Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Benito County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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An outside review found 17 gaps in the county's emergency readiness — thin OES staffing, missing or outdated plans, and weak documentation of training — just as an El Niño winter approaches.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FY 2026-27 County Interim Budget
The county's short-term spending plan that keeps operations running until the final budget is adopted. Supervisors were to weigh in on service levels, staffing, capital projects and reserves, and could direct staff on how to balance the budget — decisions that shape county services residents rely on.
Parks Funding Gap
The county has about $6.3 million in park impact fees, but its parks project list — led by Riverview Regional Park — faces a funding gap of over $25 million. The Board was to hear how the county plans to maintain and develop its parks.
Declining recorder's fee and property tax revenue
High interest rates are slowing real estate sales, cutting recording fees and likely reducing property transfer tax revenue countywide. Recordings are down to about 17-30 per day.
$500,000 Emergency Fund From Disaster Reserves
The CEO asked for quick access to reserves so contracts can start immediately; the board amended its motion to set aside $500,000, with ratification documents due back the following week and fuller funding discussion at the September 28 budget meeting.
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.
Evacuation planning and emergency communications
The Sheriff said the county will be 'on its own' during a statewide storm and warned residents who ignore evacuation orders may not be rescued. All emergency messaging will come through the Sheriff's office, and the county is pushing residents to sign up for SBCAlert, Nixle and know their evacuation zone.
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.
Unpermitted dwellings in flood-prone Lovers Lane area
Planning Director Prado said the county is working on a compassionate approach to unpermitted structures and RVs in flood zones — encouraging owners to legalize units rather than forcing displacement before the storms.
Creek and drainage clearing for flood prevention
Public Works is clearing culverts and culvert-prone roads countywide, and with the emergency declaration property owners can now clear creek debris without a permit — just report the work to Fish and Wildlife within 14 days. Supervisors flagged Coalinga Road, Panoche, New Idria, San Juan Canyon and Cienega Road as priority risk areas.
SEIU 521 contract negotiations
The county's largest worker union says its contract expires in 15 days and the county hasn't scheduled bargaining despite a June demand — the one planned meeting was canceled before Labor Day.
Lands of Lee affordable housing
The plan for 30 deed-restricted junior ADUs in a 141-lot subdivision stalled over whether owners actually must rent them to low-income households. Supervisors tabled it to check the litigation settlement before deciding.
OpenGov vs. ERP budget data reliability
A consultant laid out about 20 fixes for county finances, including a general reserve, quarterly department budget updates, updated fees, and an audit of the RMA — the agency behind big projects. Supervisors voiced support but haven't adopted anything yet.
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.
Dunville Estates gate and CSA 50 finances
The county finished a gate for a gated community after its contract lapsed, and now must decide who pays for ongoing gate upkeep — the board wants residents to cover it via a Prop 218 vote and is exploring pushing the community toward an HOA.
Two-hearing requirement for CFD annexations
An engineering consultant argued the county's requirement that annexations come before the board twice, 60 days apart, needlessly delays small lot splits and costs applicants over $5,000 and six months. Supervisors asked staff to investigate why the 2017 change exists.
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.
Inactive CSAs and stranded funds
Nine CSAs collect no money and provide no services after a failed 2010 fee vote, yet about $96,000 in taxpayer funds sits in their accounts. The board wants a legal path to dissolve them or return/repurpose the funds.
HOA vs. CSA/CFD model for new development
Several supervisors said the county should get out of the business of managing subdivision services, favoring HOAs for large new developments — though Curro cautioned some buyers refuse to live in HOAs. The board wants options brought back for future policy.
South County public safety staffing
The sheriff's office is short deputies and jail staff, with one jail pod shut down. The board funded full medical/dental/vision plus hiring incentives by freezing five positions, hoping to stop the bleeding on public safety.
Cannabis cultivation tax rate
The voter-approved cannabis tax could bring in $778,000 to $6 million a year depending on the rate and acreage cultivated. Supervisors pressed staff on use-it-or-lose-it protections and will set the rate in August.
Proposed hemp cultivation ban
Supervisor Sotelo wants hemp banned in the county, arguing it conflicts with cannabis grows through cross-pollination and has mainly attracted rule-breakers. The Ag Commissioner agreed the program has been a time sink, and the Board will take it up with the code amendments.
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.
Energy bill transparency (AB1761)
The board endorsed AB1761, which would make it clearer how the fee charged to customers who leave utility generation service is calculated — a concern for 3CE community choice customers.
Fairview Road median island maintenance
The developer's landscape median was accidentally left out of the subdivision's CFD, leaving maintenance to the county. Supervisors deadlocked 2-2 twice over cobblestone-only versus drought-tolerant planting and who pays, and the item returns June 30.
Sheriff's radio communications upgrade
After years of delays, the ~$2.5 million radio project has four radios in testing and a new repeater on Fremont Peak, with cellular and Starlink backups planned. Neighboring agencies, including San Jose PD, will get interoperability access.
County vehicle leasing program
A 2015 six-vehicle pilot with Enterprise quietly grew to 33 vehicles with no board approval or required cost analysis. The board wants a leasing-vs-buying study and will consider local dealers and NACo procurement.
Transfer station and landfill future
Landfill rates rise 2.83% under the operating agreement's formula, and the Board formed an ad hoc committee to untangle the region's confusing waste-management joint powers agreement, with ten years of landfill capacity left.