Since 2024, the mayor has been Kevin McCarty and the current councilors were Lisa Kaplan, Roger Dickinson, Karina Talamantes, Phil Pluckebaum, Caity Maple, Eric Guerra, Rick Jennings II, and Mai Vang.

Pursuant to the charter, all legislative power is vested in the Council and is exercised by ordinance.

Pursuant to this power, the Council has caused to be promulgated the Sacramento City Code, consisting of codified regulatory and penal ordinances.

Historically, the courthouses were county-owned buildings that were maintained at county expense, which created significant friction since the trial court judges, as officials of the state government, had to lobby the county Board of Supervisors for facility renovations and upgrades.

The County government provides countywide services such as elections and voter registration, law enforcement, jails, vital records, property records, tax collection, public health, and social services.