Hollister Trims Staff Amid Budget Deficit

Hollister is facing a large budget shortfall. For the upcoming fiscal year the city expects about $50.2 million in revenue, while its planned expenses total $57.1 million. The difference of nearly $7 million forces officials to find ways to cut spending. Since employee salaries represent a major portion of the budget, reducing the workforce is considered necessary.

The police department will lose several positions. The officers' union claims that every civilian employee was dismissed, which would stop record keeping, evidence handling, and phone service. The city calls that claim inaccurate, but it admits that some support roles will be eliminated. Senior administrators and animal control staff are not affected, and one administrative supervisor will remain. However, many essential duties such as processing reports, maintaining the fleet, and managing evidence will go undone.

Despite the layoffs, the city intends to hire seven new officers. The county sheriff voiced concern that removing civilian staff will slow investigations and emergency response. Officials say that services like report release and vehicle impound will be limited until further notice. They are working to balance the budget while trying to preserve core public safety functions.

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