Sentinel staff report–
Christopher Boyd formally said farewell to the City Council on Thursday night, after serving for a decade as the city’s founding police chief and his subsequent service as city manager since 2016.
“After 16-plus years of service, tonight’s my last council meeting, tomorrow’s my last day, and so I want to take this opportunity really to thank the council, the community, the staff for really the wonderful send-off, great celebration, kind words and the speeches and the gifts — its all been overwhelming and I’ve been really moved by it so much,” said Boyd in a brief statement at the close of the city’s Jan. 27 council meeting. “It’s been an honor of a lifetime to serve here in Citrus Heights in the roles that I have.”
Boyd also said he’s looking forward to the next chapter in his life, as well as looking forward to watching the city continue under the leadership of incoming City Manager Ashley Feeney.
“He’s a tremendous guy and leader, and the city’s in very good hands there, so I look forward to watching his leadership and the top-shelf staff to support him, I couldn’t be more proud of all of them,” Boyd said of Feeney. “So, on behalf of my family and myself, thank you all very much, and so-long for now.”
Council members also chimed in with short statements expressing gratitude for Boyd’s service in the city, both as the city’s police chief and as city manager.
“We’ve bumped heads at times, and that’s okay, but we move forward,” said Councilman Bret Daniels. “I want to tremendously congratulate you for deciding to pull the plug at a young age and the opportunity that you have to spend time with your children, who are still in your home, and with your family and your wife and I hope you travel and just enjoy the fruits of that sacrifice.”
Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins reflected on Boyd first being hired, when the city made its decision to for its own Police Department in 2006.
“I’ll never forget the day we rolled out our Police Department, never forget the day we hired you as our police chief, and just to watch what you have done in these 16 years has been amazing. You’ve put our Police Department on the map and you have cemented our city on the map.”
Mayor Porsche Middleton summed up Boyd’s service as “grit, grace, resilience,” adding that “the legacy you leave here is going to be phenomenal and it’s going to take us for the next 20 years and beyond.”
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