Public information requests are supposed to be a cornerstone of transparency—giving residents access to records that show how cities operate, spend taxpayer dollars, and make decisions that affect our daily lives. In theory, these laws empower citizens to hold their local government accountable. But in practice, the process often feels like anything but open. AllContinue reading “When “Public” Doesn’t Mean Accessible: The Reality of Public Information Requests”
Tag Archives: politics
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”
El Cerrito’s Budget: Not as Balanced as It Seems
We told you in April. And now you see for yourselves The City of El Cerrito is preparing to adopt its Fiscal Year 2025–2026 budget. On paper, it’s being presented as “balanced.” But longtime residents and close watchers of the city’s finances know better: this isn’t new, and it certainly isn’t sustainable. In recent years,Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget: Not as Balanced as It Seems”
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”
El Cerrito: Lower Fire Risk, But Still More FTEs?
A new set of fire hazard maps released by the state paints a concerning picture for many Bay Area cities. Some communities have seen striking increases in their fire risk, with more homes now classified as being in high or very high fire hazard severity zones. But not El Cerrito. According to the updated data,Continue reading “El Cerrito: Lower Fire Risk, But Still More FTEs?”
El Cerrito Wins CSMFO Budget Award: What Does It Really Mean?
El Cerrito recently received a budget award from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO), a recognition that may appear to reflect sound financial management. However, it is important to understand what this award actually measures—and more importantly, what it does not. What is the CSMFO Budget Award? The CSMFO budget award is grantedContinue reading “El Cerrito Wins CSMFO Budget Award: What Does It Really Mean?”
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”
The Path to Fiscal Sustainability: Moving Beyond Short-Term Fixes
As the El Cerrito City Council considers steps to address our budget challenges, we must confront a hard truth: continuing to rely on the General Fund’s unrestricted balance as a form of overdraft protection is not sustainable. History has shown us the risks of this approach, and without meaningful action, we risk depleting the veryContinue reading “The Path to Fiscal Sustainability: Moving Beyond Short-Term Fixes”
The Story Behind El Cerrito’s Budget Projections
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”
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”
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”
Moving Beyond Temporary Fixes: El Cerrito’s Path to Stability
El Cerrito’s financial journey over the past two decades highlights a persistent pattern of fiscal instability and difficult decision-making. While the city recently managed to remove itself from the State Auditor’s High-Risk Cities List, over 450 cities in California are still more well-run, underscoring the ongoing challenges the city faces. From Stability to Decline: TheContinue reading “Moving Beyond Temporary Fixes: El Cerrito’s Path to Stability”
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 Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation
El Cerrito stands out among its neighboring cities for its unusually high concentration of fire services relative to its population and geographic size. The California State Auditor previously recommended that El Cerrito conduct a staffing analysis to determine the appropriate staffing levels for each classification. However, nearly four years later, the city has disregarded thisContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Fire Service Staffing: A Costly Miscalculation”
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”
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?”
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”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 