City of Soledad Government News Digest

The new roundabout at the intersection of East Street and Metz Road in Soledad was greeted with a ribbon cutting on July 6, marking the first such roundabout in South Monterey County.

Soledad currently uses an at-large voting system in which local voters can support any city council candidate. At its June 16 meeting, the Soledad City Council discussed the prospect of switching to district-based elections.

City salaries will account for half of the funds, which City Manager Brent Slama said was in line with where the city should be. For the remainder of the money, 41 percent will go to services and supplies, 7 percent for capital projects and 2 percent for other charges.

Part-time titles created in the decision were: Recreation Leader, Recreation Leader II and Recreation Program Supervisor. The most likely people hired to staff the programs would be high school and college students, City Manager Brent Slama said.

The city closed off the busy intersection of Metz Road and East Street beginning April 5, with work expected to extend over two months.

Bo, a black Labrador retriever, hits the streets of Soledad on Friday to sniff out narcotics.