About El Cerrito

The City of El Cerrito is a general law City that was incorporated in 1917. It is located in Western Contra Costa County and forms part of the highly urbanized area along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Interstate Highway 80 passes near the west boundary of the community; the crest of the Berkeley Hills and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park define the eastern boundary. The community is served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit system with stations near both the north and south boundaries of the city.

The City is organized as a council-manager form of local municipal government. The City Council consists of five members elected at large for four-year, overlapping terms. The Council from among its members selects the Mayor for a one-year term. The Mayor and City Council provide community leadership, develop policies to guide the City in delivering services and achieving community goals, and encourage citizen understanding and involvement. The Council Members also serve as the governing body of the El Cerrito Redevelopment Agency.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for administration of municipal affairs. All municipal departments operate under the supervision of the City Manager. Through the City Manager, City staff, using the resources appropriated by the Council in the budget to achieve desired service results in the community, carries out the policies of the Council.

The City Council also appoints the City Attorney to advise them and the City staff on legal affairs, to see that all laws are effectively enforced and, when necessary, to defend the City in litigation.