Politics

San Benito County supervisors expressed their initial concerns about two petitions put forth by a private citizen that could potentially put ballot initiatives on the primary election next June to allow the sale of medical marijuana in the county and create tax revenue from such sales.

The owner of a medical marijuana dispensary that has been operating on Highway 25 in San Benito County has plans to circulate countywide initiatives in regards to the legalization and taxation of medical marijuana, to potentially appear on a statewide ballot in June 2014.

San Benito County will continue efforts to sustain parks and recreation with a possibility of the county creating Parks and Recreation Champions to conduct public outreach.

The Hollister City Council has appointed planning official Bill Avera as interim city manager.

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.