Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Appointment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Refugio Lamas appointed to Los Banos City Council District 2 seat
Summary
After interviewing two candidates, the Los Banos City Council used a ranked ballot March 9 to select Refugio Lamas to fill the District 2 vacancy; the council adopted Resolution 7063 and administered the oath the same evening.
Refugio Lamas was appointed March 9 to the Los Banos City Council’s District 2 seat and sworn into office after the council voted to adopt Resolution 7063 approving the appointment.
The council held a special meeting to interview applicants after the resignation of the prior District 2 member on Jan. 9, 2026. City staff reported three qualified applications were received and two applicants were present for public interviews. Councilmembers agreed to use a ranked-ballot procedure (3 points for first choice, 2 for second) to select the appointee.
During the public interviews, Tyler Castillo, who said he moved to Los Banos in 2017 and holds a journalism degree, told the council he would focus on improving city-to-resident communication, supporting local businesses and addressing public-safety concerns. “I believe the city can put out more public statements rather than residents looking for social media updates on non city affiliated accounts,” Castillo said.
Refugio Lamas, who said he moved to Los Banos in 1992 and received multiple letters of support, emphasized continuity and outreach for District 2 and singled out water as a key challenge requiring outside funding. “If you don’t have your health, everything else becomes secondary,” Lamas said, urging efforts to secure state and federal assistance for infrastructure needs.
The clerk collected ranked ballots and announced the point totals: Refugio Lamas 11 points, Tyler Castillo 9 points. The council then moved to adopt Resolution 7063 to approve the appointee; the mayor announced the motion carried. The city clerk administered the oath of office to Lamas that evening.
A public commenter, Carlos Flores, used the meeting’s public forum to press the council on housing quality, sidewalks and the visible homelessness situation, asking the council to increase outreach and speed on local fixes. “We want to make sure those things are done,” Flores said, urging district-level meetings and clearer notice of upcoming votes.
City staff had told the council the appointment must be made within 60 days of the vacancy under the government code citation included in the staff report and that the person appointed will serve the unexpired term through December 2026. The council confirmed the interview process and voting alternative by consensus before conducting interviews and the ranked ballot.
After taking the oath, Lamas thanked his family and said he looks forward to working with District 2 residents and representing their concerns consistent with law. The mayor closed the meeting and encouraged continued community involvement.
What happens next: the council seat is filled through the end of the unexpired term in December 2026; no additional council action was announced at the meeting regarding the District 2 office.
