About Mesa ...
Welcome to Mesa, Arizona – a city with a progressive vision for the future.  Mesa is a rapidly growing city of over 450,000 (Mesa’s population is expected to reach 567,000 by 2020), and is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Mesa offers a quality urban experience supported by a diversified economic base, educational institutions of excellence, professional local government, sophisticated infrastructure, and a superior workforce. Mesa takes pride in its progressive growth and pro-business attitude, and is still pursuing an aggressive economic strategy.

The City provides a full range of municipal services including police and fire protection, parks and recreation, libraries, transportation, neighborhood outreach and general administration. In addition, the City owns and operates several enterprises including the operation of electricity, gas, water, wastewater, solid waste, aquatics, museums, airports, golf courses, and a community center.

CITY GOVERNMENT - Mesa operates under charter form of government with citizens electing a mayor and six council members to set policy for the City. In 1998, a voter initiative was approved that changed the way Council members are elected from an at-large to a district system.  Six districts were created and in March 2000, the first three district council members were elected in Districts 1,2, and 3. In 2002, Districts 4,5, and 6 elected their first district council members.

Mesa’s council members serve terms of four years, with three members being elected every two years.  The mayor is elected at-large every four years.  The mayor and council are elected on a non-partisan basis.  The vice mayor is selected by the City Council. The Mesa City Council believes that its people, not leaders, are what makes a City great and actively works to encourage citizen participation in the decision making process.  Whether through neighborhood meetings, advisory boards and committees, telephone calls, and letters, or electronic mail through the World Wide Web, the Mesa City Council sets policies based on the input and needs of its citizens.

MESA BY THE NUMBERS                                              
Founded 1878                                                                 
Incorporated  July 1883                                                           
Elevation  1,241 feet  
Land Area  170.7 square miles