Talks of contract mergers are brewing again for area fire and police departments.
On Monday, the Hollister City Council made two moves to spark discussions on possible contract agreements in law enforcement and fire protection. Council members agreed to request proposals for a fire contract with San Benito County, while they voted 3-2 to merely initiate talks at the intergovernmental committee level about a law enforcement contract with the county.
Law enforcement consolidation discussions previously heated up in 2010 and 2011, when a hired consultant recommended against a merger deal, citing that it would save just over $300,000 annually between the two governments.
Even the idea of just sending the topic to the intergovernmental committee this week, though, sparked debate among council members and drew more than two dozen city police supporters expressing concern about financial impacts on them from a deal.
Still, Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, along with council members Robert Scattini and Pauline Valdivia, voted to send the item to the intergovernmental committee. Councilmen Victor Gomez and Ray Friend were against discussing a law enforcement contract.
Then on Tuesday, the intensifying discussions continued at the board of supervisors meeting and another meeting of the San Juan Bautista City Council. Supervisors voted unanimously to request a formal proposal from the city and Calfire, which has long provided the county’s services from a Fairview Road station, for a merger agreement.
At the San Juan Bautista council meeting, officials supported the city’s plan – which incorporates the Mission City’s volunteer department – and agreed to fund the building of a fire house.
Look back for more and reaction from officials.
