Redondo Beach is a full-service city with its own police, fire and public works departments, two public libraries, a performing arts center, fifteen parks, thirteen parkettes, a large recreational and commercial harbor including King Harbor, a 1,500-slip private craft port; the Redondo Beach Pier and Seaside Lagoon; and a bathing and surfing beach.

Located in the choice coastal edge of Los Angeles County, just twenty miles from downtown Los Angeles and seven miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, Redondo Beach has been a preferred resort destination for more than a century and one of the most desirable areas to live in the country. The City’s population has been slowly, but steadily growing in the past few years. As of January 2000, the Census reports a total population of 63,261.

Significant concentrations of employment and retail activity include the northern industrial complex anchored by the Northrop Grumman Corporation campus; the Harbor/Pier area; the Galleria at South Bay–-a regional mall anchoring the east end of the City; and an eclectic mix of specialty shops, restaurants and services known as the Riviera Village area in the south end of the City.

Redondo Beach is a “charter city” governed by a council-manager form of government. The Mayor is elected at large, and one Council Member is elected from each of the five City districts. The Mayor and Council appoint the City Manager as the chief administrative officer of the City to guide day-to-day operations.

The City’s budget (General Fund appropriations) for Fiscal Year 2006-07 is $67,737,995. Approximate per capita expenditures are $919 per year. The City employs a workforce of 577 full-time equivalent positions.