SONOMA VALLEY, CA — The Sonoma City Council gave the green light on the next city manager after a nationwide search.
Former San Rafael city manager Cristine Alilovich moved closer to ending her interim status in the role on Wednesday night.
Alilovich has served as interim city manager since April 6, following the departure of former City Manager David Guhin, who left to serve as Sonoma County executive.
The council selected Alilovich as the candidate best suited to lead Sonoma and continue advancing the city's goals and priorities following a review and interview process, according to a news release. The role offers a reported annual salary of $274,072.
The city and Alilovich are finalizing the terms of an employment agreement. The City Council expects to consider the final agreement at its next regular meeting on Sept. 2.
Alilovich brings more than two decades of public-sector leadership experience to the position, according to the news release.
Before coming to Sonoma, she served as city manager for San Rafael, where she led a full-service municipal organization with approximately 450 employees and managed a $192 million annual operating budget.
If confirmed, she will be responsible for a budget of nearly $45 million.
She previously held leadership positions with Marin County and Sonoma County and worked in public-sector consulting. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Alilovich has expressed her commitment to Sonoma for the long term and her enthusiasm for continuing to work with the City Council, city staff, residents, businesses, and community partners as the city advances several significant initiatives and builds on work established during Guhin's tenure. Alilovich lives in Novato.
The city plans to make additional information, including the proposed employment agreement, available with the Sept. 2 City Council meeting agenda on the city's Meetings Portal at SonomaCity.CivicWeb.net.
Related:
Brown Act Violation Claim On Sonoma City Council Agenda
Sonoma City-Haller Leaving For SoCo Exec Job
Who Will Lead Sonoma Next? Council Weighs Interim Path Forward
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