After a four-year reign as the county’s presiding judge, 14-year
veteran San Benito County Superior Court Judge Harry Tobias will be
passing the gavel and a host of administrative duties to Judge
Steven Sanders on Jan. 3.
Hollister – After a four-year reign as the county’s presiding judge, 14-year veteran San Benito County Superior Court Judge Harry Tobias will be passing the gavel and a host of administrative duties to Judge Steven Sanders on Jan. 3.
Sanders, who first donned the robe four years ago and is finally eligible for the role of presiding judge, is ready to take on the added responsibility of doling out cases to other judges and performing administrative functions, he said.
As presiding judge, Sanders will be in charge of hiring, overseeing personnel, dealing directly with budgetary issues and union negotiations with employees, among other duties, he said. The new title will also add an additional $2,880 to his annual salary – a total of nearly $147,000 a year.
Sanders said he has a long history of performing administrative duties from his prior jobs as San Benito County counsel and interim county administrative officer.
“It’s going to be kind of fun to go back to more administrative duties,” Sanders said. “Although, both Judge Tobias and I are of fairly similar philosophies and I hope to make the transition fairly seamless.”
Tobias said he is ready for a change after his four years at the top. Although there are two superior court judges and Sanders is the only other choice, Tobias believes he’ll be a more than adequate replacement. The position will rotate between the two judges every two years from now on.
“At this point I’m just glad to have Steve take on the opportunity he has to make improvements in the court, and hoping I learn from him as much as he’s learned from me,” Tobias said. “I don’t think he’ll have any difficulties taking on this role.”
Because of the court’s small size, the position of presiding judge doesn’t carry as much authority as it would in a larger county, Sanders said.
But it remains a seat of power because the presiding judge designates what cases each judge hears and runs much of the court’s daily functions, he said.
“It’s a position that directs the court’s course,” Sanders said. “What we all hear is decided by the presiding judge.”
One of the biggest challenges Sanders anticipates is dealing with budgetary issues alongside Court Executive Officer Alex Calvo. He will also help with union negotiations, which are tense right now because court employees claim the administration is trying to cut their healthcare benefits and make them pay for their own retirement.
“We’re looking at a lot of shortfalls,” Sanders said. “We’re either the fourth or fifth busiest court in the state based upon the number of filings per judge, and I’m looking at being more efficient.”
Calvo said both Sanders and Tobias have been involved with the union negotiations every step of the way so there should be no major issues with the changing of the guard. He also believes Sanders will do well because of his extensive administrative background.
“This being the first time (in four years) people have some questions, but I think they’ll find operations will continue to run smoothly,” Calvo said. “I think he’ll be a very good leader for this organization.”
Although Tobias has been presiding judge for the last four years, he said they will most likely make the role a two-year position to keep things fresh. But because there’s only two full-time judges, Tobias and Sanders will still work side-by-side most of the time.
“We both share a love for the court,” Sanders said. “It’s extremely nice to work with someone who cares as much about the court as I do.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
