Los Banos council hires new city manager
The Los Banos City Council hired Alex Terrazas as the new city manager Wednesday night.
Terrazas is currently the assistant town manager for Truckee and will start his Los Banos post July 1, according to the employment agreement approved by City Council.
The five-year agreement gives Terrazas an annual base salary of $170,000, or $14,166.66 per month.
“Alex brings a broad range of experience to Los Banos that will prove valuable as we focus on important areas of economic and community development,” Mayor Mike Villalta said in a statement released after the meeting.
Terrazas’ contract gives him annual five-percent raises for the next two years.
He will have a $5,000 moving expense reimbursement and temporary housing reimbursement of $1,250 per month for a maximum of six months during the first year.
In addition to regular benefits provided to management positions in the city, Terrazas will receive a $75 per month phone allowance and attendance at two annual league conferences.
City Council will do an annual performance evaluation, and Terrazas’ employment agreement can be extended by the council six months before expiration on June 30, 2021.
According to the news release, Terrazas’ experience includes more than 20 years of experience working in two California cities, the League of California cities and as a congressional aide.
Terrazas has developed programs and projects relating to economic development, transit, redevelopment, state and federal legislative relations, emergency preparedness, franchise agreement administration and labor negotiations, according to the release.
Specifically, he has helped support high-tech startups and small businesses through a small business loan program and organizing a “Startup Weekend” event in the Lake Tahoe region.
“Los Banos has some great opportunities for economic development and challenging issues to deal with,” Terrazas said in the statement. “I am looking forward to working with the council, staff and community and regional partners to collaboratively address these opportunities and challenges.”
Terrazas, who is married and has a 14-year-old daughter, already has visited the city several times, according to the release.
The City Council’s approval Wednesday concludes a five-month search for a new city manager. The city hired Rocklin-based Ralph Anderson and Associates on a $18,500 contract Jan. 12 to consult with the search.
On Jan. 25, former City Manager Steve Carrigan left Los Banos to take same position for the City of Merced.
Police Chief Gary Brizzee has been serving as the interim city manager while the City Council searched for a permanent solution.
Acting Chief Ray Reyna, Brizzee will move back to his original city role once Terrazas arrives.
City Council members Wednesday congratulated Terrazas for the city manager position, and noted how the search process went well.
“The City of Los Banos staff came together to make this a smooth process,” Villalta said, adding that the city will plan an open house in July welcoming him to Los Banos.
This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 10:56 AM with the headline "Los Banos council hires new city manager."