Cal Cities joins celebrations for California’s newest city: Mountain House

By Rachel Vincent, director of strategic communications and marketing

It's official: Mountain House is California's 483rd city. Cal Cities Executive Director Carolyn Coleman, along with city officials from at least six nearby cities, were among those rallying around their newest colleagues at the swearing-in ceremony on Monday night.

"There are literally thousands of city officials from throughout the state rooting for you, rooting for your success as you go forward," Coleman told Mayor Andy Su and four other newly minted city councilors: Bernice King Tingle, Ronna Green, Matt Disko, and Daniel Harrison.

Twenty years ago, Mountain House barely existed. Today, it is a booming, thriving community with lots of new housing, tree-lined streets, and other amenities - including a large public library.

"You've all worked very hard to get to this point," said Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. "This is a historic moment and a huge achievement."

San Joaquin County voters in March overwhelmingly elected to incorporate Mountain House. County Supervisor Robert Rickman reminded the standing-room-only crowd of family, friends, and city officials that this is all about local decision-making.

"I am all about local control, and this is what you have given your city and your residents - greater local control over what you want your city to be."

Mountain House now has more access to state and federal funding and will have more control over its land use, tax, and public safety decisions. The county will supply key essential services.

"We've come a long way since I moved here in 2004 and we had only about 1,000 people," said Mayor Su. "Now we are a bustling community of nearly 30,000 people. I've been fortunate to be part of this growth."

Jurupa Valley was the last California community to incorporate, 13 years ago.