The City of Waterford is a general law city that is governed by a five (5) member City Council. City Council Members are elected at large to 4 year terms and the Mayor is elected at large to a 2 year term. The City Council appoints the City Manager, who then appoints Department directors. The City employs 15 full-time employees and 3 part-time employees. The City contracts out for police services, building, planning, engineering and legal services adding another 20 employees to interact with. The City has a General Fund operating budget of approximately $3,000,000, and $10,000,000 overall. Incorporated in 1969, Waterford is a small dynamic agricultural community located in the eastern portion of Stanislaus County and adjacent to the Tuolumne River serving a population of approximately 8,500. This agricultural community boasts a friendly suburban vibe that reflects pride in its small-town atmosphere. The community has top ranked schools, a small but growing business community and is known as the “Gateway to Recreation” with award-winning river trails, area lakes and reservoirs nearby. The City limits cover 2.4 square miles.