Barstow owes an estimated $2.9 million in deferred pay related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which amounts to nearly 40% of they city s general fund, and the number is growing.
Barstow City Manager Nikki Salas placed on paid administrative leave
Assistant City Manager Cindy Prothro, Barstow s second-in-command, retires
Victorville Daily Press
Barstow’s top administrative official is on paid administrative leave, a little more than a month after three new council members were sworn in at the end of last year.
City Manager Nikki Salas who was hired by the city in 2019 was placed on leave as of Jan. 8, city spokesperson Amanda Hernandez said in an email.
Salas did not respond to a message seeking comment on Thursday.
During closed session on Monday, the City Council appointed Barstow Police Chief Albert Ramirez as manager pro tem. The city’s municipal code states that this position is served during “any temporary absence or disability of the city manager.”