The budget discussion led by City Staff on March 5, 2024, was presented with precision and assurance. The speaker, endowed with impressive vocal quality and presentation skills navigated the topic. However, the presentation was somewhat perplexing and deliberately evaded several significant financial and related topics. This meeting presented a crucial chance for the Council toContinue reading “The March 5, 2024 Budget Discussion: Yet, Another Missed Opportunity for Essential Inquiry”
Tag Archives: section 115
The Price of Sub Par Performance: A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Manager Compensation
In El Cerrito, a significant question emerges: Why is the City Manager’s role, crucial for the city’s governance and administration, associated with a salary over $240,000 plus extensive benefits and perks? Reports from the City Manager indicate that the city has addressed the State Auditor’s concerns, yet only some issues have been partially resolved. ManyContinue reading “The Price of Sub Par Performance: A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Manager Compensation”
Transparency and Trust Issues in Municipal Meeting and Info Sharing Practices
In January, the El Cerrito Citizens for Responsible Government (ECCRG) took a pivotal step by inquiring about the city’s handling of right-to-information requests made in 2023. They sought comprehensive details, including the outcomes of these requests and explanations for any denials. Although the city shared information about the requestors, topics, and dates, it notably omittedContinue reading “Transparency and Trust Issues in Municipal Meeting and Info Sharing Practices”
Evaluating the Track Records of Councilmembers Wysinger and Quinto in the Primary Elections
As the primary elections draw near, voters in Contra Costa County face important decisions regarding their representation on the Democratic Central Committee, District 1. Among the contenders are Carolyn Wysinger and Gabriel (Gabe) Quinto, both of whom currently serve on the City Council with terms set to conclude in 2026. Their tenure and actions whileContinue reading “Evaluating the Track Records of Councilmembers Wysinger and Quinto in the Primary Elections”
El Cerrito Quietly Renews City Manager’s Contract
On October 3, 2023, Resolution 2023-77 was quietly and unanimously passed by the City Council. The renewal included a hefty $450 car allowance although the City Manager lives in El Cerrito, a few miles from City Hall. In a recent turn of events, the City Manager, fresh off a contract renewal, displayed questionable judgment. Notably,Continue reading “El Cerrito Quietly Renews City Manager’s Contract”
Challenging Financial Oversight: A Critique of El Cerrito’s Budget Reporting Practices – Editor’s note below
Editor’s Note: Following the publication of this blog post, the City of El Cerrito staff made updates to the quarterly performance reports. These reports feature tables detailing revenue and expense categories, complete with annotations regarding budget percentages. This update is undeniably a positive move forward. The City Council Packet for Tuesday’s meeting was released today. Continue reading “Challenging Financial Oversight: A Critique of El Cerrito’s Budget Reporting Practices – Editor’s note below”
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”
Calimesa Leads the Way: A Bold Solution to El Cerrito’s Fiscal Crisis
Calimesa Leads the Way: A Bold Solution to El Cerrito’s Fiscal Crisis El Cerrito faces an unfunded liability reported at $85 million, an amount surpassing its annual budget. The unfunded liability is the amount owed for pension costs that El Cerrito has not paid. With the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) applying a 6.8%Continue reading “Calimesa Leads the Way: A Bold Solution to El Cerrito’s Fiscal Crisis”
Rising Tide of Pension Costs: El Cerrito’s Escalating Financial Challenge
El Cerrito’s financial struggles are largely due to its escalating pension debt, linked to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). This debt saw a 67% increase from fiscal year 2014-15 to 2019-20, reaching $65.8 million by June 2020 and soaring to $85 million by June 2023. High pension liabilities mean rising costs over time,Continue reading “Rising Tide of Pension Costs: El Cerrito’s Escalating Financial Challenge”
Assessing Safety and Spending: A Tale of Two West Contra Costa Cities
The State Auditor’s report on page 25 highlights El Cerrito’s distinction of having the largest police staff per capita in the region, and potentially in California. Despite this, having more police officers doesn’t automatically translate to increased safety. El Cerrito faces the dual challenge of rising staffing costs and an escalating crime rate. El Cerrito’sContinue reading “Assessing Safety and Spending: A Tale of Two West Contra Costa Cities”
El Cerrito’s Stalled Progress: How Council Inaction Harms Community and Staff
This blog has been consistently focused on the critical aspects of governance, accountability, and transparency within El Cerrito’s city administration. The Chief Executive Officer, and City Manager, carries the responsibility for overseeing both the operational and financial performance of El Cerrito. It is essential to note that the City Manager is accountable to the City Council.Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Stalled Progress: How Council Inaction Harms Community and Staff”
Accountability and Transparency Must Be More Than Just Buzzwords
After 12 years as Assistant City Manager, Karen Pinkos became City Manager on January 1, 2019. Since then, several disturbing events have happened under her watch, yet she acknowledges none, nor has she addressed these significant and catastrophic issues. As the City Manager conducts business as usual, she has two patented phrases. One of herContinue reading “Accountability and Transparency Must Be More Than Just Buzzwords”
A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:
In previous blogs, we delved further into the intriguing world of governance, or more pointedly, the absence thereof. To date, several people have chimed in to say that all candidates live in El Cerrito. But the blog’s crux is governance, and governance is the epicenter of El Cerrito’s woes. In this case: No one hasContinue reading “A Critical Look at El Cerrito’s City Management: Where Are the Funds Going? Read on:”
Employee Pension and Benefits
EECRG is rerunning this blog primarily because the unfunded liability of El Cerrito Pension Costs has ballooned to $85 million dollars during the year since this post was written. _______________________________________________ Lost in the din of cheering about the progress of going from the 8th worst-ranked City in California to only the 13th worst (out ofContinue reading “Employee Pension and Benefits”
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government! As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we at the El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you – our valued readers and supporters. This year has beenContinue reading “Happy Thanksgiving”
Overtaxed and Underperforming
El Cerrito recently distributed a mailer seeking support for an upcoming tax increase proposal while emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency. However, examining the City Manager’s track record in these areas is crucial before embracing the rhetoric. One concerning instance is the city’s expenditure of half a million dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit,Continue reading “Overtaxed and Underperforming”
Time For The Guard Rails
The last blog focused on Deceit: How City Leadership Has Repeatedly Misled the Community. Today’s blog is titled Time For The Guardrails! The competing goals are playing themselves out as the volunteer three-member Financial Advisory Board tries to implement a policy for the General Reserve Fund for the City. What are these goals? Obviously, theContinue reading “Time For The Guard Rails”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 