If you’re reading this guide, you’re probably figuring out how to best engage in Stockton local government. Local governments have immense power over your daily life — almost every facet of how you live, work, play, and travel. The policy implications in San Joaquin County impact nearly 800,000 people, with our population growing every year.

In some cases, federal legislation and resources would make a huge difference. But in others, like policing, transportation, and housing construction, much of the power is local. Together, we can transform local systems that are rooted in inequity.

All 781,709 people in the County are governed by the Board of Supervisors, where each one of the five members represent over 150,000 people, plus a popularly elected District Attorney, County Assessor, and Sheriff. San Joaquin County is most famous for its prime agricultural land. Agriculture and related businesses are regarded as the greatest assets in the county's economy. 

The City of Stockton has six (6) Council Members who each represent more than 50,000 people each. The 7th member of the Council is the Mayor, who represents the whole city. The Mayor, City Attorney, and City Controller represent everyone in the City. Yet in the last municipal elections, only 20% of registered voters cast a ballot. That means only 15,000 Stocktonians chose the elected officials for more than 300,000 people. 

The same is true for many of the seven (7) other cities in San Joaquin County, where small minorities of residents are able to set the agenda and back up their priorities with the power of the law and government funding.

The process for public involvement limits constructive debate, and empowers well-connected and privileged insiders who have the time and skill to navigate these complex systems.

The Stockton Govguide is here to change that. 

We want this guide to help you navigate these systems and also build the power we need to change these systems and use local government to transform Stockton into a better home for us all. 

From the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to the Stockton City Council, the Stockton GovGuide explains the systems and the connections among them, but most importantly, how you can get involved in making Stockton a fair, flourishing place for everyone. 

Take the first step and read about the difference between County and City governments below.

What’s the difference between San Joaquin County and the City of Stockton and other municipal governments?

The most important thing to know in local government is the difference between the County and City governments.

The County government covers nearly 800,000 people and 7 different municipal governments which range in size from a few thousand (Escalon) to over 320,000 (City of Stockton). Even if you mostly deal with your local city’s officials and departments, it’s crucial to remember that the County Board of Supervisors still have a HUGE influence on your life. 

Departments:

• The Agricultural Commissioner enforces the provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code for the protection of the public's health, safety and welfare, and to promote and protect the agricultural industry.

• Assessor - Recorder - County Clerk maintains vital and public records and assesses all taxable property according to state laws and regulations.

• Auditor Controller safeguards and conserves taxpayers dollars.

• The Department of Child Support Services works with parents - custodial and noncustodial - and legally acknowledged guardians to ensure children and families receive court ordered financial and medical support.

• Community Development Department building inspection, planning/development services, neighborhood preservation, GIS mapping.

• Employment and Economic Development Department (SJC WorkNet) provides employment and training opportunities to job seekers in San Joaquin County by assisting them with accessing employment, education, training and support services required to succeed in the labor market. San Joaquin County WorkNet also supports our local Business community by assisting businesses in accessing the available resources and services that promote business growth and increase employment opportunities.

• The Environmental Health Department deals with solid and hazardous waste, public health, food and restaurant inspections, housing abatement, sanitation, environmental impact reports, recreational health, etc.

• The General Services Department has divisions that include facilities maintenance, property management, capital projects, and parks and recreation.

• Health Care Services has departments that include Behavioral Health Services, Mental Health, Public Guardian/Conservator, Substance Abuse, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health Services, Veterans’ Services, and Neighborhood Preservation.

• Human Services Agency programs include: California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Foster Care, CalFresh, General Assistance, Medi-Cal, Adoptions, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Refugee Assistance, and the Mary Graham Children’s Shelter.

• The Office of Emergency Services is the key disaster preparedness office of the County, and has direct responsibility to support and coordinate the efforts of County departments carrying out their functions in the field. To ensure a coordinated response to their disaster needs, OES also provides disaster information, logistical support, facilitates mutual aid requests, and facilitates inter-jurisdictional coordination with agencies from 7 cities, 120 special districts, and locally-based State and Federal agencies.

• The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the development and maintenance of all regional, community and neighborhood parks and facilities in San Joaquin County.

• The Probation Department identifies candidates for probation, recommends sanctions to be imposed, designs supervision plans for probationers, operates juvenile hall, provides a Probation Camp for juveniles, etc.

• The Department of Public Works services the county’s underground facilities, roadways, bridges, minor structures, solid waste facilities, project levees, channels, and special districts which provide water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and street lighting services.

The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services. In addition the County serves as the local government for all unincorporated areas. The county has a much larger budget at $1.9 billion. Compare that to the City of Stockton, which has a budget of just over $787 million.

Pro-Tip

Unincorporated towns are fully-fledged towns (or even small cities) that do not have their own local government. They tend to answer to the County, even though they do not have their own elected officials. As a result, they're bound by the County's laws.

All seven (7) cities within San Joaquin County, no matter how big or small, have power over housing and building, planning, zoning, and development. They manage how streets, parking, sidewalks, streetlights, and even local transportation departments function. The big ones have their own police, fire, parks, and library departments.

The City of Stockton is the heart of San Joaquin County, with a population of over 320,000 persons. It operates police and fire departments, libraries, public works, parks, sanitation disposal, street services and more in addition to housing and planning departments.

The Stockton Metropolitan Airport is operated by the County government.

The Port of Stockton is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners; four commissioners are appointed by the City of Stockton and three commissioners appointed by San Joaquin County. The Board establishes policies under which the Port's staff, supervised by the Port Director, conducts its daily operations.

To overgeneralize, the County is responsible for social services to people while the cities are responsible for shaping the physical landscape. But really the answer to whether something is the City’s responsibility or the County’s is usually “it depends.” Often the answer is different depending on which city you’re in and whether they’ve contracted out certain functions to the County. Or the answer is both. For example, on the issue of homelessness, where cities deal with shelter and housing issues while the County is mostly responsible for services and there’s a joint County-wide Homelessness Task Force was established by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2017 which includes members from state and local government, homeless service providers, and various service organizations.

Ask questions! The best way to gain knowledge is to consult with community advocates to get their insights.

You can also reach out to your local representatives at both the city and county level.

The more time you invest in advocating for your values and interests, the more you’ll learn about how government works, how power works, and how you can be effective. You just need to take the plunge!

Start learning about San Joaquin County Government by reading onwards.

PAGE LAST UPDATED: 11/13/2023

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