Los Banos police chief to serve as interim city manager

Los Banos’ top cop will also serve as its top administrator while the City Council works to find a permanent manager.

The council appointed police Chief Gary Brizzee as the interim city manager during a special meeting Thursday. He’ll serve after City Manager Steve Carrigan leaves for a similar job in Merced on Jan. 25.

Brizzee has some experience as an interim city manager: He served in that role for six months before the city hired Carrigan in April 2013.

Brizzee’s pay will increase from $11,547 to $12,505 per month while he serves in the interim spot, officials said. The council is expected to begin recruitment for a permanent successor in the coming months.

“We are fortunate to have employees with such a wealth of knowledge to carry on the city’s work until a permanent replacement can be found,” Mayor Mike Villalta said in a news release. “I don’t anticipate this change in leadership slowing the city down one bit.”

Los Banos’ City Council moved forward last week with plans to hire Rocklin-based Ralph Andersen and Associates to help with its search for a permanent city manager.

Brizzee is a lifelong resident of Los Banos. He has earned a bachelor’s in criminal justice with a minor in sociology, and a master’s in criminal justice, according to a news release. In 2009, Brizzee attended a session of the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Va.

“I am honored to lead the city as the interim city manager,” Brizzee said in a news release. “There are a number of projects pending. This role will be challenging for me and I look forward to being part of the city’s continued success.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 6:33 PM with the headline "Los Banos police chief to serve as interim city manager."