About the Academy

History of the City Management Academy

In 1995, the City Council requested the development of new partnerships with neighborhoods and the community. After talking to various community leaders and city staff, the City Manager’s Office proposed the City Management Academy (CMA).

The City Management Academy was created to:

Provide City residents an opportunity to learn how the City is managed and operated
Discuss the challenges facing the City and learn about the management and budgetary strategies used to address them
Facilitate an interactive learning experience where instructors and residents learn from each other through the case study approach and site tours
Reinforce partnerships between City staff and participants to encourage shared decision making and active involvement in City government

Since the inception of the Academy in 1995, the City has hosted 14 classes and graduated 286 residents and business owners.

Philosophy

The Neighborhood Services Department views residents and business owners as valuable partners in maintaining, revitalizing, and promoting healthy communities. Residents and business owners are truly the “eyes and ears” in neighborhoods for city staff.

The Department believes open lines of communication and effective working relationships between Sacramento city staff, residents, and business owners promote an engaged public, proactive resolution of concerns, and a healthy community. The Department proudly coordinates the City Management Academy because it aligns directly with the mission of the Neighborhood Services Department.

Awards

The Ford Foundation and John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University recognized the City Management Academy as one of the Top 100 Innovative Ideas in the USA in 1997 and 1998.

The City Management Academy also received an Outstanding Innovations in Government Award from the American Society for Public Administration, Sacramento Chapter, in 1998.