In a historic first, Maraskeshia Smith has been selected as the next City Manager of Sacramento. Smith will assume the position on January 5, 2026, becoming the first Black woman to ever serve in the role.
“We are honored to welcome Maraskeshia to the team,” Mayor Kevin McCarty said Tuesday. “Not only is she an accomplished and transformative leader, more than equipped to take on the role, but also a dedicated public servant, committed to collaborative partnership and the long-term wellbeing of the residents she serves.”
“As City Manager, my vision is to create an environment where every resident, business owner, and volunteer feels seen, heard, and valued,” stated Smith. “I will lead with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to innovation, fostering a culture that embraces forward-thinking solutions. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that our services are accessible, our neighborhoods remain safe, clean, and vibrant, and that our customer service is both expedient and equitable. My aim is to make Sacramento the best-managed city in the country.”
As the chief administrator for one of California’s major cities, Smith will oversee some 6,000 employees and an annual operating budget of around $1.6 billion.
Smith currently serves as Santa Rosa’s City Manager. She has more than 20 years of experience in public service, having served as Deputy Director and Director of Public Works in Cincinnati, Assistant City Administrator in Oakland, and Deputy City Manager in Stockton. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. She received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in 2024.
Smith’s appointment follows a 10-month national search which began after the City Council declined to extend former City Manager Howard Chan’s contract. With an annual salary of $400,000, Chan was among the highest paid administrators in the state. His high salary and repeated pay increases had stoked controversy.
Under the terms of her proposed contract, which is expected to be approved on October 14, Smith would earn an annual base salary of $399,000.