City Manager Chris Zapata is not requesting a third extension to his employment contract with Sausalito. The City Council is working in earnest on a transition plan to fill the City Manager position.
The City Council will be meeting to plan for the transition, recruitment and selection of a new City Manager in the upcoming months. The City Manager position is one of two positions the City Council appoints along with the City Attorney.
Zapata was hired by the City Council after a national recruitment and began with the City of Sausalito on June 7, 2021. Following a productive and impactful two years, the City Council extended Zapata’s original contract an additional three years to June 30, 2026. Throughout his time in Sausalito, Zapata has worked diligently with the City Council, organization and community partners to strategically stabilize and improve city services. Key areas to note include:
- Strengthening City finances through Measure L and parking revenue.
- Compassionate closure of the Marinship Homeless Encampment.
- Stabilizing the City workforce and rebuilding the City Executive Leadership Team.
- Implementation of multiple sustainability and resiliency policies.
- Successful navigation of a complex risk and insurance environment to obtain new City insurance coverage.
- Completion of key capital projects in the Downtown area and major new investment in streets.
- Transfer of the City Sewer Collection system to Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District.
A long time City Manager, Zapata intends to continue in the profession and begin a new chapter of public service. Regarding his time as City Manager he stated, “It’s been my honor to serve and improve the beautiful, special, and interesting community of Sausalito."
