The Santa Rosa City Council has selected Lori Ann Farrell as the new Interim City Manager. The formal contract will be approved by the City Council on December 2, 2025, and she will start on January 2, 2026. Ms. Farrell is temporarily filling this role following City Manager Maraskeshia Smith’s departure.
“Ms. Farrell is an accomplished and experienced city manager,” said Mayor Mark Stapp. “She understands the complexities of municipal government and has extensive experience managing challenges like those facing Santa Rosa. We’re pleased to have her lead our executive team while we conduct a recruitment to fill this critical position permanently.”
Ms. Farrell brings more than 35 years of experience in municipal government and finance. Most recently, she served as City Manager for Costa Mesa, where she oversaw eight departments and more than 600 employees. Appointed in 2019, she guided the city through significant financial growth, increasing the General Fund and related reserves by $10 million and securing a record $16.5 million in grants for parks and open space. Her strategic negotiations with the Las Vegas Raiders brought $700,000 in local sports investments, a mobile recreation van for underserved youth, and over $1 million in economic benefits for local businesses…