John C. Zaragoza was elected Mayor of the City of Oxnard on November 3, 2020. His extensive public service experience includes serving three terms on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for the Fifth District from 2008 to 2020 and 12 years on the Oxnard City Council from 1996 to 2008.
John grew up in Oxnard, attending local schools. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of LaVerne. He lives in Oxnard with his wife, Mary Ellen, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Throughout his decades of service to the Oxnard community, John has been instrumental in forming partnerships and collaborating with other agencies and the private sector to bring projects to fruition. As County Supervisor, he played a key role in establishing the Nyeland Acres Center, which provides after school and family services. His efforts led to the County Board of Supervisors dedicating the John C. Zaragoza Community Park in honor of his advocacy for the Nyeland Acres community. He also raised funds to prevent the closure of McGrath State Beach.
As the Mayor of Oxnard, John has worked with his colleagues to implement the City Council’s 5-year priorities, resulting in significant investments in infrastructure, including street restorations, and the proper maintenance of parks, sidewalks, and medians.
The Council remains committed to improving Oxnard’s long-term fiscal sustainability and has achieved positive results. Over the past five years, the City has transitioned from facing a $9.2 million structural budget deficit to adopting a balanced budget with a general fund surplus of $35 million.
Thanks to the policy direction of the Council and its implementation by City staff, the Council’s Economic Development priorities have been strengthened through the City’s collaboration with West Ventura County Business Alliance and Oxnard College to develop a pipeline of good, qualified workers to support the great businesses in Oxnard.