Here’s a detailed look at the government structure and key institutions in Barstow, California, with relevant URLs.
Official Website: City of Barstow – Government (barstowca.org)
Barstow is a general law city, meaning it follows California state law rather than operating under its own city charter. (barstowca.org)
It uses a council–manager system: the City Council (elected) sets policy, and the City Manager runs daily operations. (barstowca.org)
According to the city’s organizational data, Barstow employs around 126 staff to run its departments. (barstowca.org)
Vision: “A progressive High Desert community … small-town advantages …” (barstowca.org)
Mission: Focus on quality public services, economic development, housing, recreation, and honoring the city’s history. (barstowca.org)
The City Council is the legislative body. It has five members: four councilmembers plus the mayor. (barstowca.org)
Terms are four years, and elections are staggered (some seats every two years). (barstowca.org)
Councilmembers must be city residents and registered voters. (barstowca.org)
City Council Page: Barstow City Council (barstowca.org)
Council Members: List of current council members (including mayor) is available. (barstowca.org)
Rochelle Clayton is the current City Manager. (barstowca.org)
Her role: Oversees all city departments, implements Council policy, manages the daily running of the city. (barstowca.org)
Contact point: (760) 255-5195 per City Manager page. (barstowca.org)
City Manager Page: Barstow City Manager (barstowca.org)
The City Clerk’s Office manages municipal records, city council minutes, ordinances, and public records requests. (barstowca.org)
It also handles business licensing, transient occupancy taxes, and certification of official documents. (barstowca.org)
Office Location: City Hall, 220 E. Mountain View St, Suite A, Barstow, CA 92311 (barstowca.org)
Clerk Contact: (760) 255-5122. (barstowca.org)
Michael Lewis serves as Barstow’s City Treasurer. (barstowca.org)
His responsibilities include oversight of city investments, debt, and financial strategy. (barstowca.org)
Treasurer Page: City Treasurer – Barstow (barstowca.org)
The Barstow Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) was established in 2009 to let teens (ages 12–18) advise the City Council. (barstowca.org)
Functions: Advocating youth concerns, participating in volunteer activities, engaging with city issues. (barstowca.org)
BYAC Page: Youth Advisory Council – Barstow (barstowca.org)
Contact: City Clerk’s Office, (760) 255-5122, at City Hall. (barstowca.org)
Barstow’s municipal government is divided into several core departments to manage its public services. Key ones include: (barstowca.org)
Community Development
Community Services
Finance
Fire Protection District
Police
Public Works
Planning
You can find a full directory on the city’s site: City Departments – Barstow (barstowca.org)
The City Directory provides important phone numbers for departments. (barstowca.org)
For emergencies: 9-1-1
Non-emergency contacts include:
Police Department: (760) 256-2211 (barstowca.org)
Fire Protection: via the Fire Department number (on city directory) (barstowca.org)
Public Works, Planning, Finance, etc.: all listed in the directory. (barstowca.org)
Barstow’s governing structure is designed to balance democratic input (City Council) with professional management (City Manager).
The City Manager, Rochelle Clayton, plays a pivotal role in leading the administrative functions of the city.
Youth participation is formalized through the BYAC, giving young residents a real voice in local government.
City Clerk and Treasurer offices are important pillars for financial transparency and record-keeping.
With 126 staff, Barstow’s government is relatively small but covers a broad range of city services.
If you like, I can also pull up county-level government (San Bernardino County) representation and how it interacts with Barstow’s city government. Do you want me to include that?
City Website (Main Government Page): City of Barstow – Government
Translation of Website