Hello and Welcome to the City Manager’s Department Home Page

The City Manager’s department is committed to providing leadership and quality public service to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Encinitas.

In addition to providing support to the City Council, other City Departments, overseeing the law enforcement contract, and coordinating community events, the City Manager’s Department provides services in five divisions:  Human Resources, Information Technology, Geographic Information Services, Risk Management, and Arts Administration.

Thank you for visiting the City Manager’s Department Home Page.  I encourage you to browse the website.  It has been designed to provide a convenient forum to access valuable information.

It is my pleasure to serve you.

Sincerely,

Phil Cotton
City Manager

Phillip E. Cotton – Biography

Phillip E. Cotton currently serves as the City of Encinitas City Manager.  He has also served as the Director of Public Works and General Manager of the San Dieguito Water District as well as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Encinitas.  He has over 10 years of management experience in the public sector.  During his career he has been intimately involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of parks, beach accesses, streetscapes, public buildings, and various infrastructure projects.  Mr. Cotton's experience includes contract development and administration, lease agreements, maintenance and operation agreements, and construction management.  Prior to entering public service at the local agency level he served in a variety of assignments with the United States Marine Corps for twenty-one years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Cotton holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Science, from the University of California at Riverside, and a Masters Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University.