The Board of Supervisors approved a plan this week that will
eliminate San Benito County’s Emergency Services Department and
distribute its responsibilities to different county departments – a
move that will save taxpayers about $80,000 per year.
Hollister – The Board of Supervisors approved a plan this week that will eliminate San Benito County’s Emergency Services Department and distribute its responsibilities to different county departments – a move that will save taxpayers about $80,000 per year.
Under the plan presented to the board Tuesday by County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson, the Emergency Services Department’s functions – emergency services, emergency medical services and the county’s 911 system – will be divided among the Sheriff’s Department and the Health and Human Services Department.
Supervisor Don Marcus said he has confidence that both the Sheriff’s and Health and Human Services departments will do well with their new responsibilities and that he believes the reorganization will benefit the county.
“It’s a matter of efficiency,” he said. “It’s a good cost-saving move.”
The Sheriff’s Department will take over emergency services – which coordinates a response to major catastrophes, such as earthquakes – and operating the county’s 911 system.
“We’re prepared to take that on,” Sheriff Curtis Hill said. “I’m excited.”
The Health and Human Services Department will be responsible for emergency medical services, which is charged with certifying paramedic personnel and coordinating ambulance service.
While the elimination of the department will mean cutting the department head position, current director Margie Riopel will not lose her job but rather be reassigned as a management analyst for the county, according to Thompson. Eliminating the director of emergency services position will save the county about $80,000 per year, and the rest of the department staff will continue their jobs within the Sheriff’s or Health and Human Services departments, according to Thompson.
Thompson’s plan to eliminate the Emergency Services Department also included a 5 percent pay raise for both Hill and Health and Human Services Director Kathy Flores as compensation for taking on added duties. While supervisors generally agreed with increasing Hill and Flores’ compensation, they weren’t sure that 5 percent was the right amount. Thompson said that 5 percent was an “arbitrary number” that she had seen used in the past in similar situations in the county.
“I don’t deny that there should be a percentage increase,” Supervisor Reb Monaco said during the meeting. “I just think it should be based on some information.”
Ultimately, the Board approved the reorganization of the Department of Emergency Services without the 5 percent pay increase for Hill and Flores, asking Thompson to come back in three months with some criteria for raising the salaries.
“I feel strongly that if we’re asking these people to do more, they deserve more,” Marcus said.
While transferring the Emergency Services Department responsibilities to the Sheriff’s Department and the Health and Human Services Department is effective Jan. 29, Thompson said it will likely be a gradual transition over the next few months.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
