Panelists answered the following question: Do you believe contract arrangements between the two cities and county, for sharing of services in both fire protection and law enforcement, would be beneficial to the community as a whole?
Ruth Erickson: It could be beneficial but these ideas have been discussed for years and we still have the same services! Consultants have been hired for over 25 years, to recommend various scenarios for law enforcement and fire protection consolidation to benefit the community. We should consider contracting with, as well as consolidation of, departments for more efficiency, which, in turn, could save money for the departments. Will these new discussions require yet antoher high-paid consultant to write yet another report, which, as with the others, will be filed in yet another desk drawer?
Mary Zanger: Yes, I believe servces should be combined. City folk live also in the county. Some supervisor and some council districts overlap. While city police take care of city law enforcement and the sheriff’s department takes care of county law enforcement, the city fire department takes care of the city while Calfire manages the fire districts in the county. Although this arrangement has value, it still seems that combining services would be a more efficient use of personnel, equipment, and stations.
Richard Herrera: We would need to discuss the pros & cons but I say yes. I believe there will be obstacles which will prevent this partnership.
Bill Mifsud: It is a matter of service first and money second. If response times are quicker and more officers and firefighters are on the beat then I am all for it. Too save money it is not important to me but response time is.
Richard Place: I believe you should look at each problem separate. It appears that the proposed fire program using the Hollister Fire would work out well for both the County and the City. Cal Fire would still service the rural areas of the County. The police problem belongs to the City. They must decided to terminate the police dept. and contract with the County. The sales tax fix is only temporary and the problem is still there.
Marty Richman: Yes, we simply cannot afford any duplication. We have to increase the level of public safety on the front lines and the only way to do it with limited revenue is to reduce overhead costs through cooperative effort.
