Politics

Residents came out to Hollister's council meeting Monday to laud the performance of the Hollister Rally manager.

County management and confidential employees reduced banked vacation time by 10 percent since the last update to the supervisors in December. Last spring, supervisors voted to limit vacation accrual to two times the annual accrual rate for employees.

San Benito County supervisors addressed two closed session items after concerns arose from local residents at a special board meeting Tuesday morning. The items were listed on the agenda as a public employee appointment regarding the assistant county administrative officer in the morning, followed by a public employee appointment regarding the county administrative officer in the afternoon.

Hollister council members Monday supported a $30 million water plan, a $44 million budget and an $89 plaque.

The Hollister City Council on Monday is set to consider approving a budget and the incoming police chief's contract.

Public criticism over the Prop. 218 majority protest process – as it relates to Hollister’s implementation of new water rates – spurred an impassioned response from the city manager at a recent council meeting.

The Sixth District Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday in favor of PV2 Energy and the county in the lawsuit from Save Panoche Valley, the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society over the 399-megawatt solar farm proposed in San Benito County.

The Hollister City Council is set to hold a special meeting Tuesday to close off side streets for the motorcycle rally and give direction on the 2013-14 budget.

Incoming Hollister Police Chief David Westrick will be sworn in July 2 at the Veterans Memorial Building.

The three agencies overseeing the Hollister Area Water Project – a $30 million set of endeavors that will help the community meet quality standards, but will just about double city users’ rates – are hosting an open house July 9.