In a historic move, the Sacramento City Council has selected Maraskeshia Smith to step into the role of City Manager, a first for a Black woman in the city's annals, effective January 5, 2026. Her extensive background in public service positions her as a formidable presence in city management, where she will be assuming control of nearly 6,000 employees and an operating budget of no small sum, $1.6 billion to be exact, to steer policy directions in tune with the council's vision.
"We are honored to welcome Maraskeshia to the team," Mayor Kevin McCarty expressed, his sentiments echoed across the civic spectrum, for Smith isn't merely an experienced leader but a public servant dedicated to the community's long-term welfare, her commitment unwavering, in a statement obtained by Sacramento City Express. Smith herself harbors a vision to nurture an inclusive cityscape where residents and entrepreneurs alike are acknowledged and esteemed efforts to advance customer service, safety, and vibrancy topping her to-do list, aspirations that are bold and far-reaching, spanning the city's many facets.
Smith's resume is impressive, showcasing more than twenty years in various capacities such as Deputy Director and Director of Public Works in Cincinnati, Assistant City Administrator in Oakland, and a stint as Deputy City Manager in Stockton, not to mention her current tenure as City Manager of Santa Rosa. Her academic credentials are equally laudable; she holds an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky, with a crown of achievement being her Credentialed Manager status from the International City/County Management Association awarded in 2024.
Encapsulating the council's confidence, Councilmember Rick Jennings, Chair of the Personnel and Public Employees Committee—who led the nationwide talent search, told Sacramento City Express that Smith is "the right person at the right time for our city," her track record of cultural and operational overhaul ticking all the right boxes in the quest for leadership that serves the populous, an endeavor that the city council holds dear, moving the city towards a unified future as envisaged by the collective dream of its residents. The council's extensive recruitment process included interviews and community meetings, funneling down to the finest pick; Smith's contract, pegged at $399,000 annually, awaits council approval come October 14. Until Smith begins her term next year, Leyne Milstein will continue to manage city affairs, having held the interim City Manager's reins since January 2025.
