The City Manager is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the City Council. The City Manager is responsible for the overall operations of the City, like a Chief Executive Officer in a private corporation.

Providing professional leadership, the City Manager's Office ensures City services, activities and facilities meet the policy objectives formulated by the City Council. The City Manager’s Office also develops recommendations and strategies to meet the current and future needs of the Mountain View community.

Mission Statement

The mission of the City Manager’s Office is to support the City Council in the development and execution of their goals and policies and provide leadership and guidance to City departments in the delivery of City services.

Through its four divisions (City Management, Communications and Outreach, Human Services, and Sustainability), the functions of the City Manager’s Office include:

• Leading strategic planning, organizational improvement efforts, and major cross-departmental initiatives. 
• Informing and engaging the community through outreach and communication activities in a range of formats and languages;
• Developing and implementing strategies to respond to homelessness and other human service needs;
• Building intergovernmental relationships and advocating for the City’s interests at the regional, state and federal level; and
• Developing policies and programs that promote resiliency and reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts.

City Manager Kimbra McCarthy

Kimbra McCarthy began her tenure as City Manager for the City of Mountain View in March 2020, reporting directly to the City Council and leading an organization of more than 650 employees. In her role, she is responsible for administration of daily operations and implementation of Council policies.

Kimbra has held various executive and leadership roles in local government throughout her career. Kimbra came to Mountain View from Redwood City, where she served as the Assistant City Manager, leading citywide policy initiatives and overseeing all administrative operations including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Revenue Services.

Kimbra returned to Mountain View after serving as Deputy City Manager from 2014-2016. Kimbra also held leadership roles at the County of Santa Barbara in the County Executive Office and the District Attorney’s Office.

Prior to entering government service, Kimbra worked in the legal field. Kimbra has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washburn University, a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law, and a Masters of Law in European Law from the University of Limerick, Ireland.

She is a member of the International City/County Management Association, where she currently serves on the Assistants and Deputies Advisory Board. Kimbra is also a member of the Housing, Community and Economic Development Policy Committee for the League of California Cities, as well as a member of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California, California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, and Women Leading Government. Kimbra and her husband Colin have one daughter.

Questions, Concerns, Compliments?

The City of Mountain View uses a 24/7 online customer relationship system, Ask Mountain View, to provide a way to submit questions, concerns, and compliments directly to the City staff or department who can help you.