Los Banos manager resigns; council appoints fire chief acting city manager and authorizes national search

The City of Los Banos announced the resignation of City Manager Josh Panaro and moved to a temporary leadership plan, the council said at its Jan. 15 meeting.

Mayor (name not specified) read a statement saying, “Effective January 11, 2025 City Manager Josh Panaro resigned from his position,” and thanked Panaro for his service. The council later took two actions in closed session: by a 4-0 vote it authorized staff to prepare and issue a request for proposals to hire a recruitment firm for a full-time city manager search, and by a 4-0 vote it requested that Fire Chief Baltoala accept the position of acting city manager effective Jan. 16, 2025.

The open meeting announcement after closed session said, “Action was given by a 4 0 vote to prepare and authorize an RFP, request for proposal for recruitment firm to conduct a search for a full time city manager,” and that the council also voted 4-0 to request that Baltoala accept the acting city manager role.

City officials did not release details of the RFP selection timeline at the meeting. The mayor framed the change as an opportunity for “a fresh start” and said the council remains “dedicated to serving the people of Los Banos.” No employment contract or permanent hire was announced at the meeting.

The appointment of an acting city manager is an administrative step the council may take while it conducts a formal recruitment. The council stated the acting appointment will become effective Jan. 16; any future permanent hire will follow the procurement and selection processes that the council authorized staff to begin.

The council said it will return to the public with additional timing and procedural details as the RFP process moves forward.

What’s next: staff will post the RFP and accept proposals, and the council expects to review the search firm options before beginning a national recruitment for a permanent city manager.