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Sonoma names new city manager

The Sonoma City Council, meeting in closed session Monday night, announced its unanimous decision to appoint current Assistant City Manager Carol Giovanatto as the next city manager. The new position will be effective Dec. 13, subject to formal adoption of an employment agreement at the City Council’s next regular meeting on Dec. 3.

Giovanatto has been with the City of Sonoma for 11 years, and currently serves as assistant city manager/administrative services director as well as city treasurer and head of the Finance Department. She will replace current Sonoma City Manager Linda Kelly who was recently appointed as the town manager of Windsor.

Addressing the appointment, Mayor Joanne Sanders said, “The appointment of Carol will provide much needed continuity during a time of transition. I have had an opportunity to work with her for eight years and I have full confidence in her ability to meet the fiscal challenges ahead.”

Sanders added that Giovanatto, “had some very good ideas, right out of the gate, about cost savings. The council was unanimous and enthusiastic about Carol. We were excited.”

Giovanatto was out of town and unavailable for comment when the announcement was made, but in a prepared statement she said, “I am extremely honored to be chosen by the City Council to lead the City of Sonoma organization. I am focused on continuing the high standards set by my predecessors in providing exemplary service to the citizens of Sonoma. The appointment as city manager is the pinnacle of my 37-year career in local government and I value the confidence the council has shown in me. I look forward to working together to preserve Sonoma’s economic vitality while protecting its historic character.”

As a footnote to the city manager announcement, Sanders reported Wednesday that city engineer Toni Bertolero will also be leaving in December to take a job with the City of Windsor, where Kelly will soon be the new town manager. Sanders said she had assurances from Kelly that she did not recruit Bertolero, for whom no replacement has yet been named.