The San Benito County board of supervisors added an emergency item to the agenda Tuesday to approve out-of-state travel for Supervisor Jerry Muenzer.
Muenzer, the supervisor for District 4 and south San Benito County, received an invitation to testify at a legislative hearing in Washington D.C. on Friday. He will testify before the subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public Lands in support of the House of Representatives bill 3641 – an effort to establish Pinnacles National Monument as a national park.
The approximate cost of the travel form June 7 through June 9 is $1,866, though Muenzer said he is hoping to bring the cost in lower by covering his own mileage and meal expenses during the trip.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho asked if there was a Motel 6, in regards to the $512.96 budget for lodging. Supervisor Margie Barrios chimed in that staying with a relative would be even better. Joking aside, the supervisors supported the invitation to speak at the hearing.
“I’m glad we will have a chance to testify on behalf of San Benito County,” Botelho said. “The specific reason he is going is because of what Pinnacles as a national park would mean for San Benito.”
He encouraged Muenzer to also discuss the reopening of Clear Creek to off-road vehicles and reopening San Justo reservoir if he had an opportunity.
“I want to support this because I’ve been fortunate enough to testify at the state level and I’ve seen the reaction and support we receive by showing what we would like to get,” Barrios said. “It will be worthwhile effort. A national park will put us on the national map out there.”
The supervisors approved a transfer from the salaries and benefits classification to services and supplies classification to augment the cost of the travel.
