The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved
the contract with Santa Cruz Regional 911 in a 3-2 vote.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the contract with Santa Cruz Regional 911 in a 3-2 vote.
Supervisors agreed to contracting with the outside agency after contentious debate at the board chambers.
It came about three weeks after the Hollister City Council approved moving its dispatch services to Santa Cruz Regional 911.
Supervisors Margie Barrios, Anthony Botelho and Jerry Muenzer supported it, while Supervisors Jaime De La Cruz and Robert Rivas opposed the change.
The decision dates back to October when the board began looking into cutting costs and saving money with its dispatch service. The move is expected to save the city more than $260,000 annually and the county more than $90,000 each year after the two initial years, according to the feasibility study presented in the supervisors’ packet.
Opponents have argued it would cause a loss of service knowledge and local jobs.
Supporters have contended that technology will allow dispatchers who are unfamiliar with the area to still inform emergency responders, while current county dispatchers will be offered jobs in Santa Cruz.
Other benefits include offering emergency medical dispatch, which would allow dispatchers to give medical instructions over the phone before emergency personnel arrive on scene, according to the staff report.
The first year of the contract will cost the city and county $391,576. The cost would increase to $444,183 in the next year. The contract automatically renews for four years, unless it’s terminated. The cost also would be shared with San Juan Bautista and Emergency Medical Services.
The county currently spends around $600,000 on its dispatch service each year, according to budget figures.
Look back for more, including debate from the meeting, on Wednesday.
