Elaine Forbes is the City Manager of the City of Sausalito. She was appointed by the City Council on May 5, 2026, to serve in the position starting July 1, 2026.

Forbes brings more than two decades of public-sector experience, including nine years as the San Francisco Port Director.  As the Director from 2016 through December 2025, Forbes led a staff of 270 and oversaw a complex public enterprise responsible for waterfront infrastructure, maritime operations, real estate, public access, and long-term stewardship of public assets. 

Earlier in her career, Forbes worked with nonprofit land use and economic development organizations, including the Urban Strategies Council and the Western Center on Law and Poverty.  She holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning from UCLA.

The office of the City Manager was created by Ordinance No. 484 in 1955 and is appointed by the City Council. The City Manager is the administrative head of the government.

It is the duty of the City Manager to implement municipal policy, enforce all laws and ordinances of the City, and to see that all franchises, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the City Council are faithfully observed. The City Manager hires personnel, develops fiscal plans, regulates building activities, and maintains a unique understanding of how all city operations function together. The City Manager also supervises the day-to-day operations of all City departments and staff, and it is the responsibility of the City Manager to recommend to the City Council such reorganization of offices, positions, departments or units under his/her direction as may be indicated in the interest of efficient, effective, and economical conduct of the City's business. Working with other city managers in the County, the City Manager tackles cross-jurisdictional issues.