It’s been six months since Mayor Tony Bruscia raised the idea of
exploring whether the California Department of Forestry could
provide fire service for less money than the local department. Six
months, and we have yet to see a study outlining the potential cost
savings or the drawbacks of such a move.
The council formed a fire task force in August. It’s held three
meetings and has been getting an education in how fire services
work. Next up is setting goals. No study on the CDF idea has been
ordered.
It’s been six months since Mayor Tony Bruscia raised the idea of exploring whether the California Department of Forestry could provide fire service for less money than the local department. Six months, and we have yet to see a study outlining the potential cost savings or the drawbacks of such a move.
The council formed a fire task force in August. It’s held three meetings and has been getting an education in how fire services work. Next up is setting goals. No study on the CDF idea has been ordered.
It should be much further along by now. We still don’t know if the CDF idea even merits debate. And we fear it means that the sense of urgency over solving the city’s budget problems may have ebbed.
In May, when Bruscia raised the idea, there was a pressing need to find budget solutions. There were impending city layoffs, the council was staring at budget shortfalls and was scrambling to find ways to balance the books.
Now, the layoffs have mostly been averted through retirements and a one-time sale of land from the city to the Redevelopment Agency. But, make no mistake, we’re still in a difficult situation. When the next fiscal year comes at the end of June, Hollister will be looking at more deficits.
The long-term financial stability of the city must be tended to. In fact, we suspect that was a large part of the reason the voters brought in three new council members this week.
That means exploring money saving ideas like the CDF option or consolidating fire service with the county should not be on the back burner.
We’re not advocating doing away with the Hollister Fire Department. Fire Chief Bill Garringer has raised valid points about the dangers of losing local control to CDF. We are, however, advocating for the City Council to put the city budget at the top of their list of priorities and to explore all cost-saving measures quickly.
Perhaps, Council member-elect Doug Emerson, who has an extensive fiscal background, can be pressed into duty early to take a role in advancing budget savings.
How can the city make the right financial decisions without all the information? Examining every financial option will be crucial to balancing the city’s budget. Study a county-wide fire district. Study the CDF option. But do it now.
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