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

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.