Myth: This is a “forever” tax.
Fact: The tax ends 30 years after planning and construction bonds are issued. The 30-year limit is specified in the ballot measure and the ordinance.

Myth: The tax will start at 17 cents per square foot and then rise 4 percent every year thereafter.
Fact:The tax rate will not escalate that much. No matter what, the tax will be less than half of the 17 cents maximum in the first two years, when the money will cover planning and design. Once construction bonds are issued, it would rise to about 13 cents. For the first 10 years after the library opens, the tax funds would cover the bonds plus operating costs above the county-funded 40 hours a week. This is the only time that the tax might approach the 17 cents maximum. After 14 years, the tax rate will drop significantly and then remain flat. At the highest rate, it will cost the homeowner of a typical 1,950 square foot home less than $28 per month.

Myth: The tax will always be set to the maximum allowable rate.
Fact: The city can only collect as much as is actually needed in any given year. While the measure allows for a parcel tax of up to 17 cents per square foot of living space, the City cannot charge the full amount unless expenses justify it. In the first two years, the City will collect less than the maximum because funds will only be needed for architecture and planning—not construction or operations.

Myth: The tax will increase forever.
Fact: The tax will actually decline around year 14 – and then stay flat. For the first 10 years after the library opens, the tax will cover both construction debt and library operations (above the baseline county-funded service). After that – roughly year 14, allowing four years to design and build the library – operating costs above the county baseline are no longer funded by the tax. That means the tax will go down as it will only be paying off construction debt. Like a fixed-rate mortgage or car loan, these payments will remain consistent over the life of the loan.

Myth: The City Council will raise the tax every year.
Fact: The measure authorizes—but does not require—the City Council to adjust the tax rate to keep up with inflation. Each year, the Council will determine the amount needed for construction and operating expenses (for the first 10 years) in a public process. The tax cannot exceed 115% of the amount required for these purposes. This strict cap provides flexibility for unforeseen circumstances, such as damage to the property or unexpected operational costs. 

Myth: The tax won’t provide enough revenue to fund the library.
Fact: An independent consultant evaluated all seven options in the City’s Impact Report and determined that the tax revenues would be sufficient to build a library under all scenarios. (See El Cerrito Impact Report, Feb 2026)

Myth: There is no senior exemption.
Fact: The proposed ordinance allows the City Council to modify the senior exemption as long as it does not increase the tax burden, giving it the authority to carry out the intent to provide an exemption.

In April, the Council directed staff to expand the exemption and adopted a resolution removing the disability requirement, so property owners age 62+ earning under $55,000 now qualify for a waiver under the existing Measure H and, if approved, Measure C. Unlike the earlier approach that relied on state reimbursement, the City will simply forgo the revenue from eligible low-income seniors. For additional detail, click here.

Myth: The library may never be built but the tax will still be collected.
Fact: The City can collect only the money needed to pay off expenses and loan debt. The tax may be used for planning and design before construction starts. But if the project is not built, then the City cannot continue collecting the tax.

Myth: We will need another tax in 10 years to keep the library open.
Fact: Today, the City general fund covers library operations above the 40 hours a week funded by the county. . It can do the same after the first 10 years of the new library. In fact, the City’s budget is expected to have more flexibility as it pays off debt for Arlington Avenue fire station, City Hall, and, per an outside auditor, by 2038 will have greatly reduced its unfunded liabilities for state pensions via CalPERS. Also, the County Librarian and County Supervisors are exploring ways to guarantee 56 hours of service a week at all libraries in the County.