The Hollister City Council on Monday is set to consider an
extension to interim Police Chief Jeff Miller’s agreement that
started when he officially retired from the permanent role at the
end of the year.
The Hollister City Council on Monday is set to consider an extension to interim Police Chief Jeff Miller’s agreement that started when he officially retired from the permanent role at the end of the year.
Council members at their 6:30 p.m. meeting at Hollister City Hall are scheduled to consider approving the extension for another 960 hours, or six months.
The city hired Miller as police chief in August 2003. He retired at the end of 2010, but agreed to remain under the interim chief title.
A big reason for keeping Miller as a bridge has been the ongoing study of prospectively consolidating the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and Hollister Police Department. A staff report for Monday’s meeting estimates the consolidation study could be done in mid-July.
“Until it is complete it will be very difficult to get a reasonable pool of qualified applicants for the position,” according to the city staff report.
The city also faces a troublesome fiscal outlook, and Miller provides some savings – about $40,000 for the six months – because he no longer receives health benefits from Hollister.
“Assuming there is a consolidation, it will take a few months to work out the details between the City and the County,” according to the report. “Assuming there isn’t consolidation, it will take a few months to complete the recruitrnent process.”
Additionally, the Hollister Police Officers Association endorsed keeping Miller on as chief in a letter to the city manager.
