Ignacio Velazquez wants to bring a business-like approach to Hollister government and remove barriers to help encourage new commerce here.
Velazquez, 47, is owner of The Vault restaurant and American Electrical Services in downtown Hollister. He said if he is elected, the city would “work with you” – regarding businesses – and make things happen. Economic development would create new revenues, and one way to attract new businesses is to lower impact fees, he said.
“Without a vision or a direction, we go nowhere,” Velazquez said.
Velazquez is among the four candidates running for Hollister mayor on the Nov. 6 ballot.
As for the proposed 1 percent Measure E sales tax on the same ballot, Velazquez opposes the idea but said he has plans in if it passes or fails. If it passes, he would put 50 percent of the money into public safety, 30 percent into infrastructure and 20 percent into reserves. The proposal would extend the current 8.25 percent tax and raise about $3.2 million annually for personnel costs.
“If an earthquake happens or something happens, we need to make sure something’s there,” he said.
If it fails, he said, “I’m still going to make sure we’re funding public safety first.”
Velazquez said the budget “should have been attacked” many years ago. He said the city’s previously approved “austerity plan” in the event Measure E fails is “made up.” The council-approved plan calls for laying off many employees, mostly in the police and fire departments.
“I don’t think it’s realistic,” he said. “I think it was designed as a scare tactic.”
Velazquez said he supports consolidation efforts and other creative methods for cost savings.
“The city needs to keep everything open,” he said.
But at the same time, the city should look at departments “one by one,” he said. He said police and fire departments are a “little more difficult.” Proposals to consolidate the police and county sheriff’s office, and the city and county fire departments, have been rejected in recent years.
“They’re bigger departments,” he said, “and how does it cover an area?”
As for other ideas for revenue sources, such as special tax districts, Velazquez said he opposes such efforts. The county has been broaching an idea for a parks district, for one.
“It’s not the right time to be bringing up some of these other taxes,” he said, going on later: “Taxes end up being more of a cover for a problem you’re having.”
One area where officials have focused for redevelopment – and eventual revenue growth – is the west side. Velazquez said he supports such efforts on the west side, but not with government funding, as has been planned.
“The real plan is to work with the landowners and developers and build it without using government money,” he said.
Overall, Velazquez said the city has not kept up with infrastructure needs, particularly road conditions. He wants to ensure that developers pay for “their own roads.” He said the biggest problems with local infrastructure are bad planning and bad budget management.
“The money has to be allocated to make these improvements,” he said.
Otherwise, the candidate – who has made unsuccessful runs for Assembly and Congressional seats – said the first at-large mayor must have a vision.
“Rather than just making threats to the citizens about what they’re going to cut off if they don’t give them more money,” he said.
