SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento City Council voted to appoint Lainie Milstein as interim city manager on Jan. 7, naming Mayor Kevin McCarty as the negotiator for employment terms and scheduling final approval of terms at a council meeting next Tuesday.

The council approved the motion in an 8–1–1 vote. Council members who voted “aye” were Kaplan, Mayor Pro Tem Telamonte, Councilmember Plaqueban, Vice Mayor Maple, Gatta, Jennings, Guerra and Mayor McCarty. Councilmember Vang voted no; Councilmember Dickinson recorded an abstention.

The appointment places Milstein, a long‑time city executive, in the top administrative role while the council conducts a national search for a permanent city manager. Council members and staff said they expect a multi‑month recruitment process overseen with support from an outside search firm.

Why it matters: The city faces a large budget deficit and upcoming labor contract negotiations, council members said, and the interim appointment is intended to provide steady leadership through those near‑term challenges while a national search proceeds.

Council debate and public comment

Public commenters urged clarity and community engagement on the recruitment process before the council discussed the item. Several members of the public asked that community input be built into the selection of a permanent city manager and that the council publish clear criteria for the role.

Councilmember Vang said she could not support the motion, stating, “I simply can't support the motion on the table. I think it's really important that we foster a healthy culture at City Hall … and I don't believe that's currently happening.”

Vice Mayor Maple, who supported the appointment, praised Milstein’s experience with municipal budgets and labor negotiations, saying she had “utmost respect to Lainie, for her 20 plus years at the city of Sacramento, her work with budgets and negotiations.” Councilmember Kaplan also expressed support for stability and for a transparent, community‑facing recruitment process.

Motion details and next steps

The motion directed the mayor to negotiate terms with Milstein and scheduled a council vote next week to approve those terms and conditions. Council members said a search firm is already engaged and that staff will return with a recommended timeline and process; multiple council members asked that the search include public participation, such as a community panel or public review of finalist criteria.

Distinguishing discussion from formal action

Council discussion included both policy questions about the search process and formal action to appoint an interim manager. The formal action — the appointment of Milstein and designation of the mayor as negotiator — carried the binding authority of the council and was recorded by roll call.

Context and implementation risk

Council members described the appointment as a bridge to a full national recruitment. They flagged two near‑term priorities for the interim manager: addressing an anticipated budget shortfall and leading labor negotiations. Council members said the search is expected to conclude in several months and that staff will return to the council with detailed timelines and next steps.

Outcome

The appointment passed. The council will consider and vote on the negotiated terms at its next meeting.