LLANO NAMES POLICE CHIEF JOHN BAUER CITY MANAGER
A permanent city manager is in place, and Llano must now recruit a new police chief.
Llano has settled one leadership question while opening another. City Council voted unanimously to offer Police Chief John Bauer the permanent city manager position after he served as interim manager beginning in September.
According to reporting published November 6, Bauer will transition into the job at an annual salary of $120,000. Police Lt. Les Hartman is serving as interim police chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement.
The decision matters because city management touches budgets, public works, personnel and development decisions across Llano. Bauer brings law-enforcement leadership experience, including service with police departments in Horseshoe Bay, San Saba and Plano, but the city manager role has a broader scope.
Residents should watch upcoming council agendas for details on the police chief search and city administration priorities. The appointment was reported November 6; this November 9 article explains the transition rather than claiming a new vote occurred today.
Reporting basis: Local reporting and original source details. Published November 9, 2026.