Oakland has a strong-mayor form of government, with the mayor and eight council members elected to four-year terms. The mayor appoints a city administrator to carry out its policies. In 2004, voters approved Measure P which altered the city charter permanently by changing the city manager position to a "city administrator" who reports to the mayor.
Head Official: Mayor Jerry Brown (since 1998; current term expires 2006)
Total Number of City Employees: 5,044 (2002)
City Information: City of Oakland, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612; telephone (510)444-CITY