El Centro, CA town hall & government
El Centro spent $257.6 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $5,909 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach El Centro's government.
Who runs El Centro
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Coming up at El Centro's town hall
- Oct 6Tue · 3:30 pmCity CouncilCANCELLED - City Council MeetingCity Hall Council Chambers, 1275 Main Street Meeting page ↗
- Oct 13Tue · 5:30 pmPlanning CommissionCouncil Chambers, 1275 W. Main Street Meeting page ↗
- Oct 20Tue · 3:30 pm
- Nov 3Tue · 3:30 pm
- Nov 5Thu · 9:00 am
- Nov 10Tue · 5:30 pmPlanning CommissionCouncil Chambers, 1275 W. Main Street Meeting page ↗
Recent meetings
- Sep 15Tue · 3:30 pm
- Sep 8Tue · 5:30 pmPlanning CommissionCouncil Chambers, 1275 W. Main Street Agenda ↗Meeting page ↗
- Sep 1Tue · 3:00 pm
- Aug 18Tue · 2:30 pm
- Aug 11Tue · 5:30 pmPlanning CommissionCouncil Chambers, 1275 W. Main Street Agenda ↗Minutes ↗Meeting page ↗
- Aug 4Tue · 6:00 pm
- Aug 4Tue · 2:30 pm
- Jul 21Tue · 3:30 pm
Official listings from El Centro's agenda portal ↗, checked daily. Times are local. Agendas can change up to the meeting, so check the portal before you go.
Where El Centro's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 71%
- Sales taxes 11%
- From the federal government 6%
- Utility sales 4%
- From the state 4%
- Property taxes 3%
- Interest, fines & other 1%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for El Centro
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Central Union High School District
El Centro's high school district, shared with Imperial. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 15%
- State 74%
- Federal 11%
Of the $20,868 per pupil, $12,223 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving El Centro: El Centro Elementary School District ($20,338 per pupil) · McCabe Union Elementary School District ($15,312 per pupil) · Meadows Union Elementary School District ($23,395 per pupil).
Which schools El Centro kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in El Centro pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact El Centro's government
Who represents El Centro
El Centro is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Raul Ruiz. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.