[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6574163,"mediaKeyId","3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0","parentId",3108191,"title","Public works outlines road project timelines; Shore Road paving to cause short-term backups","audioSeconds",455,"startMs",8535000,"endMs",8990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0&start=8535&end=8990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0/thumbnail_8535000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574163/San-Benito-County/California/Public-works-outlines-road-project-timelines-Shore-Road-paving-to-cause-short-term-backups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574163-09fc46172d7925988d6b4724e477b895/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212026&Signature=nzZT797GEjNu772Hgx-6ijEaM3lqfzZE~Frh4nnGBs-Jn226JJ7BigNG4uYAc76auJVGtMYF3Q27K0Wp662NCanhBX6e5XcWm45dGe4JAOX7HS4inJGzGleQ6GgstQyFedlzJi~NuLifOrecCoEODHXITUlNfnLvSnYbjvsNkqF5TonQy2YKIYmb9suVtoukp0IOranhbJih8LP566hvFc~xvXD3qfgjvHhY7wPzEPB-7L0wBO-xmDn5tDgB6xlBjtfPh9vZnymbhGmSWqJZPPyLZUaSvu2juXdkh-5Axd5qNj4Dvm8HXFprowVDrzhtzIM~GXH3m9gNdAOKl~YuEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-24T08:49:59.307Z","article","Public Works Administrator Steve Loop told the Board of Supervisors on April 22 that several San Benito County road projects are either complete or entering final construction phases, and he urged drivers to avoid Shore Road during peak commute windows while paving continues.

Loop said the county has committed up to $4 million to repave a series of parallel roads near Highway 156 and that Prescott Road, San Justo Road, Freitas and Bixby have been reconstructed. Duncan Road, Lucy Brown Lane and a portion of San Juan Highway near Prescott are scheduled for slurry seal; the contractor expects final slurry operations next week, with striping to follow roughly a week later. Seeley Avenue in Aromas is reported at 98% complete pending curb and asphalt-dike work.

Loop warned that Shore Road paving during commute hours has produced lengthy backups. \"Please try to avoid that,\" he said, noting the work is on schedule and will move into driveway and striping phases over the next one to two weeks. He said overnight paving—which shortens traffic impacts—was more expensive and the county did not budget the additional cost.

The Union Road bridge/realignment project near the new bridge will include a small alignment improvement on the east side to remove a reverse S curve; that work is expected to be completed as part of the June paving schedule. Public Works said it hopes to accelerate design and construction of the larger Union Road reconstruction segment from the Highway 156/San Juan Oaks signal south for about three miles, targeting summer start for major reconstruction.

Loop said the Roads and Budget ad hocs will review project priorities and funding; the ad hocs plan to meet together next week. He emphasized that any ad hoc decisions will be brought back to the full board. Supervisors asked staff to coordinate striping schedules with construction timetables to avoid repeated work if repaving will occur soon after striping.

Supervisors also raised pothole and frontage-road concerns after the Highway 156 project. Loop said some frontage segments remain Caltrans responsibility until the state formally transfers ownership; he will re-contact Caltrans about repairs and said the county can still patch potholes ahead of a formal transfer.

Loop summarized construction sequencing and budget constraints and said public outreach will continue while crews finish paving, striping and drainage work. \"If we want to build the project and complete it, we just can only have certain windows of a certain amount of traffic that's released through the intersection,\" he said, noting the contractor’s schedule and safe traffic control measures dictate the temporary backups drivers have experienced.

The presentation was informational; no board action was taken on April 22.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Benito County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","San Benito County Public Works presented a status update on multiple road projects, including near-completion work on Seeley Avenue, slurry sealing on several Highway 156 parallel roads and ongoing Shore Road paving that will create morning and evening traffic delays while crews finish work this week.","taxTitle","San Benito County, California","taxId",26838,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574167,"Board directs staff to negotiate with Medeco after inmate medical services RFP",2941,5547000,8488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0&start=5547&end=8488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0/thumbnail_5547000.jpg","/articles/6574167/San-Benito-County/California/Board-directs-staff-to-negotiate-with-Medeco-after-inmate-medical-services-RFP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574167-401df1ca778fe325af64e162db2a73b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212026&Signature=O0TyX26gDPZL-hNIVN8IzET3ms8O8Iqlb7mBfwWi0dQgPYHo4WpohiGtgI7CLHVuBk806~lcBQlq8-I8SnCuQybTEnxejy2qUp50cSP1z-BiWJCvBBLdU-ogBxiUcLQgSM0k3GV9Gg7RtVIOgVVbtqCAw5OgvfLQqiVvbdmwlXLDe349Izg9sKQshzmLr17kFfK~HhboIT5ruHpA6esxNNELmbrmzmr1-AOBZ4mdyPTWJpDqQmsunXdOuH0xfgqcw5f-FlfXRkqGvhuynYLdgIivjY8aqBx-ycdKsMOpc~Z1D14t2MAPNJbG8F1DVYia7pP409o5Pb8vyyblJN72~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Benito County supervisors on April 22 acknowledged the results of a competitive request for proposals (RFP) for inmate medical services and directed staff to begin negotiations with Medeco Correctional Healthcare, the selection committee’s top-ranked proposer.

Sheriff Taylor and staff told the board that three firms submitted proposals and that Medeco \"received a unanimous top ranking\" from a five-member evaluation committee, with an average score of 930.8 out of 1,000. The county's report described Medeco’s proposal as offering 11.75 recommended full‑time equivalent positions (with a 10.25 baseline), a comprehensive 24‑hour scope of services including discharge planning and crisis response, and CalAIM compliance.

Sheriff Taylor summarized the procurement: \"We had a total of 3 proposals come in ... Medeco received a unanimous top ranking.\" He asked the board to authorize staff to negotiate terms for a five‑year agreement and return to the board with a final contract on May 6. The board approved that direction on a 5-0 roll-call vote.

County staff said Medeco's proposed annual cost would be roughly $3.5 million under the recommended staffing plan and about $3.1 million under Medeco’s base proposal; other proposers came in at roughly $3.1 million and $3.0–$3.2 million. Sheriff staff recommended negotiating toward the recommended 11.75 FTE staffing level to ensure continuous coverage and to include a discharge planner — a role intended to pursue CalAIM and other billable revenue streams that did not previously flow to the county.

Janae Hopkins, a corrections analyst on the county team, explained the operational difference between the base and recommended staffing: the additional FTE supports night‑time medical coverage, juvenile facility coverage and a dedicated discharge planner, which staff said is central to capturing state and Medi‑Cal reimbursement under CalAIM.

Sheriff Taylor said the county has funding to cover the contract in the current and next fiscal year without general‑fund impact, noting a state award the county received that can be used to implement CalAIM-related discharge planning. He added that the county will pursue billing for eligible services going forward and that the contract is intended to reduce liability and avoid repeated piecemeal contract changes.

Dr. Olfog, Medeco’s chief physician, described the company’s experience and approach, emphasizing proactive, medically driven care and noting Medeco has operated for 28 years and submitted references across multiple facilities. \"We do not take shortcuts and we do not provide inadequate level of staffing for our correctional facilities,\" he said.

The board voted unanimously to direct staff to negotiate with Medeco and return a proposed five‑year agreement (with optional extensions) for board consideration on May 6.","After a competitive RFP, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors acknowledged Medeco Correctional Healthcare as the top-ranked proposer for inmate medical services and directed staff to begin contract negotiations and return with a final agreement for board approval on May 6.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6574172,"San Benito supervisors split 3-2 to pause feasibility study, launch county-led fire planning",3515,1639000,5154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0&start=1639&end=5154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108191-95a0cafb5e1df23b437bc8b926707fc0/thumbnail_1639000.jpg","/articles/6574172/San-Benito-County/California/San-Benito-supervisors-split-3-2-to-pause-feasibility-study-launch-county-led-fire-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574172-bf2d71b4041e715fbfb60321382fe3ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212026&Signature=C8xFqyexeBTN6wXpSXucbWlUSQ837Uo7aHaQCRgblE4zZoMpVw8KOFWtSx7yQ8dMs2dKyGogbRvtBlPrWQ9Sz1-nUVtSfaSDr6O759JfESwJ8ucYtmbBnBCXsy~iMlfihOfTCVxPK-AZ97LdtviLuSZSjALIFqAZyN4iEHTi4nDs-JIxs8vsinDObgV2tmtP53etOVlI2mzY4zyuzOXQsTQ8-tZMeGI0UAUfV~WlfdQ2RbbeRWLwZc-AQ~PYk8ZxjId8lmvH9nmyrWZIt7NpPRObOsVAPbhHkCCF7MIgC0nKrCeT8kVItGuCrZxvulXoSidyr4gvjoobG3Oxkp8RTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Benito County supervisors voted 3-2 on April 22 to pause a contracted fire feasibility study, suspend the existing interjurisdictional negotiating ad hoc and direct county staff to begin ad hoc planning to create a county-run fire department while remaining open to any new Hollister proposal.

Interim County Administrative Officer Henning told the board that \"on March 25, the county received the 270 day termination notice from the city of Hollister ending fire services with a date of December twentieth of 2025,\" and that the county must act quickly given that timeline.

The action follows months of negotiation over staffing and cost after Hollister said it would end its contract to provide fire services to unincorporated areas. County staff and the city’s negotiators had discussed minimum staffing levels; county leaders said the prior contract terms and escalating costs were fiscally unsustainable. At the meeting, San Benito supervisors and Hollister officials described a sequence of offers, counters and a period when Hollister asked the county and San Juan Bautista to \"figure it out.\" City Manager David Marione told the board Hollister \"is interested in continuing negotiations\" and said the city council supports exploring 3‑person staffing.

Supervisor Velasquez argued the county must move forward now, saying, \"We can't just go back and forth and hope for a miracle to happen and money to fly back into the windows.\" Velasquez urged planning for better coverage in remote areas and noted that more than 90% of calls are medical in nature.

Supervisor Sotelo and Supervisor Currow voted against the motion, citing concerns about long-term operational costs and the county’s budget constraints. Sotelo said she opposed creating a county fire department and did not support pausing the feasibility study, arguing the county should continue pursuing negotiated solutions with Hollister. Currow cited the county’s unfunded trajectory for fire services and emphasized the difference between one-time start-up costs and ongoing operational costs.

The board's motion—moved and seconded during the meeting—directed staff to: (1) proceed with the new county fire department ad hoc to begin planning and checklist development; (2) pause the current feasibility study until a later date; and (3) suspend the negotiation ad hoc and remain open to any written proposal Hollister submits. The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Kozmicki — yes; Zenger — yes; Velasquez — yes; Sotelo — no; Currow — no.

The board also directed staff to return with a checklist of steps needed to form a county fire department, including a hiring timeline for a fire chief and monthly updates to the full board. Supervisors suggested San Juan Bautista’s existing station could serve as an early operational hub while the county works through staffing and funding options. Several supervisors emphasized exploring volunteer and reserve staffing to limit costs.

Public commenters urged the board to keep safety a priority and to pursue 3‑person engine staffing. Members of the public criticized both sides: some said Hollister’s earlier financial reporting left the city constrained, while others urged the county not to accept unsustainable cost increases. The city had previously demanded a $1.3 million payment due May 9; that demand remained outstanding at the meeting.

What the board approved was procedural direction, not an immediate change in service delivery. Leading supervisors said the county must act quickly because of the city’s termination timeline, but they also acknowledged startup costs for a county fire department and the need to identify ongoing funding. The board voted 3-2 to adopt the staff recommendation.

Next steps identified at the meeting include: ad hoc meetings with consultants and San Juan Bautista representatives, production of a county checklist of required steps to create a fire department (hiring, equipment, station location and financing), and monthly status reports back to the full board. The paused feasibility study will remain on hold while the county pursues ad hoc planning and potential renewed negotiations.","After a months-long standoff with the City of Hollister over a new contract for fire protection, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to pause an outside feasibility study, suspend the interjurisdictional negotiating ad hoc and direct county staff to advance planning for a county-led fire department with San Juan Bautista.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public works outlines road project timelines; Shore Road paving to cause short-term backups

Board directs staff to negotiate with Medeco after inmate medical services RFP

San Benito supervisors split 3-2 to pause feasibility study, launch county-led fire planning