Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Benito County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in public safety with medium priority
SB 255 Recorder Notification Program and $5 Fee
Starting February 25, 2027, recorded deeds and mortgages trigger a mailed fraud alert to property owners, funded by a new $5 per-document fee.
CIP list cleanup and Fire Station 5 / San Juan Oaks
The county agreed to be a host site for potential state-funded EV fast chargers at the San Juan Oaks parking lot with Citizen Energy, pending a California Energy Commission grant award.
Shelter capacity and displaced residents
HHSA lined up shelter sites (San Benito Farm Housing with 288 beds, Veterans Hall with 75-100 beds), hotels for medically vulnerable residents, and partnerships with the Red Cross, Food Bank and local nonprofits. The board also discussed repairing 11 idle RVs (~$10,000-13,000) and using vacant migrant housing units for displaced families.
Extreme heat and community resilience grant
A nonprofit wants county help on a heat-resilience hub grant, but the application listed the county as a co-applicant with staffing and infrastructure obligations. Supervisors voted to support the project — but only as a non-binding supporter, not a co-applicant.
Speeding and school-zone safety on Tevis Trail
A District 1 resident reported speeding, stolen 25-mph signs, and double parking near a full-capacity school, and asked for help. Supervisors discussed speed humps and a pending public works speed bump policy.
AB109 public safety realignment funding
The county's AB109 trust fund holds nearly $11.9 million and pays for 22.5 county positions plus jail programs, DA and public defender case management systems. The board ratified the annual plan.
Lawsuit against Sunny Slope Water District
The county is suing the Sunny Slope Water District for ignoring a public records request since May — and wants its attorney fees back.
Sheriff's Department Cost Savings Proposal
A supporting document outlined roughly $1.04 million in potential savings if several Sheriff's positions go unfunded, alongside retention bonus and longevity pay proposals for law enforcement and probation staff — a staffing-versus-budget question with public safety implications.
Esperanza Wellness Center repurposing
Prop 1 means the county can no longer fund the downtown wellness center as a standalone drop-in site; it will now host treatment screening, therapy, forensic court teams and a new housing navigation team to justify its ~$203,000 annual cost.
Animal control services overhaul
The county pays more than the city of Hollister for shelter services that supervisors say have degraded — limited hours, no large-animal capacity. The ad hoc will explore partnerships with Pet Friends, other nonprofits, or a San Martin/Santa Clara County facility.
EMS Billing with City of Hollister
The Board was scheduled to act on a resolution involving City of Hollister emergency medical services invoices, which touches on how ambulance service costs are shared between the county and the city.