Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Benito County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
23 issues
Election integrity and election-night results
Days before Election Day, the board retroactively cleaned up two years of voting-system contract paperwork and approved the vendor's name change to Liberty Vote USA. The CEO publicly criticized the Clerk-Recorder for going around her office.
Homelessness down 57% in county count
The January 2026 count found 267 people experiencing homelessness versus 621 in 2024, but officials cautioned the riverbed cleanup scattered encampments and made counting harder, and all remaining chronically homeless individuals were unsheltered.
DA and Probation building roof repair
The roof over the District Attorney and Probation offices is deteriorated enough that officials fear a collapse in heavy winter storms. The Board approved a ~$120,000 repair project (with contingency allowances) and agreed to pay for it out of the $500,000 emergency-preparedness fund.
Emergency services leadership and disaster council
An outside review found 17 gaps in the county's emergency readiness — thin OES staffing, missing or outdated plans, and weak documentation of training — just as an El Niño winter approaches. The Board wants a director-level position consolidating OES, EMS, fire and 911 oversight, and asked for salary and funding options.
MEG Labor Imposition and County Fiscal Crisis
County management employees (MEG) are fighting the county's push to eliminate paid FLSA time during contract negotiations. Five employees told the board they routinely work unpaid extra hours, and MEG's president cited county figures showing members donated about $295,000 worth of uncompensated time last fiscal year.
Wildfire preparedness and Firewise communities
After months of scrutiny, the solar farm showed progress on weed abatement, fire safety training, and CDFW permit amendments — enough for the commission to find it in compliance, with the warning that any future fires will trigger another look.
Tres Pinos Water Project Pass-Through Funding
The county passed through $549,101 in state money to Sunnyslope Water District after a supervisor questioned the thin invoice documentation.
Super El Niño storm preparedness and local emergency declaration
NOAA projects a very strong El Niño with heavy winter storms, and the governor has already declared a statewide emergency. The county declared its own local emergency to fast-track contracts, set aside $500,000, and is asking residents in flood-prone areas to clean creeks, sign up for alerts, and have evacuation plans.
Highway 25 Widening and AB 2059 VMT Exemption
Speed feedback signs went up in 2024 but Caltrans won't add more traffic calming. Residents worry about pedestrians, parking, and growing mining truck traffic through the small town.
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.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) ordinance
The county is writing new zoning rules for large-scale battery storage facilities — the kind involved in the January 2025 Moss Landing fire. The draft sets standards on water supply for firefighting, setbacks, fencing, battery chemistry, and permits, but the Commission wants it toughened before recommending it to the Supervisors.
Hippo Harvest facility landscaping
A major new leafy greens facility brings jobs and road improvements to a busy commuter corridor, but commissioners faulted a $50,000 road fee as far too low and rewrote conditions to require $180,000 for turn lanes plus right-of-way dedications.
Allium Solar and Storage project permitting delay
Longroad Energy says its Allium project application, deemed complete in August 2025, has gone 14 months without progress due in part to the BESS moratorium. The developer asked the county to allow the CEQA process to continue while approvals stay frozen — but the commission couldn't act because the topic wasn't on the agenda.
Data center ordinance ahead
Commissioner Gibson wants the county to start writing a data center ordinance now so it isn't rushed like the battery storage rules. Staff says the topic could reach the Board and Commission before the end of the year.
Public Works Road Project Engineering Contracts
Staff raised a real decision point: redirect about $1.9 million from previously approved road projects to match a Safe Streets for All grant that could unlock roughly $9.5 million in road and safety improvements. The Board was also to pick which FY 2026-27 road projects get funded from about $3.15 million in SB 1 money.
Annexation tax-sharing agreement with Hollister under scrutiny
An attorney asked the Board to agendize the long-delayed city-county tax-sharing agreement for the Rigetti Chapel Road annexation, which the city approved months ago.
Agricultural pest emergency extended for pepper and tomato crops
The Board ratified a local emergency over beet leafhoppers, thrips and pepper weevils threatening the county's $15M tomato and $16.5M pepper crops, unlocking emergency pesticide use and possible state disaster aid.
Recall petition against Supervisor Kosmicki underway
The June 2 recall of Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez passed by 33 votes and is now officially certified. Voters in District 5 will pick a replacement on November 3, 2026.
Overhaul of county public defender system with $1.7M state grant
A resident cited the county's own evaluation showing the defense system handled 1,100+ cases a year with as few as one or two attorneys. The state has set aside $1.7 million for an institutional public defender's office, and the speaker asked that funds stay dedicated to defense.
Environmental health fee increases sent back for more input
Fees for restaurant inspections, septic, wells, and food permits haven't gone up since 2014, leaving the program about 37.7% short on costs. Staff proposed phased increases over 3, 5, or 7 years, but with only a 6% survey response from businesses, supervisors want more outreach before voting — delays cost the county realignment dollars in the meantime.
New budget and emergency management leadership positions
The county has struggled for a year to fill its top budget job, so it's boosting pay ~25% and retitling the position to chief budget officer. It's also adding a deputy director of emergency services to better prep for storms, fires, and earthquakes — and to recover overdue disaster reimbursements.
Wastewater/LAMP program discussion requested
Supervisor Zanger asked for a future discussion on the county's Local Agency Management Program for septic systems, after hearing resident concerns; Curro wants the Hollister wastewater plant history included.
Road projects prioritized for safety; rural roads concern remains
Staff raised a real decision point: redirect about $1.9 million from previously approved road projects to match a Safe Streets for All grant that could unlock roughly $9.5 million in road and safety improvements. The Board was also to pick which FY 2026-27 road projects get funded from about $3.15 million in SB 1 money.