Sacramento is officially making waves with its latest appointment, bringing Maraskeshia Smith on board as the new city manager. Not only is she stepping into a role that oversees a bustling $1.6 billion budget and around 6,000 employees, but she also holds the distinct honor of being the first Black woman to take on this position. Talk about shattering ceilings! Smith’s contract comes in at a cool $399,000 per year—the kind of salary that might just take the sting out of an endless meeting or two.
Smith’s hiring comes after a protracted search for a leader, following the resignation of former City Manager Howard Chan. His hefty salary raised eyebrows, and Smith is stepping into some big shoes that have been ripe for a change. Sacramento took a bold step by choosing someone with experience in managing cities like Santa Rosa, and let’s be honest, we’re rooting for her! With new leadership comes new hopes, and maybe a dose of fresh air in governing for a city that certainly could use it.
But here’s the million-dollar question: are higher salaries for managers really justified? Let’s face it, when you’re managing public funds, the accountability level skyrockets. So, what do you think? Will Maraskeshia Smith lead Sacramento into a new era, or will she find herself piecing together the fragments of a previous administration? One thing’s for sure—we’re all curious to see what happens next!
