The Santa Cruz Mountains provide an effective barrier which captures warm temperate sea air. Scotts Valley's average annual temperature is 68 degrees, and the average annual rainfall is 41.18 inches. Scotts Valley temperatures typically range 3-9 degrees warmer than the City of Santa Cruz temperatures listed below for 1991. The population has increased from 8,506 to 9,800 from 1988 to 1995 with more than 3,500 total households. Council members are elected for staggered two-year terms by the electorate.
Members then elect a mayor and mayor pro-tem to serve for the ensuing year.
Any registered voter residing within the City limits is eligible to run for election. A city manager, appointed by the city council, supervises all heads of city departments and makes recommendations to the council based on the City's needs. Commissions and committees authorized by the city council include the Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, Design Review Board, Mobile Home Rent Review Commission, Cultural Resource Preservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. With a diverse teaching pool, new ideas and new ways of teaching have combined with traditional methods to make learning easier and more enjoyable. The COE also coordinates efforts to keep schools up to date and strengthen fiscal and academic accountability.