January 9, 2025
MEMORANDUM
To: City Managers and City Clerks
From: League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman Subject: 2025 League of California Cities Membership Dues Invoice ___________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for your city’s membership in Cal Cities. We achieved so much together in 2024 by partnering to ensure the strength and resiliency of our diverse cities in the face of our state’s difficult economic times. We know your city’s financial resources are not unlimited, and we greatly value your city’s contribution to ensuring California city leaders and cities are strong today and tomorrow.
Achieving Strong Results
Accompanying your city’s 2025 membership dues invoice is the League of California Cities 2024 Annual Report. Together, we proactively advocated for resources and drove policies that were member-informed and grounded in the voices and experiences of cities.
The value and benefits your city gains from belonging to Cal Cities makes supporting Cal Cities a wise investment. A customized “Return on Investment” report for your city is also enclosed. This report summarizes the significant financial benefits your city receives as a direct result of Cal Cities’ advocacy. As you can see, the value of your participation in Cal Cities is many multiples of the annual dues payment. Equally important, the value of membership provides elected and appointed city officials in your city the ability to engage in meaningful policy discussions, pertinent educational workshops and relevant networking opportunities.
Advancing the Mission
Today, as in 1898 when California cities first came together to protect their common interests, Cal Cities serves as the leading voice for cities across California. Working in concert with 477 member cities, partners, and coalition supporters, protecting and expanding local decision-making through advocacy and education remains the cornerstone of Cal Cities activities.
In 2024, Cal Cities thwarted bills that threatened local revenue streams and led a robust opposition campaign in blocking a dangerous ballot measure that presented an existential threat to local funding for local services. Cal Cities partnered successfully with the Legislature to get funding that helps cities prevent and reduce homelessness restored in the final state budget package. Cal Cities also played a leading role in advancing a $10 billion climate bond and new laws to keep our communities safe by holding repeat retail theft offenders accountable and helping prevent the deadly spread of fentanyl.
With timely, cutting-edge topics, Cal Cities also welcomed high levels of engagement from city officials at our events and flagship conferences that were hosted in communities around the state and virtually.
In 2025, Cal Cities will again be a vital resource for your community. We look forward to partnering with you to elevate the voice of city leadership through our advocacy in the Legislature and the courts on these priorities identified by our members:
• Protect local revenues and expand economic development tools. • Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness. • Strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure.
• Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing.
Membership Remains Affordable
Under the Cal Cities bylaws, annual membership dues are based on city population as set forth by the California Department of Finance.
Balancing the fiscal impact on cities with the key role membership dues play in sustaining Cal Cities’ strong operations, the Cal Cities Board authorized a 3% adjustment to the dues schedule for 2025. This decision reflects the Board’s commitment to membership while ensuring adequate funding to support Cal Cities’ advocacy and program activities.
In addition, consistent with Board policy, Cal Cities maintains a Litigation Contingency Reserve Account (LCRA) funded through an optional voluntary surcharge set as a percentage of dues. Reviewed annually by the Board, the LCRA is intended to (1) cover expenses incurred from board-approved litigation within a single budget year; and (2) maintain sufficient set-asides to cover expenses Cal Cities would incur if the organization becomes, or remains involved in, board-approved litigation during the following year. Fully funded for 2024, contributions to the optional voluntary litigation surcharge are not required and are shown as a zero on the enclosed invoice.
California Cities Are Stronger Together
Through Cal Cities, all cities and all city officials have the opportunity to help shape vital solutions to the issues of greatest importance to our cities and the state of California.
On behalf of Cal Cities Officers and Board, I encourage your enthusiastic support of and participation in the League of California Cities during 2025 and beyond. Together, we build even stronger cities and a more vibrant California.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact Steve Maciel, Chief Financial Officer at [email protected] or 916-658-8277.
Enclosures: Dues invoice
Dues schedule
Return on Investment Report
Membership Benefits
2023 Annual Report
I N V O I C E
To:
City Manager
City of San Pablo
1000
Gateway Ave
San Pablo, CA
94806-3722
Invoice: INV-26723-Q4B7V2
Terms: Feb. 28, 2025
Date
Description
Amount
01/2025
Membership dues for calendar year 2025
$14,798.00
Optional litigation surcharge
$0.00
Total Amount
$14,798.00
City of San Pablo
Official Population: 31,088
2025 Advocacy Priorities
·
Protect local revenues and expand economic development tools. ·
Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness. ·
Strengthen and modernize critical infrastructure.
·
Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing.
Our mission is to expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Cal Cities Membership - Your Best Investment
www.calcities.org
Please make checks payable to
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
1400 K Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, California 95814-3916
1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814
·
916.658.8200
·
calcities.org
2024 Dues
2025
Increase 2025 Dues
1 to 500 - - - 89 $3 $92
501 to 600 - - - 234 7 241
601 to 700 - - - 467 14 481
701 to 800 - - - 511 15 526
801 to 900 - - - 612 18 630
901 to 1,000 - - - 718 22 740
1,001 to 1,250 - - - 896 27 923
1,251 to 1,500 - - - 1,076 32 1,108
1,501 to 1,750 - - - 1,255 38 1,293
1,751 to 2,000 - - - 1,435 43 1,478
2,001 to 2,250 - - - 1,614 48 1,662
2,251 to 2,500 - - - 1,795 54 1,849
2,501 to 2,750 - - - 1,972 59 2,031
2,751 to 3,000 - - - 2,153 65 2,218
3,001 to 4,000 - - - 2,870 86 2,956
4,001 to 5,000 - - - 3,585 108 3,693
5,001 to 7,500 - - - 4,840 145 4,985
7,501 to 10,000 - - - 5,585 168 5,753
10,001 to 15,000 - - - 6,742 202 6,944
15,001 to 20,000 - - - 7,764 233 7,997
20,001 to 25,000 - - - 9,720 292 10,012
25,001 to 30,000 - - - 11,672 350 12,022
30,001 to 40,000 - - - 14,367 431 14,798
40,001 to 50,000 - - - 17,480 524 18,004
50,001 to 60,000 - - - 20,135 604 20,739
60,001 to 70,000 - - - 22,130 664 22,794
70,001 to 80,000 - - - 23,246 697 23,943
80,001 to 90,000 - - - 24,779 743 25,522
90,001 to 100,000 - - - 27,145 814 27,959 100,001 to 125,000 - - - 30,959 929 31,888 125,001 to 150,000 - - - 34,076 1,022 35,098 150,001 to 200,000 - - - 38,731 1,162 39,893 200,001 to 500,000 - - - 40,670 1,220 41,890 Plus 1941 58 1,999
per each full 10,000 of population over 200,001
500,001 to 640,000 - - - 98,720 2,962 101,682 Plus 1,793 54 1,847
per each full 10,000 of population over 500,001
Over 640,000 123,009 3,690 126,699
A bylaws provision states that no city's dues may increase by more than $5,000.
League of California Cities
2025 Dues Schedule
For cities having a population of:
SAN PABLO FY2020-21 FY2021-22 FY2022-23 FY2023-24 FY2024-25 Total SAN PABLO's Dues 10,682 10,682 13,949 14,367 14,798 64,478 VLF/Property Tax Swap (1) 871,430 1,010,680 959,955 1,240,907 1,363,316 5,446,289 Local Revenues protected by Prop. 22 (2) 707,819 662,637 797,132 899,922 915,260 3,982,770 SB89 VLF Shift -213,018 -215,251 -227,276 -229,237 -233,821 -1,118,604 SB1 Transportation Funds - Local Streets and Roads (3) 582,351 625,108 686,426 781,175 834,069 3,509,130 CARES Act 387,860 387,860
ARP Act 7,413,467 7,413,467
Total Return 2,336,443 9,496,640 2,216,237 2,692,768 2,878,824 19,620,912 Rate of Return 219:1 889:1 159:1 187:1 195:1 304:1
for cities through education and advocacy
to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
3. New Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds. SB1 HUTA growth included in Prop 22 line above. RMRA is also constitutionally protected.
2. Prop. 22 ended the Legislature's ability to borrow or delay HUTA and Prop. 42 gas tax funds. Also includes growth in HUTA from SB1 annual inflation adjustment. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP -- A GREAT INVESTMENT
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
Customized Return on Investment Report
December 2024
Our mission is to expand and protect local control
1. Net gain in revenues by virtue of the VLF/Property Tax Swap. Growth in Prop Tax in Lieu of VLF versus estimated growth in VLF had it remained.
Membership
Benefits
Engage in statewide advocacy campaigns to safeguard local control and secure resources for cities. Engage in one of Cal Cities’ 16 Regional Divisions. Work closely with Regional Public Affairs Managers and other local elected officials to develop region-specific programs, carry out grassroots activities, and share best practices.
Access Cal Cities’ robust advocacy and public affairs resources and engage in actions and events to collectively advocate for the issues that matter most to cities. Access the legal advocacy program that protects the interests of cities in matters before state and federal appellate courts by filing “friend-of-the-court” briefs. City attorneys are eligible to participate in the Legal Advocacy Committee and work closely with attorneys from across the state.
Receive timely updates, action alerts, and in-depth analyses on priority legislation impacting cities from subject-matter experts.
Serve on Cal Cities policy committees and help shape state and federal policy on issues affecting cities. Serve in leadership positions that help drive Cal Cities’ priorities and policy. Attend statewide Cal Cities conferences and events providing a wide range of learning opportunities for new and experienced city officials. *
Engage in one of Cal Cities’ ten professional departments where you can participate in educational and networking opportunities with your colleagues in similar city positions from across the state. Subscribe to the Cal Cities Advocate newsletter for breaking stories on legislative developments, as well as updates on conferences and education events, grant opportunities for cities, and more. Attend webinars to learn about the most pressing issues of the day as they develop — from broadband deployment and wildfires to rental assistance, and more. * Participate in virtual roundtable discussions with colleagues from across the state in member-driven conversations on key issues of shared concern.
Participate in policy briefings with state leaders.
Join a Cal Cities diversity caucus and connect with city officials who share common interests and issues. Receive recognition through one of many awards programs, including the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, the Mayors and City Council Members Torch Program, Local Streets and Roads, and division and department awards.
Share your knowledge of complex municipal issues or projects with other Cal Cities members by proposing sessions and presenting at conferences and events.
Participate on planning committees for conferences and events: Help plan and support conferences specific to your department.
Subscribe to Western City magazine, a monthly publication that analyzes broader statewide policy issues and highlights the innovative work of city officials from across the state. Elevate your city’s visibility: Be highlighted in Western City magazine, #LocalWorks, #CityVoices, and on social media.
Join listservs to exchange information with other Cal Cities members interested in a specific subject area. Participate in issue groups such as the Rural City Information Exchange and Coastal Cities Group. Participate in online communities: Post questions, provide resources to other cities, or poll colleagues on current issues in your field.
*Available at an additional cost for nonmembers.
Members Non-
members
Membership with Cal Cities comes with a wide range of benefits for elected city officials and city staff — from insider opportunities to help shape statewide policies of importance to your city, to unique networking and learning experiences that make our collective work more powerful and effective.
Mission
To expand and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
Vision
To be recognized and respected as the leading advocate for the common interests of California’s cities.
We Believe
• Local self-governance is the cornerstone of democracy. • Our strength lies in the unity of our diverse communities of interest. • In the involvement of all stakeholders in establishing goals and in solving problems. • In conducting the business of government with transparency, openness, respect, and civility. • The spirit of honest public service is what builds communities. • Open decision-making that is of the highest ethical standards honors the public trust. • Cities are vital to the strength of the California economy. • The vitality of cities is dependent upon their fiscal stability and local autonomy. • The active participation of all city officials increases Cal Cities’ effectiveness. • Partnerships and collaborations are essential elements of focused advocacy and lobbying. • Ethical and well-informed city officials are essential for responsive, visionary leadership and effective and efficient city operations.
Cal Cities Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs
calcities.org
Protecting cities’ interests in the Legislature, Governor’s Office, ballot box, and the courts is one of the primary benefits of Cal Cities membership. Member-driven and board-approved advocacy priorities drive Cal Cities’ work. Over the past year, those priorities included finding solutions to the homelessness and mental health crisis, addressing concerns about public safety, and protecting cities’ ability to fund basic services.
In 2023, Cal Cities tracked and engaged on 1,770 bills. Cal Cities had positions on 66 measures that made it to the Governor’s desk. He signed over 80% of the bills we asked him to sign and vetoed more than 40% of the ones we asked him to reject. On average, the Governor only vetoes 14% of the bills that come across his desk.
Cal Cities also partnered with legislators and others to sponsor 9 bills of importance to cities, five of which were signed by the Governor, a 55% signature rate.
Cal Cities played a pivotal role in several legal cases over the last year — including those related to meritless environmental lawsuits, hypodermic needle exchange programs, mitigation fees, encampments, and the ongoing SB 9 (Atkins, 2021) lawsuit. In 2023, Cal Cities filed 35 friend-of-the- court briefs in both state and federal courts to help advance cities’ collective legal interests.
2024
ANNUAL
REPORT
Influential. Underestimated. Powerful. Those are just a few of the words the media, members of the business
community, and legislators used to describe the League
of California Cities this year.
For 126 years, Cal Cities’ North Star continues to be our ability to uplift and amplify your collective voices to shape and influence good public policy outcomes for
cities. In the last year, like the many that came before, we relied on a “whole of Cal Cities” advocacy approach, leveraging our united voice in the courts, at the ballot box, and in the Legislature to ensure cities have enough tools in the toolbox to tailor solutions to the challenges their communities face.
We led a robust opposition campaign that blocked
the dangerous Taxpayer Deception Act, a ballot
measure that posed an existential threat to local
funding that supports local services. We mobilized cities to fight against an unfunded mandate that places
severe restrictions on new or expanding warehouses.
We successfully pushed back against the Governor’s
proposal to reduce funding that helps cities prevent
and reduce homelessness and ensured it was restored
in the final budget package. We played a leading role
in advancing new laws to keep our communities safe
by holding repeat retail theft offenders and serious
drug traffickers accountable while incentivizing drug
treatment for those with serious addictions.
In all of Cal Cities’ advocacy achievements this year, city officials stand out as the secret sauce of our success: They are the problem solvers at the local
level who know what their communities
need. Their engagement is a spark that
ignites our work and drives results.
In 2024, we also came together to
learn and grow. With timely, cutting-
edge topics, Cal Cities’ virtual events
and flagship conferences welcomed
high levels of engagement from city
officials throughout the state.
Looking ahead to 2025, we will stay
laser-focused on the work prioritized by
our members, including our organizational diversity goals.
We have reinvigorated the Advancing Equity Advisory
Committee to support cities seeking to strengthen their capacity to eliminate racial disparities, heal racial
divisions, and build more equitable communities.
Our success would not have been possible without the
dedicated and committed 2023-24 Cal Cities Officers and Board members, city officials from throughout the state, and the very talented Cal Cities staff.
I am honored to present the 2024 Annual Report, which
captures our collective achievements this past year.
Message from Executive Director and CEO
| 1 |
Carolyn M. Coleman
Executive Director and CEO
League of California Cities
League of California Cities
| 2 |
Cal Cities represents the voice of our
cities, the voice of our residents. Those
issues that are the most important, we’re
able to make sure that those needs of our
residents are met through our advocacy
and through our education.
Karen Goh
Mayor, Bakersfield
Cal Cities Board Member
“
2023-24 Cal Cities Board of Directors
To expand and protect local
control for cities through
education and advocacy
to enhance the quality of
life for all Californians.
To be recognized and
respected as the leading
advocate for the common
interests of California’s cities.
MISSION
VISION
2024 Annual Report
Who we are
Cal Cities serves thousands
of city officials and staff...
► Mayors and Council
Members
► City Managers
► City Attorneys
► City Clerks
► Fire Chiefs
► Fiscal Officers
► Human Resources
Directors
► Planning Commissioners
► Police Chiefs
► Public Works Officers
| 3 |League of California Cities
| 4 |
Public Safety
When it comes to public safety,
no one knows better than local
leaders what their communities need.
In a complete turnabout from 2023,
lawmakers and the Governor finally
listened to city voices and advanced a
10-bill package seeking to address the
rise in retail theft. Combined with the
incredibly strong voter support behind
the Cal Cities-supported Proposition 36,
these measures will establish tough new
penalties to combat retail theft and slow
the deadly spread of fentanyl.
Cities are the engines of the
state’s economy, and in 2024,
Cal Cities blocked several bills that
threatened local revenue streams. Cal
Cities halted an effort to exempt new
accessory dwelling units from property tax
assessments and stopped a bill prohibiting
cities from entering new sales tax rebate
agreements with retailers. Cal Cities
also convened a diverse group of city
managers to study Bradley-Burns sales tax
reform and develop recommendations
that equitably benefit all cities, further
fiscal sustainability, and strengthen the
viability of the sales tax.
Local revenues
Cal Cities supported the expansion
of access to new behavioral
health funding, services, and housing
through Proposition 1, which voters passed
in March 2024. We also worked with
lawmakers to restore essential funding cut
by the Governor that helps cities address
homelessness. At Cal Cities’ urging, the
Governor signed two sponsored bills that
hold recovery homes accountable for
high-quality treatment and care. Cal Cities
also helped block or modify dozens of top-
down housing bills, including one that would
have forced cities to approve all office-to-
residential conversions and exempted the
conversions from certain fees.
Housing and homelessness
Legislative advocacy
Cal Cities works with lawmakers, the Governor’s Office, and other organizations to advance member-driven and advocacy priorities. Cal Cities also leverages the collective power of city voices to push back against bills that take away local control and add unnecessary bureaucracy. Together, we elevate Cal Cities as the leading voice for California cities.
Cal Cities advanced important
work this year on climate change.
Cal Cities supported and voters approved a
$10 billion climate bond that will bring sorely
needed resources to cities. The Governor
also signed two Cal Cities-supported bills
that will make it easier for cities to meet the
state’s organic waste mandate. Cal Cities
helped secure flexibility in the state’s new
long-term water savings rule and craft sea
level rise guidance.
Climate change
2024 Annual Report
| 5 |
“
Cal Cities recognized early what an existential threat
the Taxpayer Deception Act was for cities and acted
decisively to educate and mobilize members to
oppose it. We organized in the Legislature; we had a
proactive ground game throughout the state — and
we made the case to the California Supreme Court
for how this would dramatically erode city services
and hurt our residents. We used every tool at our
disposal to successfully defeat this measure. We are
stronger together and I’m so proud of what we can
achieve when we unify behind a common focus.
Jim Lewis
City Manager, City of Atascadero
Cal Cities Board Member
Defeating the Taxpayer
Deception Act
Cal Cities led a powerful coalition to stop the Taxpayer Deception Act (TDA), a dangerous ballot measure that
could have decimated city services. Cal Cities launched an aggressive, three-pronged strategy to fight the measure in the courts, before the Legislature, and at the ballot box.
Ultimately, the California Supreme Court found the measure unconstitutional, and it was not placed on the November ballot. But either way, Cal Cities was ready. Working with city officials across the state, Cal Cities raised the alarm bells and worked with the Legislature to bring forward a measure that could have potentially blocked the TDA on the ballot.
Cal Cities will be vigilant in monitoring for any effort to bring back the TDA in 2026.
League of California Cities
Cal Cities tracked and
engaged on 1,274 bills. Cal
Cities had positions on 79
measures that made it to
the Governor’s desk. The
Governor sided with Cal
Cities nearly 55% of the time.
By the numbers...
Fighting for city interests Legal advocacy
Our legal advocacy program provides cities with unparalleled representation in the state and federal courts. For Cal Cities to weigh in, cities should agree on the preferred outcome and no city should be adversely affected by its efforts. This year, Cal Cities didn’t just join forces with the
Governor, Legislature, and other local
government associations to block the
dangerous Taxpayer Deception Act.
It weighed in on other crucial cases,
including:
Some legislative fights in the Capitol are over before they’ve started. Some can last years. One yearslong battle for Cal Cities has involved the location of warehouses in local communities.
This year’s bill, AB 98, places major, one-size-fits-all restrictions on local authority over the siting of new or expanding warehouses.
After months of closed-door negotiations, lawmakers jammed AB 98 through the Legislature in the last week of session.
Cal Cities was quick to act, mobilizing city officials from throughout the state to flood their lawmakers and the Governor with opposition letters and calls. Cal Cities hosted a virtual press conference with city officials and business leaders urging the Governor to veto the measure and launched a robust digital media campaign that reached nearly 300,000 people across Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter. Although the Governor signed the flawed legislation, Cal Cities’ vigorous defense secured commitments from lawmakers to work together on
clean-up legislation that addresses cities’ top concerns.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued
a decision in Johnson v. City
of Grants Pass that reversed
a ruling prohibiting public camping
ordinances. The decision provides
much-needed legal clarity and returns a vital tool that cities can use to compassionately address homelessness.
The California Supreme
Court handed charter
cities a major win in City of
Redondo Beach et al. v.
Rob Bonta, et al. Cal Cities argued
land use and zoning regulations
are municipal affairs and that SB
9 (Atkins, 2021) deprived charter
cities of their home rule authority.
Over 240 cities opposed the bill
when lawmakers sent it to Gov.
Gavin Newsom.
The California Supreme Court issued an opinion in
Stone v. Alameda Health System , concluding that the
Legislature intended to exempt public employers from
certain Labor Code provisions. The court’s opinion
referenced the amicus brief Cal Cities filed with other local government associations.
Cal Cities partnered with
legislators and others
to sponsor 13 bills of
importance to cities. The
Governor signed 4 of the 7
bills that were sent to his desk.
Cal Cities filed 33 friend-of-the-
court briefs in both state and
federal courts to help advance
cities’ collective legal interests.
Nearly 450 local leaders
engaged in Cal Cities
committees to shape
policy positions central
to our advocacy.
2024 Annual Report
Meeting our members where
they are — and connecting
them to each other
At Cal Cities, we often talk about our ground game: listening to what is happening in our cities, identifying common
issues, and mobilizing our members to lobby lawmakers both in the Capitol and in their communities. Our ground game is only possible because of the member-led leadership of the 16 regional divisions. The divisions represent the priorities of millions of residents, and when city leaders use their voices in Sacramento, lawmakers really listen.
Our regional divisions are more than advocacy. They are also about connecting. Through regular meetings and
activities, members build relationships with leaders from nearby cities. These connections help officials collaborate and share best practices to solve common challenges.
Cal Cities’ five diversity caucuses and 10 municipal
departments also bring together city leaders to work
together on common issues and grow their networks with
city officials who share similar concerns. These strong connections yield results. This year, thousands of city officials joined member-driven, issue-based roundtables on issues as diverse as needle exchange programs, housing element compliance, and homeless encampments.
By the numbers...
| 7 |
More than 4,000 city officials
attended 74 regional division
events this year to hear from
Cal Cities, state leaders,
and others on diverse topics
important to their regions.
Cal Cities hosted 10 conferences
with nearly 5,500 city leaders from
California in attendance. The 2024
Annual Conference and Expo had
its largest gathering since 2015!
7,000 city leaders joined 66 roundtable
discussions and webinars on priority
legislation, organic waste and recycling,
mental health, and more.
League of California Cities
I really love coming to Cal Cities’ annual conference. It’s a time to meet with other cities, talk about some of the problems you might be having in your city, and find solutions.
This is something that my entire council looks forward to every year. We get so much out of it: wonderful networking, we have fun, and we learn. It’s worth every dime.
City leaders sharing and
helping each other improve
their communities
Cal Cities’ Annual Conference and Expo in Long Beach
this year drew over 2,300 attendees and 239 exhibitors — including 65 new exhibitors — from throughout the state.
This highly anticipated event is where members hear
directly from city officials about how they are solving local issues. Local leaders also connect with a wide range of service providers that help cities meet the ever-changing needs of their communities.
The City Leaders Summit brought more than 330 city officials to Sacramento to advocate for state policy decisions that impact cities and hone their leadership skills. City leaders received policy briefings on need-to-know topics — like threats to fiscal sustainability, redistricting, and artificial intelligence — in between over 50 meetings with lawmakers to discuss the most pressing issues affecting their cities.
Cal Cities’ eight other flagship department conferences provide an unparalleled opportunity for city leaders to step back from their day-to-day duties and explore local solutions to statewide problems.
Supporting cities to stay on the
cutting-edge
Cal Cities is continually exploring new opportunities to ensure our members have what they need not just for today, but for decades to come. Our partnerships with two joint power authorities — the California Statewide Community Development Authority, a bond financing authority, and California Class, a pooled investment program — are prime examples of how we are already supporting cities.
This year, Cal Cities launched a new cybersecurity and
technology service powered by VC3 to help cities respond to the growing cybersecurity threats facing local governments.
VC3’s municipal-focused services can help cities secure and modernize their IT services.
Tamala Kelly
Mayor Pro Tem
Monrovia
“
| 9 |
Amplifying city voices
City and town leaders throughout California are committed to uplifting their communities, driving solutions, and delivering vital services to residents. Cal Cities prioritizes bringing attention to these efforts, ensuring that local voices are central to conversations among state and federal lawmakers, the media, and the public.
Cal Cities utilizes both news media and social media to share powerful stories about how cities are making a difference in the lives of California residents. In 2024, Cal Cities’ #LocalWorks initiative highlighted how cities are meeting today’s challenges, including homelessness, inadequate housing supply, public safety, and climate change. These stories were highlighted on Cal Cities’ Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts, as well as in Cal Cities’ two flagship publications, Western City, a monthly digital magazine, and Cal Cities Advocate, a weekly subscriber newsletter. Cal Cities Advocate is a weekly one-stop-shop for city leaders, delivering timely legislative updates and key details on upcoming conferences and events, grant opportunities, and more.
Cal Cities celebrated cities
during California Cities Week,
April 14-20, to recognize and
appreciate the many ways
that our diverse cities make life
better for all Californians. Cal
Cities also amplified the voices
and stories of city officials by
honoring 23 individuals and their
contributions during heritage
months throughout the year.
“
Cal Cities advocacy has been essential in how we are
able to run successfully as a city by making us aware of pending legislation, and [giving us] messaging and who
to talk to for bills that are coming down the pipeline.
Peggy Flynn, City Manager, Petaluma
League of California Cities
By the numbers...
Cal Cities appeared in 2,240
news stories, sharing the city
perspective and advancing local
priorities. That’s a 32% increase in
press coverage from last year!
10 Helen Putnam Award for
Excellence winning cities:
Benicia, Brisbane, Citrus
Heights, Concord, Goleta,
Livermore, Modesto (three
awards), Moreno Valley,
Vacaville, and
Watsonville, will be
featured in Western
City magazine.
Cal Cities featured 31 cities
in #LocalWorks — stories
of local actions that are
making a difference to
California communities.
More than 120 cities
and city officials were
featured on Cal Cities’
social media channels.
In 2024, Cal Cities enhanced and strengthened relationships with the media to shape important conversations in the news on issues vital to our cities. As a result, Cal Cities and the voices of cities were featured in several regional publications and prominent statewide media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, CalMatters, and Politico. Strong media coverage was key to our successful advocacy efforts. Two weeks following the placement of an op-ed in the Voice of OC penned by La Palma Mayor and Cal Cities Board Member Marshall Goodman on the importance of recovery housing reforms, the Governor signed into law two Cal Cities-sponsored bills that will provide more oversight on recovery housing facilities and hold bad actors accountable.
“
The reason why the League of California Cities is so
effective is that we’re stronger together. That when cities across our state, cities large and small, come together with one voice, we can drive an agenda that improves
the lives of the people in our cities.
Todd Gloria, Mayor, San Diego
Cal Cities Board Member
2024 Annual Report
The Cal Cities team
Supported by a staff of over 70, Cal
Cities is the leading advocate and
premier educational resource for
California cities and their leaders.
Strengthening cities through advocacy and education
1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org The Cal Cities 2023-24 Board of Directors
Officers
Daniel Parra, Mayor, Fowler, President
Lynne Kennedy, Mayor Pro Tem, Rancho Cucamonga
First Vice President
Gabe Quinto, Council Member, El Cerrito, Second
Vice President
Ali Sajjad Taj, Mayor Pro Tem, Artesia, Immediate
Past President
Carolyn M. Coleman, Executive Director and CEO
Directors
Teresa Acosta, Council Member, Carlsbad, At-Large
Ashleigh Aitken, Mayor, Anaheim, Large City
Walter Allen III, Council Member, Covina, At-Large
Jan Arbuckle, Mayor, Grass Valley, At-Large
Al Austin, Council Member, Long Beach, Large
City Representative
Melanie Bagby, Council Member, Cloverdale, At-Large
Karen Bass, Mayor, Los Angeles, Large City
Scott Bauer, Council Member, Eureka, Redwood
Empire Division
LaTanya Bellow, Assistant City Manager, Berkeley,
Personnel and Employee Relations Department
Priya Bhat-Patel, Mayor Pro Tem, Carlsbad,
Women’s Caucus
James Bozajian, Council Member, Calabasas,
Los Angeles County Division
Andrew Chou, Council Member, Diamond Bar, At-Large
David Cohen, Council Member, San Jose, Large
City Representative
Karen Comstock, Mayor Pro Tem, Chino, Inland
Empire Division
Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, San Luis Obispo, City Attorneys Department
Alice Dowdin Calvillo, Council Member, Auburn,
Sacramento Valley Division
Jerry Dyer, Mayor, Fresno, Large City
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor, Alameda, East Bay Division Neysa Fligor, Council Member, Los Altos, Peninsula Division Todd Gloria, Mayor, San Diego, Large City
Karen Goh, Mayor, Bakersfield, Large City
Marshall Goodman, Mayor, La Palma, At-Large
Rene Guerrero, Director of Public Works, Pomona,
Public Works Department
Mike Healy, Council Member, Petaluma, North Bay Division Britt Huff, Council Member, Rolling Hills Estates, At-Large Randi Johl, Legislative Director/City Clerk, Temecula,
City Clerks Department
Dan Kalb, Council Member, Oakland, Large
City Representative
Lisa Kaplan, Council Member, Sacramento, Large
City Representative
Jim Lewis, City Manager, Atascadero, City
Managers Department
Ray Marquez, Council Member, Chino Hills, At-Large
Lisa Middleton, Council Member, Palm Springs, At-Large
John Minto, Mayor, Santee, San Diego County Division
Scott Nassif, Mayor, Apple Valley, Desert Mountain Division Eric Nelson, Planning Commissioner, Dana Point, Planning and Community Development Department
Kim Nguyen-Penaloza, Council Member, Garden Grove,
Orange County Division
Lori Ogorchock, Council Member, Antioch, Mayors and
Council Members Department
Jaime Patino, Council Member, Union City, At-Large
Dave Potter, Mayor, Carmel, Monterey Bay Division
Ana Maria Quintana, Vice Mayor, Bell, At-Large
Roberta Raper, Dir. of Finance & Technology,
West Sacramento, Fiscal Officers Department
Dana Reed,
Council Member, Indian Wells,
Riverside County Division
David Sander, Mayor, Rancho Cordova, NLC
Cindy Silva, Council Member, Walnut Creek, At-Large
Jeff Smith, Police Chief, Pismo Beach, Police Chiefs
Department
Dan Stefano, Fire Chief, Costa Mesa, Fire Chiefs Department Erica A. Stewart, Mayor, San Luis Obispo, Channel
Counties Division
Kuldip Thusu, Council Member, Dinuba, South San
Joaquin Valley Division
Racquel Vasquez, Mayor, Lemon Grove, African
American Caucus
Anna Velazquez, Mayor, Soledad, Latino Caucus
Malia Vella, Council Member, Alameda, API Caucus
Tyller Williamson, Mayor, Monterey, LGBTQ Caucus
Dan Wright, Council Member, Stockton, Central Valley Division The Cal Cities Board of Directors provides leadership and guidance, shaping state policy and the actions of the organization.