San Benito County supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to start negotiations with the City of Hollister on a contract for fire services, a move that would end a nearly 60-year relationship between the county and Calfire.
Board members voted after a long afternoon session featuring impassioned comments from public speakers. Supervisors Anthony Botelho, Jaime De La Cruz and Robert Rivas favored talks with Hollister to contract with the city’s fire department in an expected three-year deal. Supervisors Margie Barrios and Jerry Muenzer voted against the measure.
County officials had requested bids from Hollister and Calfire. Hollister estimated its contract cost at $1.07 million, versus $1.122 million for the lowest of three “models” provided by Calfire.
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