San Benito County continues budget hearing as officials weigh layoffs, reserve shifts and library funding

San Benito County supervisors continued a special budget hearing on county finances, reserve allocations and potential personnel reductions, with staff presenting numbers for library project funding, longevity and step-pay costs and members of the public urging alternatives to layoffs.

County staff told the board the county would account for about $7,670,000 in identified project funds, with roughly $7,000,000 designated for library improvements and an additional $100,000 for a separate library-related item, and described reclassifications of some previously shown general-fund amounts into restricted accounts. Human resources staff presented estimates on longevity and step increases affecting county payroll, and multiple commenters — including union leaders and private-sector representatives — urged the board to avoid cuts that would remove experienced employees.

The hearing matters because supervisors are considering actions that would reduce payroll or change benefit and step structures while also using one-time reserves and grant-match funds to cover capital projects. Those decisions, speakers said, could have lasting effects on…