The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 16 told the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) it opposes including a county‑involvement regional wastewater plant option in the municipal service review (MSR) under consideration. LAFCO executive officer Jennifer Stevenson presented the draft final MSR, which summarized options ranging from a consolidated regional sanitation district to joint powers authorities (JPAs), proxy service models and agency‑specific fixes.

Stevenson said the MSR surfaced several themes: inconsistent use of terms such as Hollister "urban area" and "urban service area," coordination gaps for out‑of‑agency wastewater connections, inactive county service areas (CSA 22 and CSA 45) and the need for preplanning and possible CEQA review for structural options. The document also identified potential governance concepts including formation of a regional sanitation district and JPAs.

Opponents of the regionalization language said the most likely effect would be to widen the availability of wastewater infrastructure and thereby spur sprawl. "This is a horrible idea, and it is about housing growth," Supervisor Kozmicki said, arguing the city of Hollister and its ratepayers had already borne the large costs of a plant and that expansion would shift long‑term costs to residents.

Supporters of exploring options countered that unincorporated communities already face failing septic systems. "I do not agree that, just because we are going to look at the options of wastewater, we should say no," Supervisor Curl said, noting the county needs a strategy for areas with known failures and for maintaining service affordability.

After extended debate, the board instructed staff to draft a short letter opposing the inclusion of a county‑run regional wastewater plant or county purchase of treatment capacity as viable options in LAFCO’s MSR. The motion passed 3‑2. A LAFCO ad‑hoc review and further stakeholder briefings are expected before LAFCO considers the MSR in January.

What to watch: The MSR is advisory and intended to frame options. LAFCO officials and local agencies will continue stakeholder meetings; supervisors asked that LAFCO incorporate formal comments from the county and the city of Hollister when it revises the MSR.