The City of Long Beach is looking for a new city manager.

The city council announced Tuesday that it has mutually agreed to part ways with city manager Donna Gayden.

Gayden's contract was set to expire at the end of the year.

No formal reason was given for the abrupt change.

The city council voted to appoint city police Chief Ronald Walsh as its acting city manager -- effective beginning Wednesday.

Some residents at Tuesday night's meeting were caught off guard by the sudden change.

Gayden had served as city manager since 2020 when she was recruited to help the city turnaround its city's finances.

City Councilmember John Bendo called her a "huge asset to the city," and said she will be missed.