Sacramento City Council set to appoint interim city manager as nationwide search is conducted
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday will appoint an interim city manager while a nationwide search is conducted to replace Howard Chan, whose contract extension was rejected following months of criticism over his high salary and decision-making.
Newly elected Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty will present an update on the recruitment to replace Chan, who worked his last day as city manager on Jan. 31. The mayor’s presentation at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting was, as of Thursday evening, the only discussion item listed on the agenda.
Chan held the job since 2016, managing the city’s 6,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees while overseeing an annual operating budget of more than $1.6 billion and implementing policy directed by the City Council.
It was unclear who the City Council is considering for the interim position or how much that person will be paid. A staff report for the mayor’s presentation includes a drafted resolution that leaves blank spaces for the name and hourly salary for the interim city manager.
Whomever is appointed Tuesday will have the full authority of the city manager.
“The appointment of an interim city manager will also assure a smooth transition while recruiting for the position of city manager,” according to the city staff report.
Chan worked for the city for a total of 22 years. In 2002, he was hired as Sacramento’s parking manager. He was promoted to assistant city manager in 2013. Three years later, Chan replaced City Manager John Shirey.
At its Dec. 17 meeting, the City Council voted 6-3 against Chan’s requested one-year contract extension; council members Rick Jennings, Lisa Kaplan and Phil Pluckebaum voted to extend Chan’s contract.
Most of the 31 residents who spoke ahead of the council’s vote argued that Chan represented the status quo, was overpaid and had failed at his job. In 2023, Chan made roughly $593,240 in total wages — the second highest for a city manager in the state.
Some council members and business leaders expressed their support for Chan at the December meeting. They cited the need for stability, particularly as the city faces a $77 million budget deficit next year.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting agenda also includes 20 items on the consent calendar, including the confirmation of mayoral appointments for vice mayor, mayor pro tem, city council standing committees, various regional authorities, agencies and commissions. Items on the consent calendar can be removed for separate consideration.
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
