Mayor Christina Fugazi stressed one key point at Stockton’s 2026 State of the City address: “Stockton is ready” for growth and opportunities.
The mayor framed most of what’s been done to get Stockton ready over the last year since her previous address as having happened quietly behind-the-scenes.
“That is what I really want to talk about today: the work. Not the slogan, not the headline, definitely not what’s on social media, but plain and simple, the work,” Fugazi said from the stage at the Adventist Health Arena Tuesday afternoon.
Each year, Stockton’s mayors have historically used the State of the City to tout the city’s progress over the last fiscal year, which in Stockton runs from July through June.
Tuesday’s soiree marked Fugazi’s second address as mayor and wrapped up a year filled with change and conflict at City Hall.
The mayor’s State of the City speech focused primarily on Stockton’s grit and preparedness for economic growth, while acknowledging its continued struggle with public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, opportunities for youth and other issues.
“Stockton is a city of extraordinary assets,” Fugazi said. “A working port … a strategic location, a young and diverse workforce, strong neighborhoods, regional transportation corridors, and a spirit of resilience that has defined this community for generations.”
During the address, the mayor played four short videos highlighting Stockton’s history, present, emergency responders, and new hires and opportunities.
Among the city assets shown were the continued opening of public pools; downtown Stockton’s Carol and Henry Zeiter Navigation Center for unhoused residents; and groundwater collection at the city’s water treatment plant.
As Fugazi shared facts and figures about Stockton’s accomplishments, woven throughout her speech was the assertion that the work behind those accomplishments may have gone unnoticed.
“Most of that work doesn’t go viral, but it matters,” Fugazi said.
Among the figures Fugazi highlighted was the city’s repair of more than 1,000 streetlights and filling-in of over 25,000 potholes. On the public safety front, she said that 2026 has had 43% fewer homicides so far than at the same time last year.
“Please do not believe the narrative that crime is out of control, because the numbers tell a different story,” Fugazi said.
Amid her discussion of crime, the mayor remarked specifically on her support for the Stockton Police Department’s use of the Flock Safety drone program, which drew criticism in spring ahead of City Council’s unanimous expansion of the city’s contract with Flock.
“Using drones as first responders, is the future,” Fugazi said. “This is technology that allows public safety professionals to conduct real-time assessments without putting lives at risk.”
However, what was not directly addressed by the mayor at Tuesday’s State of the City was the division that has ruled dynamics on City Council since last spring.
City Council has often been divided since Fugazi took office in January, even authorizing myriad investigations into its own members and other city officials, including the former interim city manager. In January, the California State Controller’s Office opened an inquiry into multiple claims of financial and other wrongdoing.
Since July, City Council has also seen a revolving door of leadership in the city manager’s chair. The council finally hired Johnny Ford as Stockton’s new chief executive following its choice to not renew the contract of its former embattled and controversial interim city manager Steve Colangelo. Ford is also just one of many new leaders brought in across Stockton’s government divisions, including public works, finance and legal.
But Fugazi did say of ordinary Stocktonians, from teachers to police officers: “That group is who we are working for. Not the comment section, not the rumor mill, not for the politics of division.”
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee and Councilmembers Michael Blower, Mario Enriquez, Mariela Ponce, and Brando Villapudua were also present Tuesday. Councilmember Michele Padilla was absent, as she was attending her child’s graduation, Fugazi said.
Councilmembers who were present didn’t immediately respond to calls and emails about their impressions of the mayor’s address, except for Enríquez.
“Overall, I really did appreciate the statistics and the key highlights (about) the city over the past year,” Enríquez said, adding that his “personal highlight” was the city’s progress fixing potholes.