Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Rialto City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

9 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Robert "Bobby" BustamanteBallot designation: Iron Worker.1sourced
Edward J. Carrillo3sourced
Celina DiazBallot designation: Human Resources.1sourced
Ana GonzalezNonprofit executive director and former member of Rialto's Budget Advisory Committee. She chairs the California Transportation Commission's Interagency Equity Advisory Committee.4sourced
Carl MayfieldRaised in Rialto, with more than 20 years of active law-enforcement and public-service experience.3sourced
Blanca MondragonBallot designation: Community Advocate.1sourced
Edward Montoya Jr.IncumbentRialto City Council member appointed in January 2025 and a retired Army combat veteran and paramedic. He founded the Brotherhood Bridge Foundation, which supports veterans and first responders.12sourced
Ed ScottIncumbent13sourced
Rafael TrujilloServed eight years on the Rialto City Council after eight years on the West Valley water board. He ran for mayor of Rialto in 2024.4sourced

Every Rialto voter can vote for up to two council candidates; the two with the most votes win.

3 notes on these statements

Edward Montoya Jr. was appointed in January 2025 to complete the remaining two years of Joe Baca's council term after Baca was elected mayor. The Sun · Jan 8, 2025

Rafael Trujillo served on the Rialto City Council for eight years and ran for mayor in 2024. The Sun · Oct 12, 2024

Edward J. Carrillo is Rialto's elected City Treasurer; his treasurer term expires in 2028. City of Rialto

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Joe BacaMayor; term ends 202811sourced Andy CarrizalesCouncilmember; term ends 202810sourced Karla PerezCouncilmember; term ends 202810sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWarehouses and truck facilities, City budget and contract staffing, Water and sewer rates Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Mail ballots go out; early voting begins at the Registrar of Voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Warehouses and truck facilities

Where it standsA moratorium on new or expanded indoor storage facilities expired in August 2025; since then the council has approved a truck terminal and a 664,859-square-foot warehouse.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt zone changes on warehouse uses tied to the state's AB 98 warehouse law, and how to rule on new warehouse and truck projects.

In January 2025 the council adopted a 45-day moratorium on establishing, expanding or intensifying indoor storage facilities, 4-1, with Andy Carrizales voting no. Rialto City Council minutes, January 28, 2025 · Jan 28, 2025
The moratorium expired on August 26, 2025; the city attorney said an amendment with zone changes would make the city compliant with AB 98. Rialto City Council minutes, August 26, 2025 · Aug 26, 2025
In October 2025 the council approved a truck terminal on about 45.7 acres in the Agua Mansa Specific Plan, 4-1, with Mayor Joe Baca voting no. Rialto City Council minutes, October 28, 2025 · Oct 28, 2025
In January 2026 the council approved a 664,859-square-foot warehouse at Locust Avenue and Lowell Street, 5-0. Rialto City Council minutes, January 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026

City budget and contract staffing

Where it standsThe FY 2026-27 budget adopted in June 2026 limits contract services to 50% of budgeted amounts, with a full report due in December.

What's on the tableWhether to restore contract-service funding or hire more city employees for inspections and plan checks after the December review.

The council adopted the FY 2026-27 budget 5-0 on June 23, 2026, with contract services limited to 50% of the budgeted amounts and re-reviewed in December. Rialto City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
The same motion made a part-time police department custodian position full-time. Rialto City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
The finance director said the utility users tax was temporarily suspended for residential customers. Rialto City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026

Water and sewer rates

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council approved water and wastewater rate adjustments for 2026-2030, lower than the rates in the Proposition 218 notice.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the adopted rate schedule and how to pay for water and sewer projects.

The water rate increases passed 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott abstaining over a conflict of interest. Rialto City Council minutes, January 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026
The wastewater rate increases passed 5-0. Rialto City Council minutes, January 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026
In May 2026 the council approved up to $3,091,098 for the Sycamore Avenue Sewer Trunk Line Project, 5-0. Rialto City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

Housing element and rezoning

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council approved the sixth-cycle housing element update and new Housing Opportunity District residential overlays.

What's on the tableHow to carry out the housing plan, including which housing projects to approve in the new overlay areas.

On February 24, 2026, a motion to approve the housing element failed on a 2-2 vote, with Andy Carrizales absent. Rialto City Council minutes, February 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026
The plan adds a Housing Opportunity District overlay on about 159 acres in the Foothill Central Specific Plan and about 20 acres in the Gateway Specific Plan. Rialto City Council minutes, February 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026
The council approved it 4-0 on March 10, 2026, with Andy Carrizales recused. Rialto City Council minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026

Campaign contribution limits

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council adopted Resolution No. 8551, which sets a $5,900 limit per donor per calendar year instead of per election cycle.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or repeal the city's own contribution limits.

The resolution passed 4-1, with Mayor Joe Baca voting no. Rialto City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
Mayor Joe Baca's motion to table the item failed for lack of a second. Rialto City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the limit will be adjusted every odd-numbered year based on the regional Consumer Price Index. Inland Empire Community News · Aug 4, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should Rialto pause new warehouses and indoor storage facilities while it updates its zoning?
2. Should Rialto shift inspection and plan-check work from contractors to city employees?
3. Should Rialto raise water and sewer rates through 2030 to pay for its systems?
4. Rialto's 2026 housing element added residential overlays to allow more homes. What should the next council do?
5. Should Rialto's $5,900 campaign contribution limit reset each calendar year or apply per election?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Mail ballots go out; early voting begins at the Registrar of VotersSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: November 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Voter registration deadline (same-day registration after)San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: November 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Deadline to request a replacement mail ballotSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: November 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 27, 2026
Election DaySan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: November 3, 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Joe Baca, Andy Carrizales, Karla Perez2 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

Rialto is a general law city governed by a mayor and a four-member City Council, all serving staggered four-year terms. City of Rialto
Two City Council seats, each a full four-year term, are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. City of Rialto
Mayor Joe Baca's term expires in 2028. City of Rialto
The mayor votes on council items with the four council members. Rialto City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.