City Announces Sara Castro as New Assistant City Manager

Published on August 24, 2026

TRACY, Calif. – The City of Tracy is pleased to announce the selection of Sara Castro as its new Assistant City Manager, effective August 24, 2026.

Castro has served as Tracy’s Director of Finance since 2022 and brings more than 20 years of California local government experience to the position. During her time with the City, she has been a key partner on major Citywide initiatives involving capital financing, infrastructure, public safety, labor negotiations, legislative advocacy, and long-range financial planning.

“Sara brings sound judgment, a collaborative leadership style, and a deep understanding of the City of Tracy,” said City Manager Midori Lichtwardt. “She has demonstrated a commitment to the success of the entire organization, and I am confident she will be an exceptional partner as we continue working to move Tracy forward.”

picture of sara castro new assistant city manager

Castro was also selected as one of just 24 local government professionals nationwide for the 2026 Leadership ICMA cohort. ICMA is the leading professional organization for city and county management, focused on developing effective local government leaders and sharing best practices that help communities thrive. For Tracy residents, this reflects Castro’s commitment to continually developing the skills and knowledge needed to help local government better serve the community.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve Tracy in this new capacity,” said Castro. “I have been fortunate to be part of this organization during an important period of growth and opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our City Council, staff, and community to build on that progress.”

Castro was selected following a competitive executive recruitment process conducted with Peckham & McKenney, an executive search firm specializing in local government leadership. The process included a strong pool of qualified candidates and a thorough evaluation of their experience and leadership capabilities.

As Assistant City Manager, Castro will support the City Manager in advancing the City’s priorities, coordinating Citywide initiatives, and providing leadership across the organization.