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After only eight weeks on the job, one of Sacramento’s newest executive leaders is no longer employed by the city.
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Katie Dignan was hired July 13 as one of four assistant city managers, powerful positions that directly report to City Manager Maraskeshia Smith. Smith sits at the top of City Hall’s hierarchy along with the mayor.
Dignan was tasked with overseeing three departments related to community and economic development. Sept. 4 was her last day.
Director of Convention and Cultural Services Megan Van Voorhis was appointed Sept. 5 to serve in the role on an interim basis until a long-term replacement for Dignan is hired, city spokesperson Jennifer Singer said Friday.
Currently only two of the four assistant city manager positions are occupied by permanent employees. Singer confirmed that the city would soon begin recruiting efforts for the fourth assistant city manager position, most recently occupied by Mario Lara, who retired.
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Dignan is the second assistant city manager to depart unceremoniously this year. The Sacramento Bee confirmed in April that Michael Jasso was no longer employed by the city after about six years in the role.
Dignan could not be reached for comment Friday. The city declined to comment on the circumstances of her sudden departure.
Dignan and Smith previously worked together in Oakland, where Smith served as the city’s assistant city administrator and Dignan as an assistant director of planning and building in 2018. Before taking the job in Sacramento, Dignan was an assistant leader in the East Bay Region Park District’s finance office.
The assistant city manager positions are two of several that the city will need to fill in the coming months. Public Works Director Matt Eierman and interim Human Resources Director Samantha Hardy are both slated to retire soon. The city is still seeking a permanent chief of police as Zachary Bales serves in the interim.
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