County of San Benito Government News

Transportation City of Hollister County of San Benito City of San Juan Bautista

County Governments Receive Transportation Grant

04/30/2024
The San Benito County Council of Governments have received an $8.2 million grant for transportation infrastructure from the California Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and Zero Emission Transit Capital Program.

From Benito Link...

Education Land Use & Development County of San Benito

Land for Second High School to be Acquired

04/18/2024
In its April 9 meeting, the San Benito High School District approved a financier and is moving forward to purchase land on Wright Road in Hollister as the site of a second high school.

From Benito Link...

Crime & Justice Government County of San Benito

San Benito Supervisors Approve Public Defender Contract

04/10/2024
In a unanimous vote the Board approved a two-year contract to hire attorney Harry Damkar for public defense services beginning May 1 as they study the feasibility of establishing a public defender’s office.

From Benito Link...

Business, Economy & Jobs Crime & Justice Government County of San Benito

BL Special Report: Bankruptcy Protection Denied Hospital Over $15 Million Discrepancy

04/09/2024
San Benito Health Care District intends to appeal.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

March 5 Primary Election Results Certified

04/01/2024
The 2024 March 5 election results were certified by the San Benito County Elections on March 29.

From Benito Link...

Business, Economy & Jobs Land Use & Development County of San Benito

New Slow-Growth Initiative Being Prepared

03/29/2024
Local activist Andy Hsia-Coron announced he is preparing to start the signature gathering phase for a new slow-growth initiative titled "Empower Voters to Make Land Use Decisions Initiative."

From Benito Link...

Health Crime & Justice County of San Benito

Health and Human Services Agency Inspection Reports Deficiencies in San Benito Jail System

03/26/2024
The San Benito Health and Human Services Agency annual inspection turned up deficiencies in health training and services provided by the San Benito County jail system with most in the juvenile facility.

From Benito Link...

Art, Culture & Media Education County of San Benito

County Seeks New Librarian

03/25/2024
In the midst of a library expansion and an FBI investigation, San Benito County is considering the hiring of a new head librarian.

From Benito Link...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Land Use & Development County of San Benito

Project Developer Sues San Benito County

03/23/2024
The developer of the Lands of Lee project to develop housing on Fairview Road has sued San Benito County for denial a permit to proceed, citing process violations of various laws.

From Benito Link...

Environment Land Use & Development County of San Benito

Appeal of Rejected Environmental Report Withdrawn

03/22/2024
Citing no reason, local landfill operator Waste Solutions withdrew its appeal of the San Benito County Planning Commission’s denial of certification of the Environmental Impact Report for a project to expand the landfill.

From Benito Link...

Crime & Justice County of San Benito

New Public Defender Chosen by San Benito Supervisors

03/13/2024
Beginning May 1, Harry Damkar will provide indigent defense services for the county, replacing the Fitzgerald, Alvarez & Ciummo law firm.

From Benito Link...

Environment Land Use & Development County of San Benito

EIR Decision Appealed

03/12/2024
The operator of the John Smith Road Landfill appealed the San Benito County Planning Commission’s decision against certifying the environmental impact report required for expansion of the facility.

From Benito Link...

Crime & Justice Government County of San Benito

State Report Cites 'Inadequate' Public Defender Services in San Benito County

02/29/2024
County’s public defense system lack of structured leadership, transparency, accountability and funds, and frequent attorney turnover, high caseloads and low litigation noted.

From Benito Link...

Transportation County of San Benito

County Gets Going on Public Transit Improvements

02/20/2024
Transportation Planner Douglas Kean says less than 1% of county residents use San Benito County’s public transit system and that transit operations need to be fundamentally restructured.

From Benito Link...

History County of San Benito

The Twists, Turns and Shifts in Power That Created San Benito County

02/12/2024
San Benito County was founded Feb. 12, 1874, ending its 24 years as part of Monterey County. It was an inevitable chapter in a story that began in 1797. And that story is about land.

From Benito Link...

Land Use & Development County of San Benito

San Benito Supervisors Ax New Community Study Areas From General Plan

02/09/2024
In a 4-1 vote, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors agreed to remove four “New Community Study Areas” from the county’s General Plan. Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki introduced the motion and Supervisor Bea Gonzales voted “no.”

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

Candidates Address Local Issues in BenitoLink’s Election Forum

02/09/2024
Board of Supervisors hopefuls speak about repairing roads, providing affordable housing and the landfill expansion project.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito Ignacio Velazquez Bea Gonzales-Ramirez

2024 Primary Election: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 5

02/07/2024
Incumbent Bea Gonzales and challenger Ignacio Velazquez are running in the District 5 seat, which covers north county between Hwy 25 and Hwy 156, the Hollister Municipal Airport and downtown Hollister.

From Benito Link...

Health County of San Benito

County Offers Updated Option for the Future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital

02/07/2024
A proposal was delivered to the San Benito Healthcare District, which included an updated Letter of Intent, a draft Joint Powers of Authority agreement, and other paths for achieving financial viability.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

2024 Primary Election Voter Guide

02/05/2024
California’s primary is March 5, and candidates running for county seats can win if they get more than 50% of the votes. If no candidate wins outright, the top two move on to the Nov. 5 general election.

From Benito Link...

Homelessness Community Service & Support County of San Benito

Homeless ‘Point-in-Time’ Count Canvasses Hollister

02/01/2024
Before the sun came up, county staff, law enforcement and volunteers gathered to perform the 2024 Point-in-Time count, which counts homeless people in the county every two years.

From Benito Link...

Land Use & Development Sustainability County of San Benito

Planning Commission Rejects Landfill Environmental Report

02/01/2024
San Benito County planners voted 4-1 against the John Smith Landfill expansion project’s EIR, conditional use permit and General Plan amendment.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito Dom Zanger

2024 Primary Elections: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 1

01/26/2024
Three candidates are running for the seat: incumbent Dom Zanger and challengers Dustin Weber and Stacie A. McGrady. District 1 is the northeast part of the county.

From Benito Link...

Land Use & Development Agriculture, Food & Gardening Housing County of San Benito

SBC Supervisors Weigh General Plan Changes

01/17/2024
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors proposed changes to the county’s 2035 General Plan’s agriculture policy, as well as its land use element, housing element and circulation element.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

2024 Primary Election: San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 2

01/13/2024
Two candidates are running for the District 2 seat: San Juan Bautista Councilmember John Freeman and incumbent Kollin Kosmicki.

From Benito Link...

Business, Economy & Jobs County of San Benito

County Sales Tax Has Generated Over $40 Million So Far

01/03/2024
Measure G has brought in more money than originally projected, generating $43.3 million as of March 2023. It was expected to generate about $33 million by that time.

From Benito Link...

Land Use & Development Transportation Sustainability County of San Benito City of San Juan Bautista

Major Projects in 2024

01/02/2024
BenitoLink looks ahead to construction projects in the county that are expected to begin or be completed in 2024.

From Benito Link...

Health County of San Benito

Health Disparities Seen for Latinos, Youth in San Benito County

01/01/2024
A presentation to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on morbidity and mortality rates noted that cardiovascular-related deaths are declining, but injury deaths have risen.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito Ignacio Velazquez

Registrar Says ex-Hollister Mayor Eligible to Run for Supervisor Seat

12/21/2023
A group of county residents challenged former Hollister mayor Ignacio Velazquez’s candidacy for the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, but Registrar of Voters Francisco Diaz affirms his eligibility to run.

From Benito Link...

Elections & Politics County of San Benito

Elections Office Launches Platform for Reporting Violations

12/19/2023
Complaints can be submitted in writing via email or traditional mail to the Elections Department; all will be personally overseen by the County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters.

County of San Benito Government News

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