Hollister approves contract with Santa Cruz; supes to consider
issue
The Hollister City Council this week voted to contract with
Santa Cruz Regional 911 for dispatch services, and the county board
will be next in considering a move met with stanch opposition from
the local union representing the San Benito County Communications
workers.
Hollister approves contract with Santa Cruz; supes to consider issue
The Hollister City Council this week voted to contract with Santa Cruz Regional 911 for dispatch services, and the county board will be next in considering a move met with stanch opposition from the local union representing the San Benito County Communications workers.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the contract, which officials estimated would save about $200,000 annually for the city as well as another $60,000 annually for San Benito County.
Councilman Robert Scattini had the dissenting vote, while the decision followed a study and negotiations between Santa Cruz Regional 911 and local governments.
Although critics expressed concerns about lost service, jobs and a perception that the project savings was bloated, council members agreed to the change.
Many of the critics who spoke at Monday’s meeting contended that either the data was flawed or there should be more time to research the topic. Some council members during the meeting cited receiving around 40 to 50 calls over the matter.
One of the residents who walked door to door this past weekend to talk with residents about the proposal said about 90 percent of citizens were concerned about jobs being lost.
“We’re losing more and more jobs in this area,” said Mark Patton as he spoke to council members. “This seems like another way it’s happening.”
But as supporters pointed out, all 12 of the dispatchers stationed at the San Benito County Communications center will be offered jobs in Santa Cruz.
Others in favor of the idea were more frank about the city’s troublesome fiscal outlook, projections showing a zero balance in the reserve account – and a $3.5 million deficit – in just two years when the 1 percent Measure T sales tax expires.
“The business council believes this is fiscally responsible for the city of Hollister as well as San Benito County,” said Jim Conklin, executive director of the San Benito County Business Council.
Conklin went on: “Nobody likes hard choices, but that’s what it is.”
Still, critics believed it was about more than money. Some speakers pointed out how there will be extra costs, such as those for deputies retrieving warrants on a moment’s notice. Others contended that the dispatchers won’t be as familiar with the area’s geography being 40 miles away.
Scattini didn’t get into specifics on his opposition, but told council members that in four years they would regret the deal.
“I don’t think it’s fair to these employees,” Scattini said. “They do an excellent job. They’re all professionals. Santa Cruz would be really proud to have these girls working for them – I can tell you that right now.
“It’s a mistake we’re making, so I’m not for it. I haven’t been for it since day one, and that’s the reason.”
One active public speaker, though, mentioned how the council will have a lot more hard choices ahead and that this is just the start.
“You’re going to have to make several more to cover that $3.5 million deficit coming in,” said Marvin Jones, head of the county’s Republican Party committee.
A financial decision they will have to make in the short term is how to pay the county a little over $1 million it owes for past 911 dispatch service – because as City Manager Clint Quilter pointed out, Hollister pays in the rears for it and still owes some money.
