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Supervisors add CEO sign‑off to county travel approvals amid budget tightening
Summary
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to require CEO review of most county travel requests, citing past high travel spending and the need to conserve reserves. Opponents said the extra layer would micromanage department heads and burden an already stretched CEO office.
After public comment and a lengthy exchange among supervisors and county staff, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted to revise the county travel policy by requiring the CEO (or a designated representative) to review and sign off on travel requests in addition to department-head approval.
Supporters framed the change as a necessary step to reassert fiscal discipline after recent budget shortfalls. “The travel budget was out of control,” Supervisor Velasquez said during debate, noting examples of expensive hotel reservations and multiple staff attending the same conference. She and other supporters argued additional oversight will reduce avoidable spending and protect general‑fund reserves.
Opponents — including Supervisor Satello and Supervisor Crow — said the rule risks micromanaging department operations and putting excessive administrative burden on the CEO’s office. Department heads and staff already manage budget lines, they argued, and a CEO-level review could slow critical training and program attendance.
County staff and the CEO said the change responds to board direction and past abuses; the CEO said the office has already denied some requests, sought lower-cost lodging and limited multiple attendees for the same conference. The board adopted the change by roll call: Supervisor Zanger, Supervisor Velasquez and Supervisor Cosmiki voted yes; Supervisor Satello and Supervisor Curo voted no (3–2).
What the change means: department travel requests will still be initiated through normal departmental budgeting processes, but the CEO (or their designee) will need to confirm that requests meet tightened standards intended to limit non-essential travel, reduce hotel expenses, and prioritize mandated or otherwise critical trips.
Next steps: staff said they will return any needed implementing procedures to define the CEO review role, how the CEO’s designee will be authorized, and how the change will be integrated into the county’s travel and procurement workflows.
