Barstow s council majority aims for more control with different form of government
New members vote in favor of allowing themselves to hire, fire some staff
Victorville Daily Press
The city of Barstow could soon be running under an alternative form of government wherein the City Council would have more control over the hiring and firing of personnel, specifically department heads.
The City Council voted 3-2 during Tuesday’s meeting to direct City Attorney Matthew Summers to draft an ordinance that would transition the city from a traditional council-city manager type of government to one run by a city administrator.
Under the city administrator form, the City Council can determine the administrator’s powers and duties and “may decide which employees are to be hired, disciplined, and terminated.” The City Council can also determine which employees would be under sole control of the administrator, according to a staff report.
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.”