My Positions on a Few Issues 

On this website you'll find my ideas on addressing a number of issues affecting El Cerrito; some local, some global. It's likely you will agree with me on some and disagree on others. That's fine—we learn from each other through our diverse views, experiences, priorities and perspectives.

Below is a summary of my positions on a few important issues facing El Cerrito. I encourage you to read my more detailed discussions and analyses in the links, tabs and dropdown menu.

El Cerrito's financial troubles

• El Cerrito has long struggled with fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency.
• El Cerrito faced budget deficits in 12 of the last 19 years (2005-2023).
• Faced with financial shortfalls, the city relied on emergency reserves and short-term loans (known as "TRANS," or tax revenue anticipation notes) to stay afloat.
• By 2017, its reserves were fully depleted.
• After the release of the state auditor's report and under tremendous public pressure, El Cerrito made notable progress between 2020-2023 by balancing its budget and slowly beginning to build back reserves. Unfortunately, while there certainly has been significant improvement, El Cerrito overspent its original 2024 budget by $3.9 million, with expenses 20% higher than the year before (fiscal year 2023). We need to remain vigilant!
• Unfunded accrued pension liabilities are steadily growing, nearing $90 million and needing to be addressed now.
• Unrestricted general fund and emergency reserves must be replenished.
• Fiscal mismanagement worsens El Cerrito's credit rating, making it more expensive to borrow to fund vital services and projects such as a new library, new senior center, new police station, fire protection, infrastructure upgrades, and deferred maintenance.
• We need to get our finances in order instead of borrowing more money and increasing taxes.

Crime Prevention

• The most important role of local government is public safety—crime and fire prevention.
• We need to fully fund, equip, staff and support the police department.
• We need to fully support community policing, an effective approach to public safety that builds strong relationships between police officers, residents and local businesses; increases police visibility; encourages collaborative problem-solving; and fosters trust.
• To that end, we should encourage foot and bike police patrols, particularly along San Pablo Avenue and the Ohlone greenway under the BART tracks.

Fire safety

• Again, the most important role of local government is public safety—including fire safety. We need to fully fund, equip, staff and support the fire department.
• We need to fully support not just the fire department, but also fund, equip and staff the maintenance, engineering, operations and environment services divisions within El Cerrito’s public works department, all of which help keep El Cerrito save from fires.
• We need to continue to approach fire safety with an understanding of the links between fire prevention and environmental protection, with fire risks significantly amplified by environmental damage.
• Full implementation of El Cerrito's Hillside Natural Area Fire Resilience and Forest Conservation Management Plan will help guide and shape fire prevention, habitat conservation and sustainable maintenance.

New senior center

• El Cerrito needs a senior center!
• 28% of El Cerrito residents are 60 years or older.
• Senior centers improve psychological and physical health through resources, activities and social engagement.
• They increase social interaction, build community connections and reduce loneliness by providing vital services such as support groups, counseling, meal programs, transportation, health and wellness programs, and so much more.
• To understand why El Cerrito doesn't have a senior center and why having one is a personal priority, please see my mother's story at william4elcerrito.com/new-senior-center.

New library

• El Cerrito's Stockton Avenue public library has many shortcomings.
• I share concerns expressed by many residents about cost, parking and a lack of community engagement and transparency in the city's push for a new library within the El Cerrito Plaza BART development project.
• Maybe...
  • Maybe a big, beautiful, new $21 million library at the El Cerrito Plaza BART station nestled among 743 new apartments is the best option.
  • Maybe the Plaza BART complex is destined to become the "heart" of El Cerrito, as some envision.
  • Maybe a $300 per year permanent property tax increase is necessary and wise.
  • Maybe the Plaza BART site is preferred by residents over renovating the current Stockton Avenue library or a new building at another site.
  • Maybe the Plaza BART location is the least expensive option.
• Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing without greater transparency and community input.
• We need to consider all site possibilities and financing options.
• We need to have meaningful discussions with the community, carefully consider people’s ideas, and honestly address their concerns.

Climate change

• Climate change is the biggest threat facing our planet. Its impacts—among them, rising sea levels, extreme weather, and disrupted ecosystems—pose profound risks to human societies and the natural world.
• Burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of climate change, releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which in turn trap heat and cause global warming.
• Climate change is clearly a global peril, but it's also a local issue that cannot be ignored. Protecting the planet is our greatest responsibility.
• While serving on El Cerrito’s Financial Advisory Board, I successfully worked to amend El Cerrito's investment policy with language encouraging socially responsible investing and prohibiting investments in entities that engage in the direct exploration, drilling, production, refining, or marketing of fossil fuels.

Again, I encourage you to read my more detailed analyses of issues in the links, tabs and dropdown menu. I also want to hear your thoughts and ideas for improving our city. When I teach at the university, I tell my students that I expect to learn at least as much from them as they will learn from me. Similarly, I learn as listen to my neighbors and community.