San Benito supervisors set five top priorities for 2025, approve amid split vote
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Summary
The board approved a focused list of up to five priorities for 2025 — housing policy reform, road improvements, homeless‑encampment/trash cleanup, tourism and state mandates — and noted ongoing items including the Hollister fire negotiations and hospital discussions; the motion passed 3–2.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on Jan. 28 to adopt a focused list of priorities for 2025, aiming to concentrate staff and board attention on a limited set of initiatives.
Chair Colin Kosmicki and two colleagues proposed a list of up to five priorities the board should pursue this year: housing policy reform, road improvements, homeless‑encampment trash cleanup, tourism and state mandates (with a possible charter‑county review discussed). Supervisor Ignacio Velasquez, who joined the motion, said focusing on fewer items improves the likelihood of delivering measurable results.
Opponents, including Supervisor Rosanna Sotelo and Supervisor Curl, said they wanted to ensure the list would not displace earlier strategic‑plan work or other county responsibilities such as hiring a permanent county administrator and addressing the hospital’s future. After public commenters urged attention to meeting times and community involvement, the board clarified that some urgent matters — notably the Hollister fire contract and hospital negotiations — would continue to receive staff attention outside the priority list.
The roll call recorded Yes votes from Colin Kosmicki, Supervisor Zanger and Supervisor Velasquez; No votes from Supervisors Sotelo and Curl. The motion carried 3–2.
Ending: The board asked staff to place at least one priority item on future agendas to show progress and agreed to revisit and refine the priorities if needed.
