June’s election will have ballot measures for future changes to the structure of Hollister’s City Council to reduce the number of districts and add an at-large mayor elected by the entire city. I support these proposals and the related measure giving the mayoral position a four-year term. If they are approved, the city will eventually consolidate its five districts into four, each represented by a council member. Those members plus the new position of at-large mayor will constitute the five-member city council.
The city plans to phase in the new structure as council positions expire. I believe implementation of this new arrangement offers the best opportunity to improve the council’s internal and external effectiveness, especially Hollister’s political influence with the county, state, and federal governments. Those changes are essential to revitalize a weak organizational structure that has failed to meet challenges it faced over the last 10 years.
I cannot be guarantee better results; as council member and appointed Mayor Ray Friend said, we might spend $30,000 on the election and be no better off than today; it depends all on who gets the job. However, I believe the potential upside gain far outweighs any downside risk. An at-large mayor could be a game changer and we must give ourselves every chance because the alternative is the eventual economic and accompanying social erosion of the city.
While Hollister’s $14 million General Fund budget gets all the headlines because it involves the hot-button issues of police, fire, and direct taxes, many people forget that total city expenditures were $65 million in 2009-10 that drop to $50 million this year. Much of what we do is paid for from dedicated taxes we already pay, fund transfers, grants, state, and federal programs. That does not even touch upon the huge amounts administered by the county that directly affect city residents. These are big picture and big-ticket items where even a modest percentage increase in state and federal programs or reduction in costs will have a large positive impact on our well-being.
I have repeatedly written about our inability to get an adequate share of funding from other political entities; a good at-large mayor will personally and forcefully explain our special needs to our state and federal representatives and lobby for our causes.
Our present rudderless structure has been ineffective in maintaining focus needed got long-range planning or attracting a wide range of qualified candidates to make progress in this competitive and complex political atmosphere. Although you can’t see it on paper, these deficiencies are costing the city taxpayers many times the election costs in misdirection, stagnation, stretched schedules and missed opportunities.
We are in dire need of designated leadership; someone needs to carry the political charter of the entire community. Politicians at all levels respect votes far more than letters, resolutions or rotating appointments. Political “business” is often a person-to-person process; an at-large mayor will act as the face and voice of Hollister. The city manager should manage – the mayor should represent the community.
The proposed changes are not perfect, but that should not prevent us from accepting the significant improvements they could provide. The current system does not encourage candidates to articulate directions or set goals for the city as a whole. Typically, council candidates canvass their districts and focus on district concerns first; then they take office and find that many of their decisions have great impact overall city. A good at-large mayor can provide what we need.
Marty Richman is a Hollister resident. His column appears Tuesdays.
