City Council to consider naming Sabrina Cotta city manager — a role she’s filled for more than 9 months already
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
Sabrina Cotta could be appointed as the permanent city manager at the Ashland City Council meeting Tuesday, according to meeting materials.
Mayor Tonya Graham is “seeking confirmation” for the appointment from council as Ashland City Charter Article XIII Section 1 dictates the mayor can appoint a candidate to the position with the approval of council, according to an agenda item. If appointed, Cotta would negotiate a formal employment contract with the city attorney. In a redacted version of her resume included with meeting materials, Cotta has 15 years of experience in local government.
She was hired at the city of Ashland as deputy city manager in March 2022, and served as the city’s interim human resources director from March 2022 to April 2023, interim finance director June 2022 to April 2023, and as both deputy and interim city manager since February 2023 — after serving as acting city manager from when Joe Lessard resigned Oct. 27 through January, when she officially began acting as interim city manager.
In other council business Tuesday, councilors will review and discuss updating the job description for the city attorney ahead of a potential recruitment effort, hold the final vote for the dedication of six affordable housing lots for the Beachie Creek subdivision, and review a first reading of an ordinance regarding unnecessary noise due to construction and leaf blowers.
During the council study session Monday, councilors will hear a presentation from Cotta on strategic planning initiatives such as defining long term goals and allocating resources, according to an agenda item. Council will also consider updated communication protocols between city staff and the public.
The meetings will be held in the Ashland City Council chamber, 1175 East Main St. The study session begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, while the business meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Both meetings can be attended in person or watched remotely through Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live streamed via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime.
Public testimony will be accepted and can be delivered either via Zoom, in person, or as written comment. To sign up for public comment, fill out the public testimony form.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.
Aug. 19: Spelling of Mayor Tonya Graham’s name corrected.
