Turlock council interviews two city manager finalists as residents press transparency and homelessness concerns

At a special meeting the Turlock City Council interviewed two finalists for the city manager post, heard multiple residents question the transparency of the process and the city’s handling of homelessness, and returned from closed session with no appointment announced.

The matter before council members was explained by Chief Hampton, who said staff opened the recruitment without hiring an outside search firm to avoid roughly $90,000–$120,000 in fees and instead received 17 qualified applicants. "We narrowed it down to two finalists," Chief Hampton said, adding that panels made up of community members, business leaders and department directors interviewed the top candidates. He said HR is ready to start contract negotiations if the council selects a candidate but that background checks must be completed before any hire becomes public.

The subject drew extended public comment. A resident who did not give a name told the council the emergency meeting was "not legal" because they received no notice and called the process "not public government," adding that a three-to-two outcome would amount to "corruption." On the noticing question, the clerk said the meeting had been posted more than 24 hours in advance and that emails announcing it were sent the prior day at 9:03. "It was posted more than 24 hours online at 8:57 yesterday and emails were sent out at 9:03 yesterday," the clerk said.

Another public commenter, who raised concerns earlier in the session without giving a name, questioned the use of city funds tied to renovations of the WE Care kitchen and cited a June 19, 2025 notice from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, attributed in the comment to Kate Quantero, alleging Turlock’s noncompliance with homelessness or housing-element requirements. The council did not take action on those allegations during the meeting.

Mary Jackson, who identified herself as a resident, urged the council to prioritize hiring a city manager who would provide stability. Jackson listed several former staff and leaders who have left city service in recent years and said long tenures "are important" for institutional knowledge.

The council took one formal vote earlier in the meeting to approve the agenda on a 5-0 roll call. The body then recessed into closed session under California Government Code section 54957 for a public employee appointment regarding city manager interviews. When the council returned, the mayor reported there was nothing to disclose and the meeting was adjourned.

Next steps described in the meeting record: council members will interview the two finalists and, if a candidate is selected, HR would pursue contract negotiations and complete required background checks before any appointment is announced.