The mayor of Elk Grove is Bobbie Singh-Allen, serving a two-year term that runs through December 2026. She first won the office in November 2020, was re-elected in 2022 with roughly two-thirds of the vote, and secured a third term in 2024.1City of Elk Grove. City Council Elk Grove uses a Council-Manager form of government, so while Singh-Allen presides over city council meetings and represents the city publicly, her vote counts the same as any of the four district council members.
Who Bobbie Singh-Allen Is
Singh-Allen became the first Punjabi-American to serve as Elk Grove’s mayor when she defeated the incumbent in November 2020.2CapRadio. Bobbie Singh-Allen Becomes Elk Groves Next Mayor and First Punjabi-American to Hold the Office Before running for mayor, she spent six years on the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees, one of the largest school districts in California. She first ran for the school board in 2012 after advocating for her son, who was being bullied at school.3The Sacramento Bee. How Consensus Builder Singh-Allen Plans to Govern Elk Grove Her professional background is in law and consulting.
What the Mayor Actually Does
Elk Grove has operated under a Council-Manager form of government since it incorporated on July 1, 2000.4City of Elk Grove. City Government Under this structure, the elected council sets policy and an appointed city manager runs the administrative side. The mayor sits at the top of the council politically, but not above it in voting power.
Presiding Over the Council
The mayor runs city council meetings, manages the agenda, and directs the flow of public testimony. When the council approves an ordinance, resolution, or contract, the mayor signs it on behalf of the city. Policy decisions, budgets, and ordinances still require a majority of the five-member council, and a 3-2 vote carries whether the mayor is in the majority or not.
Representing Elk Grove
Beyond city hall, the mayor represents Elk Grove on regional boards and commissions, taking part in Sacramento-area policy discussions on behalf of the city.
Working With the City Manager
The city manager is appointed by the council and serves as the chief administrative officer, responsible for running city departments, managing staff, and carrying out the policies the council adopts.4City of Elk Grove. City Government The mayor coordinates with the city manager on turning policy goals into operational plans but does not direct city employees or manage departments. That separation between policy and administration is the defining feature of the Council-Manager system.
How the Mayor Is Elected
Elk Grove voters choose the mayor through a direct, at-large election. Every registered voter in the city can vote for the position, regardless of which council district they live in.5Code Publishing Company. Elk Grove Municipal Code 1.02 – Municipal Elections The four council member seats work differently: those are elected by district, so only voters inside a given district pick that representative.
Each mayoral term is two years, and the election is held with the statewide general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. Council members serve four-year terms by comparison. Elk Grove’s municipal code imposes no term limits on the mayor, and Singh-Allen’s three consecutive terms confirm there is no cap on re-election.5Code Publishing Company. Elk Grove Municipal Code 1.02 – Municipal Elections
Who Can Run
California Government Code Section 34882 requires any candidate for a city’s legislative body, including the mayor, to be a registered voter of the city at the time nomination papers are issued and to reside within the relevant jurisdictional boundary.6California Legislative Information. California Code Government Code 34882 – Election of Legislative Body By or From Districts in Cities For the mayor, that boundary is the entire city, since the seat is at-large.5Code Publishing Company. Elk Grove Municipal Code 1.02 – Municipal Elections Because candidates must be registered voters, they must also be at least 18 and U.S. citizens. The City Clerk verifies eligibility at filing. Losing voter registration or moving outside the city during a term can forfeit the seat.
What the Job Pays
The mayor of Elk Grove earns a monthly salary of $2,550, the same rate paid to the district council members.7City of Elk Grove. Salary Schedule All Classes That comes to $30,600 a year. The position is not structured as a full-time job. Like most Council-Manager cities, Elk Grove expects elected officials to set direction while the city manager handles daily operations, and the pay reflects that part-time role.