Limitations – microblog”
Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax
Between FY 2019 and FY 2024, the El Cerrito Library experienced a significant 43% decline in foot traffic. In 2019, the library recorded 171,262 visits, which decreased to 96,798 by 2024—a reduction of 74,464 visits. This trend reflects a broader pattern across the Contra Costa Library system, which saw an overall 31% decline in footContinue reading “Decline in El Cerrito Library Foot Traffic and Proposed Parcel Tax”
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 Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 