Letter to the editor

City contract may bring unintended consequences
    Doing business in Hollister just became more expensive.  
     Hollister contracts with Precision Inspection Company (PIC) for inspections within the city. Several months ago, they issued a Request for Proposal for the same services. The only change was the Hollister “Administrative Costs,” or fee, would increase from 25 percent to 35 percent.  
     At the March 5 meeting of Hollister City Council, the council voted by, a vote of 3 to 2, to terminate the contract with PIC and initiate a contract with 4Leaf Inc. for the same building department functions.  
     It was revealed during discussions that 4Leaf charges from 5 percent to 25 percent more per hour than PCI.  Hollister chose the more expensive provider for the same service.  
     It was suggested that Hollister consolidate the building department functions with San Benito County. The jobs and money would stay in the county.  The council was not interested.  
     So inspections will cost more and Hollister will rake off a larger cut. The unintended consequences may very well be fewer inspections, meaning less business in the city.  
    The citizens of Hollister were ill served by this action by the City Council.  
 
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister