Hollister Needs Better Management, Not Cuts
Hollister Needs Better Management, Not Cuts
Dear Editor,
After reading the article in the Jan. 9, 2007, Freelance, “City Moving Ahead With Service Cuts” I have to comment on a few of the proposed cuts as follows:
1) Elimination of smaller pothole repair. What is the cost difference between fixing small versus large potholes? The city seems to have a more than adequate staff with lots of new trucks and equipment.
2) Elimination of downtown clean-up except sweeping. My street is swept once a week which is ridiculous. Why not change this once a week sweeping to once a month and use the savings to clean up downtown?
3) Closure of Park Restrooms. Recreation Department fees are proposed to be increased. Why does this not cover the restrooms? What does it cost to clean restrooms?
4) City Hall closed to public one day a week. Is the proposal to reduce the city workers to four days a week? If not, what cost reduction is this?
4) One-third fire ladder truck reduction. Chief Garringer stated in the article that $200,000 is all that is needed to keep the truck full time. The Hollister Airport salaries budget has increased by over $178,000 since 2005, with two new people hired just recently. Is increased staff at the airport more important than the city fire and police departments?
5) Reduction of stray animal holding period before euthanasia. What significant savings is this?
In summary, the proposed service cuts appear to be aimed at influencing Hollister voters to reconsider the Measure R sales tax increase that was voted down in November. Maybe the bottom line is that Hollister needs to be managed more efficiently and some realistic reductions are possibly way past due. Attend the City Council Meeting Jan. 16 at 6:30pm, City Hall on Fifth Street. Voice your opinion.
N. Brooks
Hollister
