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OUR CITY The City of San Bernardino is a community rich in history and cultural diversity. Influences of Native Americans, Mexican settlers, Spanish missionaries and Mormon emigrants can still be seen throughout the City today. From the day in 1810 when Franciscan missionary Father Dumetz named the area San Bernardino to the present, San Bernardino - nestled south of the San Bernardino Mountains and west of the lower desert - has been recognized for its scenic beauty and strategic location. Today, the City of San Bernardino serves as the county seat and is the largest city in the County of San Bernardino with a population of over 222,000. GOVERNMENT Founded in 1810, and officially incorporated in 1886, San Bernardino is a “Charter” city. Charter cities operate under City Charter. San Bernardino is a full-service City, offering its own police, public works, water, planning, economic development, library, parks and community services programs. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL In the 2016 general election, City of San Bernardino voters approved a new city charter providing for a Council- Manager form of government. Under this governance plan, which is common to most California cities, the elected Mayor and City Council appoints a full-time professional City Manager responsible for the day-to-day administration of city government. The Mayor and City Council (the legislative branch) are responsible for setting City policy and allocating resources. The City Manager and staff (the executive branch) are tasked with recommending policy and implementing the Mayor and Council's direction. Each City department, office and agency is administered by an executive appointed by and subject to the direction and supervision of the City Manager, except the City Attorney, City Clerk, the Library Board of Trustees, and the Water Board, which are administered by their respective executive officers. San Bernardino City Council Wards are made up of 7 wards with the Mayor being selected “At-Large.” Voters in each ward will elect one City Council representative who also lives in that ward. As elected representatives of its citizens, the City Council develops and establishes ordinances, provides direction to staff and sets policies in the best interest of the City. The City Council is the legislative body and is similar to a board of directors in a private corporation, appointing a City Manager to conduct the City’s date-to-day affairs. Appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem The Mayor Pro Tem is appointed by the City Council and acts in place of Mayor during his/her absence. Compensation Each City Council member shall receive the following compensation: A. Annual salary of $37,500; B. Employer health benefits contribution equivalent to that offered by the City to management employees; C. An auto allowance of $725 per month D. An annual cost of living adjustment equivalent to that offered by the City to management employees.
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