This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on May 22, 2025.
While a recent report concluded that East L.A. doesn’t have the tax base to become a city, an alternative form of local representation could soon take shape for the region of nearly 120,000 residents.
Because East L.A. is not an incorporated city, it falls under direct oversight of L.A. County. That means decisions about services and developments are handled by county officials – in this case by Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the area along with more than 2 million constituents.
Some residents argue that county leadership can’t adequately serve the unincorporated community, which has fueled conversations about increased financial transparency, the right to self-determination and alternative forms of government. These concerns also drove legislative efforts last year.
On May 12, the L.A. County Chief Executive’s Office released a long-awaited study assessing the fiscal health of unincorporated East L.A., giving insight into the area’s tax base and showing that cityhood for the region wasn’t viable.Instead, the report recommends the formation of a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) — a formal, citizen-led body that would directly advise the county Board of Supervisors on issues unique to East L.A.
While a MAC in East L.A. wouldn’t represent the first of its kind in Southern California, if formed, it would be the only one in L.A. County. Here’s what to know about how MACs operate.
What is a Municipal Advisory Council?
A MAC is a county-recognized advisory group made up of local residents. While it doesn’t have legislative authority, it provides a path for community members in an unincorporated area to advise the County Board of Supervisors on service and needs, such as infrastructure, development and quality-of-life issues.
Under state law, MACs are created by a county board of supervisors and would be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, which mandates that meetings be open to the public, similar to Neighborhood Council meetings.
What can (and can’t) a MAC do?
MACs cannot make laws, authorize budgets, sign contracts or direct county operations. They can, however, provide a structure for public input and give stakeholders a direct line of communication to county leadership.
MAC meetings are similar to forums and can create space for residents to make their voices heard in a formal setting.
In a 1977 government study on the status of MACs as an alternative to a local government, author Jack Fuller notes that while some MACs form with the ultimate goal of incorporation, others have “planned and developed their own parks, provided valuable information for the development of local general plans and promoted more efficient and less costly delivery of local services.”
How is a MAC formed?
The Board of Supervisors has discretion under state law over the formation and appointment of MAC members. The board can appoint MAC members directly or hold a special election to have them voted in, according to the cityhood feasibility report. The board also has the power to specify the number of members and the necessary qualifications of potential members.
The Board of Supervisors could designate a single MAC to represent unincorporated East L.A. or establish multiple MACs that each focus on specific service areas, such as parking enforcement, street vending or encampment cleanups, to enhance feedback between residents and the county.
Where else do MACs exist?
There are no currently operating MACs in L.A. County, according to a county spokesperson.
In San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, some unincorporated communities like Oak Park, Bloomington and Ojai Valley have MACs. Oak Park’s MAC holds public meetings once a month at Oak Park High School and informs Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell about matters related to public safety, public health, planning and any other topics of interest to the community.
The city of Diamond Bar, before it incorporated in 1989, formed a MAC to give its residents an advisory group that addressed issues in their community.
Are there other groups representing community members in East L.A.?
According to the CEO’s report, East L.A. has the Maravilla Community Advisory Committee (MCAC), a group of local stakeholders and residents created in 1991 to involve local community stakeholders in redevelopment projects for the Maravilla neighborhood in East L.A. The committee has since expanded its responsibilities to discuss other local issues such as parking, street vending, crime and safety, graffiti and transportation.
However, the county characterizes the MCAC as a community organization, “not a formal entity created by the county with official recognized duties and powers.”
How is a MAC different from a town council?
Town councils are a variation of MACs. While MACs are defined in state law, town councils are not. They are not chartered, are not subject to the Brown Act, have no official authority and
purely advise on local issues such as safety, planning, public works or public health.
There are approximately 21 town councils in L.A. County, and they can operate informally without established bylaws or policies. They conduct their own elections, are self-funded and their memberships vary in size.
Town councils allow local unincorporated communities to share information and requests with the Board of Supervisors.
Why did the County CEO recommend a MAC for East L.A. and what’s next?
The CEO recommended exploring a MAC or town council for East L.A. after a report found that incorporation would immediately result in a $28 million budget deficit.
“Transparency in establishing a MAC is key to ensure the needs of the community are addressed and that the council body can contribute to the strong partnership between the County and the East L.A. community,” the report states. “Establishing an East L.A. MAC could provide an official platform for the community to express concerns, raise issues and decide on resolutions to help the area thrive.”
In response to the report, Supervisor Solis announced plans on social media to introduce a motion to hire a consultant to provide multilingual and multicultural community outreach. The consultant would inform residents and stakeholders about the report and “assess the creation of a Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) or Town Council that reflects East Los Angeles’ diverse voices.”
It remains unclear whether Solis will ultimately pursue a MAC or town council for East L.A.
