After less than a year on the job, Los Banos city manager is out, local leaders say
The Los Banos City Council voted to terminate City Manager Josh Pinheiro Wednesday night, less than a year into his tenure as the city’s top administrator.
Although a majority of Council members voted to dismiss the former city manager during a closed session meeting following the regular City Council agenda, the decision was not unanimous.
City officials did not publicly state a reason for letting Pinheiro go.
“By a vote of three to two, the City Council has taken action to terminate City Manger Josh Pinheiro’s at will employment without cause, pursuant to his employment agreement with the city,” Mayor Pro Tempore Kenneth Lambert stated after the council members exited the closed session.
Termination without cause typically means an employee is being let go, but not due to any serious misconduct.
Lambert and District 3 Councilmember Brett Jones each cast the “no” votes against Pinheiro’s dismissal.
Mayor Tom Faria, District 2 Councilmember Refugio Llamas and District 4 Councilmember Deborah Lewis voted in support of termination.
Pinheiro had only just started his role as Los Banos city manager in October.
Faria told the Sun-Star that he, the city attorney and city staff are preparing for the next step of appointing an interim city manager. The City Council will vote on the matter during a future closed session meeting.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 4:48 PM.
