After serving in Clark County government for many years, Sabra Smith Newby decided it was time for a change.
In March, she took the position of city manager in Reno, leaving her post as Clark County's assistant county manager.
"Sometimes in your career and in your life, you’re ready for a change," Smith Newby told KNPR's State of Nevada.
She said she was interested in the changes going on in Reno right now as the economy there changes and brings in more high-tech companies. Plus, it was a promotion to go from an assistant role to what is essentially the CEO of the city.
Smith Newby now oversees 1,200 full-time employees, 14 departments and an all-fund budget of $450 million.
One of the biggest differences between working for a city and working for a county is the services each government provides. A county works as the regional government overseeing many departments, including the court system, social services, and family services.
Smith Newby said she would bring what she learned from helping guide Clark County through one of the toughest times, the Great Recession.
“Some of the lessons I learned from that are to face those challenges head on to recognize when they’re coming and not try to delay them because they’re tough or they’re uncomfortable,” she said.
The big challenges ahead for Reno include the expanding population as people move there to work for Tesla and other large tech companies and how to manage and accommodate that growth. There is also the continuing problem of affordable housing and homelessness.
Smith Newby said when she interviewed for the position she got a strong message from the city council about what they want from the city manager.
“There’s a lot of change in Reno. A lot on the horizon and so they really wanted someone to take the helm and manage effectively,” she said.
She said the city council wanted someone to apply the principals of effective local government management to the position of Reno city manager.
(Editor's Note: Smith Newby serves on Nevada Public Radio's community advisory board)
Sabra Smith Newby, city manager, Reno
