In a press release emailed to The Westside Express Friday afternoon at 1 p.m., Los Banos City Manager Nirorn Than announced that Los Banos City Councilmember for District 1, Mitzy Perez, has resigned effective August 31, 2026.
She has served on the council since Oct. 1, 2025, and made the decision to step down as she begins a new chapter in her personal life.
“Serving the residents of District 1 and the greater Los Banos community has been an honor. Building a better Los Banos has always been at the heart of my work,” Perez said. “I’m grateful to my fellow councilmembers for their mentorship and support throughout my time on the Council.”
Since joining the Los Banos City Council, Perez has focused on enhancing quality of life for residents and supporting thoughtful, responsible growth. She has been a strong advocate for public education, parks, recreation and community amenities that provide children and families with opportunities to learn, play, gather and thrive.
“It has been a pleasure to serve on council with Mitzy Perez. She was eager to learn and share her vision for District 1 and the City. I wish her the best and encourage her to pursue her passion to help others,” said Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis.
Perez also supported investments in the infrastructure and essential services needed to serve a growing community. She voted in favor of the City’s Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget, a $165.3 million spending plan that includes approximately $71 million for roads, parks, public safety, water and wastewater infrastructure and other community priorities.
Councilmember Refugio Llamas commended Perez’s willingness to dig into complex issues and bring new perspectives to the Council’s work.
“She asked the hard questions of our staff on various public works projects and immersed herself in learning and applying what she learned. Her insight within key demographics brought new ideas and perspectives on how to address our residents’ concerns,” Llamas said.
Mayor Michael Amabile also reflected on Perez’s time on the council.
“As Mayor, on behalf of the city of Los Banos, I want to wish Councilmember Mitzy Perez well as she begins a new chapter in her life. Her departure is a loss for our city. She developed a strong understanding of the position and the responsibilities of serving on the council,” Amabile said. “Mitzy brought a valuable, fresh perspective to our discussions and decisions, and she will be greatly missed, not only as a councilmember but also as a colleague.”
The City will discuss the process to fill the vacancy at a future open public meetin
