Early Life

John Minto’s family moved to San Diego when he was just five weeks old, and he grew up in the City Heights neighborhood, the son of a San Diego Gas & Electric employee and a stay-at-home mother. During junior and senior high school, he took part in the American Red Cross program, Junior Kiwanis, Junior Achievement, Army ROTC, and the San Diego Police Department’s Explorer program — the experience that would shape the rest of his career.

Career in Public Safety

Before entering law enforcement, Minto spent three years as a member of IBEW Local 465, working for San Diego Gas & Electric in gas maintenance and construction, warehousing, and overhead and underground electric maintenance and construction, including a stint as an apprentice lineman.

He joined the San Diego Police Department at age 22 and served 29 years as a patrol officer and detective. He was on the ground floor of the revitalization of a once-crime-ridden neighborhood now known as the Gaslamp Quarter. He is especially proud of having designed curfew and truancy programs that provide immediate and long-term interventions for at-risk youth and their parents — programs SDPD still uses today. He also spent six years on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Police Officers Association, serving as director, treasurer, political action chair, and general manager, experience that gave him a working command of municipal budgets, political processes, and contract negotiation.

Public Service in Santee

John and his wife have called Santee home since 1992. Soon after moving to the city, he became active in Santee Kiwanis, the Santee Park and Recreation Committee (SPARC), and his homeowners’ association. He won his first City Council election in 2002 and has served the city continuously since, becoming Mayor in 2016.

As Mayor, Minto currently serves as Second Vice Chair of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board and on the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) Board of Directors, previously served on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors, and is a 23-year member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is also active with the East County and Lakeside Chambers of Commerce and appears at community events each year across the district, including in El Cajon, Lakeside, and Alpine.

Community Involvement

Minto participates annually in the Santee Firefighters’ and Sheriff’s Pancake Breakfast, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, the Santee Chamber of Commerce awards and Street Fair, the Santee Christmas Tree Lighting, the Summer Concert Series, and Santee Salutes — the city’s Independence Day celebration. He previously participated with Miss Santee and Miss Santee Teen pageants. He supports Santee Santas, the Santee Food Bank, SMOAC’s Backpacks for Kids program, the San Diego River Park Foundation, Santee tree-planting efforts, and the Santee Historical Society.

Regional Leadership

Minto serves as Chair of the County of San Diego’s City Selection Committee, which is composed of the mayors of all 18 incorporated cities in San Diego County. The Committee was established under state law to appoint city representatives to major countywide agencies, including the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District’s governing board. As Chair, Minto presides over that nomination and appointment process on behalf of every city in the county.

Just a few Accomplishments

• Established and chairs the Highway 52 Coalition
• Brought SportsPlex USA to Santee
• Authored Santee’s Social Host Ordinance
• Authored the ordinance prohibiting possession of fire-starting devices and contaminants near the San Diego River
• Designed the district-based voting maps adopted by the City Council
• Developed a 10-point strategic plan to guide the city’s growth
• Helped bring new businesses and investment to Santee
• Hosted a series of Mayor’s Round Table discussions on issues facing Santee

In addition to his municipal role, Mayor Minto serves as Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County’s Supervisorial District 2, representing East County on the county party’s Central Committee.

— John Minto