Hollister
– The City Council has decided to move forward with City Manager
Clint Quilter’s deficit reduction plan.
Hollister – The City Council has decided to move forward with City Manager Clint Quilter’s deficit reduction plan.
The council met Saturday morning to take a closer look at the plan and explore alternatives. Councilmembers and city staffers had previously said they hoped that some of the cuts – particularly to public safety – could be avoided.
On Saturday, however, the council expressed support for Quilter’s plan without changes.
“It’s the best we can do, given the circumstances,” Councilman Doug Emerson told the Free Lance on Monday.
Hollister is currently coping with a budget deficit that could, according to staff estimates, eventually eat up all of the city’s reserves.
Quilter’s plan calls for two rounds of cuts. During the first round, 12 full-time positions will be eliminated, service in nearly every department will be reduced and recreation department fees will be increased.
One of the more controversial cuts has been the elimination of the fire department’s ladder truck/rescue company for one-third of the time.
“Losing the ladder truck for one shift is going to be pretty devastating for the fire department,” Fire Chief Bill Garringer said.
Garringer said he understands why the cuts are necessary, but he pointed out that under Quilter’s plan, the city would still have $3.2 million in its reserves
“It would only take around $200,000 to save the truck company,” Garringer said. “I hate to see money in the bank when there’s a lack of service.”
Quilter’s plan also includes the elimination of four police officers. At previous council meetings, Police Chief Jeff Miller has argued that his department is already understaffed.
“It’s unfortunate that these things have to happen, but at the police department, we will continue to do the best we can with the resources we have,” Miller said Monday.
Mayor Brad Pike, who is a captain with the Saratoga Fire Department, said he’d hoped the city could avoid making all the cuts to public safety, but ultimately, he thinks they’re necessary.
“It may not be the most desirable for the city’s ultimate goals, but we have to stay afloat,” he said.
Pike also encouraged local residents to stay involved in the process, so that the council can reassess the cuts if necessary.
The council plans to vote on the deficit reduction plan Monday.
When asked how much flexibility the council will have after approving the plan, Quilter said, “(The council) can change anything they want. We’re going to see how things work out.”
The first round of cuts would amount to savings of $558,000 for fiscal year 2006-2007 and $1.2 million for subsequent years.
The second round would begin in fiscal year 2008-2009 and total $765,999 annually. Quilter said most of the first-round cuts should take effect on March 1.
Longtime Hollister resident Kent Child said he’s still disappointed that Hollister voters did not approve Measure R in the Nov. 7 election. The measure would have tackled the deficit with a 1 percent sales-tax increase, rather than service cuts.
However, Child said he applauds the council for seeking public input and making some tough choices.
Noting he’s had to face similar budget problems as a trustee for Gavilan College, Child said, “I don’t envy them. … I just hope that little old Hollister weathers the storm and makes it safely to shore.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
