The Sacramento City Council is expected to appoint an interim city manager on Tuesday following the departure of longtime city executive Howard Chan.
Chan resigned last month after the council voted 6 to 3 against extending his contract amid criticisms over his high salary and benefits. New Mayor Kevin McCarty praised Chan for his leadership, but joined a majority of the council in rejecting the extension, saying it was time to focus “on a new day.”
Chan was among California’s highest-paid city managers, making $400,000 in base salary. .
The city plans to fill the city manager position temporarily while recruiting Chan’s full-time replacement.
A city staff report does not name the interim manager or include their salary.
McCarty is expected to provide an update on the city’s recruitment process at Tuesday’s meeting.
The staff report noted the interim manager will have the full authority of a city manager and receive all the benefits of employment to which the city manager is entitled. It added that the salary for the position is already fully funded within the city’s budget.
Public criticism
Roughly 30 residents and community leaders attended the council’s Dec. 17 meeting to argue for or against Chan’s contract extension on top of 30 electronic comments received before the meeting. The majority of speakers called for the council to reject extending the contract.
Several business leaders called for extending Chan’s contract to provide “stability” during a time of political transition. They argued it would ensure Sacramento’s economic growth and investment continues.
Those opposed criticized Chan’s performance accusing him of lacking accountability, making poor decisions and not effectively addressing issues like homelessness and traffic safety. Additionally, many cited his high pay as a reason not to extend his contract.
Data from the California State Controller showed that Chan’s base salary in 2023 was $400,000 — nearly $600,000 with benefits — making him the second-highest-paid city manager in California that year.
Bribe allegation
Dr. Flojaune Cofer, who narrowly lost the race for mayor to McCarty, claimed during the December council meeting she was offered a $4,050 campaign contribution if she would agree to extend Chan’s contract, had she been elected mayor.
“I was told this had to happen because the city required stability,” she said. “I want to make it very clear that, to my knowledge, Howard Chan was not aware of and did not condone that was offered to me on his behalf, but that it happened at all gives me serious concerns about who is pulling the strings, and what they’re willing to do or have already done.”
Cofer has not disclosed who the individuals who offered her the bribe are although she reported it to City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood.
Wood told CapRadio that Cofer did not tell her the names of the individuals who made the alleged offer. The city attorney said she completed her review of the situation after determining no city employees or officials were involved.
“Had that been the case, then the matter would have been referred to the police department and the District Attorney in addition to opening an internal investigation,” Wood wrote in the email. “Since Dr. Cofer repeatedly said — including in response to my questions — that NO city officials were involved, the matter was concluded and no further action by the city was warranted.”
Visit the city’s website if interested in submitting written comments that will be distributed in advance of Tuesday’s meeting to council members and filed in the record.
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