The City of Lodi has appointed Aaron Busch, the recently retired city manager of Vacaville, CA, as its interim city manager — the latest chapter in a leadership crisis that has consumed City Hall for nearly a year and cost taxpayers over $1 million. The City Council discussed the interim recruitment in closed session on February 11 and is expected to formalize the appointment at its February 19 meeting.

Lodi’s City Council has initiated proceedings to remove City Manager Scott Carney while Acting City Manager James Lindsay nears his CalPERS 960-hour cap, creating urgent pressure to finalize interim leadership and accelerate the permanent city manager search.