Updated 6:02 a.m., Jan 9th–
Sentinel staff report– The Citrus Heights City Council announced Friday that Ashley “Ash” Feeney, who currently serves as assistant city manager in the City of Davis, is the top pick under consideration for becoming the new city manager of Citrus Heights.
In a news release, the city said it will consider approving a four-year contract with Feeney during its Jan. 13 council meeting. If the contract is approved, Feeney will officially take the position by the end of this month, replacing interim City Manager Christopher Boyd.
“We had several highly-qualified candidates apply for our City Manager role,” said Mayor Porsche Middleton in Friday’s news release. “As a collective, City Council was very pleased by the amount of interest shown in the position, with so many quality candidates eager to serve our unique community. The skilled talent pool made our decision a difficult one.”
The Sentinel requested names of the other applicants for the City Manager position, but was told by city spokeswoman Nichole Baxter that “the other applicants’ information is confidential.”
Feeney’s experience in Davis included service as the assistant city manager and director of community development, economic development and sustainability. In a news release posted by the City of Davis, the city noted his tenure included overseeing several hotel, office and apartment development projects. He is also credited with leading efforts to develop a local cannabis regulatory framework.
According to an online bio, Feeney has long-established roots in the Sacramento Valley, is married, and has two sons. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in economics, with a minor in Business Administration from Humboldt State University.
“As a Fair Oaks resident living a stone’s throw from the City boundary, our family has long been part of the greater Citrus Heights community,” Feeney said in Friday’s news release. “Thanks to its passionate community and dedicated City staff, Citrus Heights is a great place for families and businesses to establish roots. I believe the City has a tremendous future full of opportunities.”
The city manager is the top executive position in the city, responsible for planning, supervising, and coordinating the city’s budget, policies, information technology, and general operations. The city manager is also tasked with hiring the city’s police chief, and takes direction from the City Council.
According to a contract posted in the council’s Jan. 13 agenda packet, Feeney’s starting salary is listed at $240,000, along with accruing 160 hours of annual leave, a 5% 401(a) match, health, and other benefits. Annual leave can be cashed out at up to 80 hours, and merit-based pay increases can also be authorized by the council.
The prior city manager was paid a slightly higher base salary of $257,535, as of the most recent data from 2020 posted at publicpay.ca.gov. When factoring in benefits, other pay and cash-outs, the total compensation for the city manager in 2020 was about $363,000.
The Jan. 13 meeting will be held virtually, due to the county’s recent Public Health Order restricting in-person meetings due to the current rise in COVID-19 case rates. Public comments to be read during the meeting can be submitted in advance to cityclerk@citrusheights.net, with up to 250 words, or emailed directly to the City Council as a whole at citycouncil@citrusheights.net.
Sentinel staff report--
The Citrus Heights City Council announced Friday that Ashley "Ash" Feeney, who currently serves as assistant city manager in the City of Davis, is the top pick under consideration for becoming the new city manager of Citrus Heights.
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