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1 week ago

San Benito supervisors approve $3.6M CDBG application package, require RFP to return to board The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 5‑0 on March 31 to authorize submission of three CDBG applications totaling up to $3.6 million — including youth enrichment, senior and homeless meal services, and a $3 million library renovation — and added a requirement that any procurement (RFP) return to the board for review before contracts are awarded.

San Benito County is set to make a big impact with a $3.6 million grant proposal aimed at boosting youth programs, providing meals for seniors, and renovating the local library!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #YouthEnrichment #SeniorServices #LibraryRenovation

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2 months ago

San Benito County tourism panel votes to seek Board workshop on countywide wayfinding signs The Tourism Advisory Committee voted unanimously to ask the Board of Supervisors to schedule a workshop exploring phased wayfinding and a possible Pinnacles monument, including funding, stakeholder involvement, and design options.

San Benito County is taking a bold step to enhance its tourism appeal with a new wayfinding strategy aimed at drawing visitors to the stunning Pinnacles National Park and beyond!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #TourismDevelopment #CommunityInvolvement #WayfindingStrategy #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

San Benito supervisors commit $150,000 from reserves to continue San Juanita River cleanup After staff detailed a phased cleanup and outreach effort, the Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 to allocate $150,000 from county reserves to continue work on the San Juanita River; CalRecycle grant funds of ~$43,000 are expected to offset part of the cost.

San Benito County is stepping up its efforts to clean the San Juanita River, committing $150,000 to remove trash and encampments while securing additional grant funds to enhance the initiative.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #SanBenitoCounty #CommunityOutreach #WasteManagement

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2 months ago

CDFW tells San Benito commissioners: no chronic wasting disease detected; expanded surveillance, mountain‑lion and bobcat work planned California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff briefed the San Benito County Fish and Game Advisory Commission on expanded deer and elk monitoring, near‑term mountain lion capture efforts, a planned bobcat study and increased disease surveillance; staff reported no detected chronic wasting disease in the district to date.

Great news for San Benito County! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reports no chronic wasting disease detected and exciting wildlife monitoring efforts are on the way.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CommunityEngagement #WildlifeConservation #DiseaseSurveillance

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2 months ago

County auditor warns late ACFR, missing federal schedule and staffing gaps; supervisors urge training and hires County auditor Joe Paul Gonzales told the audit committee the FY24/25 ACFR is delayed because material department submissions missed the Sept. 5 close, RMA has not provided a complete Schedule of Federal Awards (CIFA), and two senior auditor positions left the office; supervisors urged hiring or contracting and targeted training for departmental fiscal staff.

San Benito County's financial report is in jeopardy as staffing gaps and late submissions threaten to delay crucial audits—are the supervisors ready to take action?

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #AuditStandards #CitizenPortal #TrainingDevelopment

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2 months ago

San Benito County wins federal road and mitigation grants; board readies project list for Jan. 27 County staff outlined a proposed project list for roughly $11.4 million in HCD CDBG-DR/MIT funds and a separate $7.6 million USDOT Safe Streets award, identifying Lovers Lane, Shore Road, Salinas Road, Pacheco Creek cleanup and King City–Bitterwater Road as priorities; the board will review a resolution and project list on Jan. 27.

San Benito County is set to unlock over $18 million in federal grants to revamp roads and enhance flood safety, but swift action is crucial to secure these funds!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #SanBenitoCountyRoads #InfrastructureRepair #DisasterMitigation #CommunitySafety

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2 months ago

San Benito supervisors table CFD annexation for new subdivision amid concerns over fee calculations After extended questioning about fee methodology and reliance on a 2018 fiscal-impact baseline, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to table a request to annex a new subdivision into a Community Facilities District (CFD); staff had presented an assessment of $1,785.70 annually per unit.

San Benito supervisors have put the brakes on a controversial annexation request after serious doubts about fee calculations and the accuracy of post-pandemic cost assessments.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #SanBenitoCounty #PostPandemicRecovery #CommunityInfrastructure #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Tourism committee asks staff to develop public‑art funding ordinance with planning and counsel The committee directed staff to work with the planning department, county counsel and the Arts Council to draft an ordinance establishing a dedicated public art funding mechanism — likely a percent‑for‑art or impact fee with an approximate $150,000 threshold and exemptions for minor residential work.

San Benito County is taking a bold step towards enriching its artistic landscape by exploring a new funding mechanism for public art that could transform local creativity and opportunities for artists.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CommunityFunding #PublicArt #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

San Benito supervisors tell LAFCO to drop idea of a county‑run regional wastewater plant from MSR After a LAFCO presentation of governance options for regional wastewater, the Board voted 3‑2 to ask LAFCO to remove options that would create a regional plant or county buy‑in of Hollister's plant, citing sprawl risks; other supervisors urged collaboration to address failing septic systems.

San Benito County supervisors have just voted to oppose a county-run regional wastewater plant, igniting a fierce debate over infrastructure and sprawl risks!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #WastewaterManagement #SanBenitoCounty #PublicInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #CommunityCollaboration

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3 months ago

San Benito County tourism committee backs 'Home of Pinnacles' branding push The Tourism Committee recommended a proclamation declaring San Benito County the “Home of Pinnacles,” adding the slogan to county communications and logo, and directing staff to provide draft materials to the Board of Supervisors and partner cities for consideration.

San Benito County is taking steps to declare itself the “Home of Pinnacles,” with plans for a proclamation and updated logo to attract more visitors and celebrate its natural wonders.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #TourismDevelopment #CitizenPortal #CommunityBranding

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3 months ago

San Benito County board advances rezones to meet state housing‑element deadline, stresses no immediate development approvals The Board of Supervisors introduced a zoning ordinance to create a new "Residential High" zone and rezone 12 parcels as a first reading Dec. 16, a step staff says is required for state certification and to stop builders remedy actions; the motion passed unanimously and the ordinance will return Jan.13 for final adoption.

San Benito County supervisors have taken a crucial step towards addressing housing needs by introducing a new zoning ordinance that could unlock state funding and regain local control over development.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CommunityOutreach #SanBenitoCountyHousing

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4 months ago

San Benito supervisors send revised campaign finance ordinance back to staff after heated debate The Board of Supervisors declined to adopt a proposed campaign contribution ordinance as presented and directed staff to return with a revised draft raising the proposed per‑contributor limit to $2,500 and removing a self‑funding exemption; the discussion centered on disclosure thresholds, enforcement and independent expenditures.

San Benito County supervisors sparked a heated debate over campaign finance reform, ultimately opting to revise contribution limits instead of adopting the original draft.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal #ElectionIntegrity #TransparencyReform

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4 months ago

Supervisors advance housing‑element rezoning with added outreach, certified‑mail requirement After public outcry about notifications and neighborhood impacts, the board approved a resolution forwarding housing‑element rezoning and certification steps, adding a friendly amendment to require expanded outreach and certified‑mail notification to affected property owners.

San Benito County supervisors are pushing forward with housing element updates, but only after addressing concerns over inadequate notification to property owners—will this new outreach strategy make a difference?

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #HousingReform #CitizenPortal

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4 months ago

San Benito County continues review of Pineapple Valley solar project after fire‑safety, habitat and notice concerns The county continued consideration of the Pineapple Valley/Pinosad solar development agreement to the February meeting cycle after commissioners raised unresolved questions about on‑site fires, vegetation management, wildlife protections and missing packet materials and requested further coordination with fire and wildlife agencies.

San Benito County is hitting pause on a major solar project due to pressing concerns over fire safety and wildlife protection—will they find solutions by February?

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #FireSafety #EnvironmentalMitigation #WildlifeProtection

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4 months ago

Board authorizes administrative subpoena to Meta Platforms after officials report threats San Benito County supervisors voted unanimously to authorize an administrative subpoena to Meta Platforms to identify accounts linked to social media posts the board described as threats against supervisors and their families and set a Dec. 2 hearing; the move drew public criticism about statutory authority.

San Benito County supervisors have taken a bold step to tackle threats against them by authorizing a subpoena for Meta to unveil the identities behind menacing social media posts.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #SocialMediaEthics

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4 months ago

Staff previews Sunnyslope annexation of Best Road Mutual Water Company; resident urges merger after years of failing wells LAFCO staff briefed the commission on Sunnyslope County Water District’s proposed annexation of the Best Road Mutual Water Company ahead of a Dec. 11 public hearing. Staff said the project (247 acres, 48 parcels, ~133 residents) received a $3.4 million DWR grant; resident testimony described arsenic and repeated boil-water orders.

Sunnyslope County Water District is stepping in to resolve years of water quality issues for 133 residents facing arsenic and failing wells—find out how a $3.4 million grant could change their future!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunityAnneexation #PublicHealth

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5 months ago

San Benito supervisors back Sunnyslope tax‑sharing agreement to speed water consolidations The board approved a resolution consenting to a 0% property‑tax exchange so LAFCO can consider annexations that would consolidate failing local water systems into the Sunnyslope County Water District, unlocking state drought‑resiliency grants the county says are needed to fix arsenic and failing wells.

San Benito County's supervisors just approved a crucial 0% property-tax exchange that could transform failing local water systems and secure $16 million in drought-resiliency funding!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #DroughtResiliency #WaterConsolidation #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth

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5 months ago

San Benito supervisors approve $150,000 emergency allocation as CalFresh benefits stall Facing a partial and uncertain CalFresh benefit release, the board approved a $150,000 HHSA budget augmentation, authorized a $100,000 immediate payment to the local food bank and gave the CAO discretion to spend up to an additional $50,000 from HHSA reserves to support specialized food distributions.

San Benito County is stepping up with a $150,000 emergency fund to support residents facing food insecurity as CalFresh benefits are delayed!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FoodSecurity #SanBenitoCounty #EmergencyAssistance

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5 months ago

Sunny Slope says DWR grants are advancing South County water consolidation; asks board to resume 0% tax transfer discussion Sunny Slope Water general manager Drew Lander told supervisors a Department of Water Resources design and grant effort is underway to consolidate several South County water systems, and urged rapid board approval of a 0% tax transfer agreement so annexation applications can proceed to LAFCO before grant funds are at risk.

Drew Lander is urging swift action from San Benito County to secure $16 million in vital water grants before it's too late!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #WaterConsolidation #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding #DroughtResilience

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5 months ago

San Benito County staff to audit Verizon lease and seek lighting bids after Veterans Park users raise safety, maintenance and revenue concerns League organizers, veterans and volunteers pressed San Benito County staff on whether Verizon Wireless tower rent has been routed to Veterans Park accounts and urged immediate repairs and lighting to improve safety. Staff said they will retrieve contracts and accounting records, pursue retroactive allocation if appropriate, and solicit contractor报价

San Benito County officials are stepping up to address alarming safety and maintenance issues at Veterans Park after community members raised serious concerns about funding and repairs.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CommunityMaintenance #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #YouthSports

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5 months ago

San Benito County declares emergency over CalFresh/SNAP disruption, allocates $100,000 to food bank The Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 ratified a local emergency after a federal disruption in CalFresh/SNAP benefits affected about 7,742 county recipients, and authorized a short‑term $100,000 allocation to the Community Food Bank while staff pursue state reimbursement and a longer plan.

San Benito County has declared a local emergency after a federal disruption of CalFresh benefits left over 7,000 residents, including more than 3,000 children, scrambling for food assistance.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FoodSecurity #SanBenitoCounty

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5 months ago

Board directs county counsel to draft CAO→CEO code changes, seeks minimum bachelor’s requirement; organizational chart revisions ordered After a staff report on Chapter 3.01 of the county code, the board voted 5–0 to direct county counsel to prepare an amendment transitioning the county administrative officer role toward a county executive officer and to add a minimum bachelor’s degree in public/business administration (master’s preferred). The board also approved returning a red‑d

San Benito County is taking a bold step towards modern governance by transitioning the county administrative officer role to a CEO model, enhancing accountability and educational standards for leadership.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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5 months ago

Fire Safe Council seeks county help to expand chipper program and create more Firewise communities The San Benito Fire Safe Council briefed supervisors on its restart of a chipper program in Aromas, its $170,000 grant activity, and outreach to form more Firewise communities. The council asked the county for assistance with publicity, recruitment and coordination with CSAs and HOAs.

The San Benito Fire Safe Council is rallying for county support to boost wildfire resilience, aiming to expand its successful chipper program and grow Firewise communities to protect homes and lower insurance costs.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #GrantSupport

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5 months ago

Sheriff warns of retirements, urges public to prioritize policing in county budget San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor told supervisors on Oct. 28 that recent retirements and resignations could trigger a "domino effect" in staffing. He urged residents to tell supervisors whether public safety should be a budget priority and described current staffing pressures.

Sheriff Eric Taylor warns that a wave of recent retirements in San Benito County's sheriff's office could lead to a critical staffing crisis, jeopardizing public safety across 1,400 square miles.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SanBenitoCounty

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5 months ago

County moves to phase Riverview Regional Park permits after CDFW reduces salamander mitigation estimate San Benito County staff reported that California Department of Fish and Wildlife reduced the estimated off‑site mitigation for California tiger salamander habitat from about $2.2 million to roughly $655,000 and offered a phased permitting approach. Staff will pursue a phased permit (phase A about $300,000) so parking and primary amenities can be b|

San Benito County is set to save over $1.5 million on California tiger salamander mitigation, paving the way for swift construction at Riverview Regional Park!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #SanBenitoCountyParks #WildlifeConservation #CommunityDevelopment

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5 months ago

San Benito food bank warns of spike in need as CalFresh benefits face federal disruption The county’s Community Food Bank and Health & Human Services Agency told the Board of Supervisors that a federal shutdown will interrupt SNAP/CalFresh benefits and create immediate local need. County staff said they are coordinating with the state and will return to the board with options for emergency support.

San Benito County faces a looming hunger crisis as over 40 million Americans, including 7,742 locals, may lose vital SNAP and CalFresh benefits this November.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FoodSecurity #SanBenitoCounty #EmergencyAssistance

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5 months ago

Trustees discuss CDBG mitigation funds, hydraulic studies and Army Corps options including PL 84-99 County staff described available CDBG disaster-recovery and mitigation funds and recommended next steps. Trustees also reviewed Army Corps letters of interest for technical assistance and levee review, and debated whether to pursue PL 84-99 registration now or after initial steps.

San Benito County is gearing up to allocate nearly $11.5 million for critical disaster recovery projects, including infrastructure upgrades and emergency response strategies!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #DisasterRecovery #FloodMitigation #SanBenitoCountyPublicWorks

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5 months ago

San Benito supervisors ask state controller to audit auditor's office after $696,602 fraudulent ACH payment San Benito County supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 21 to request the California State Controller investigate internal controls after a fraudulent $696,602 ACH payment was made Oct. 15. County officials discussed options including a county-funded forensic review, strengthened vendor-change controls and pursuing criminal recovery with banks and the

San Benito County's Board of Supervisors is launching an urgent investigation after a staggering $696,602 was fraudulently siphoned from the auditor-controller’s office!

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #GovernmentAccountability #FraudPrevention #FinancialTransparency

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5 months ago

San Benito supervisors deny Sunnyslope water district tax-sharing agreement, direct staff to seek alternatives for existing homes The board voted 3-2 to deny a proposed property-tax exchange tied to annexation for Sunnyslope County Water District infrastructure; supervisors split between concerns that the agreement would enable new development and arguments that it would improve water/wastewater for existing residents.

San Benito County Supervisors made a controversial 3-2 vote to deny a crucial property-tax exchange, raising tensions between the need for improved water infrastructure and fears of unchecked development.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #RuralDevelopment

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5 months ago

Latino Coalition wins Cal OES Listos grant to expand bilingual disaster preparedness outreach in San Benito County At the Oct. 14 San Benito County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Latino Coalition described a new grant from the California Office of Emergency Services to deliver Listos (ready) bilingual, culturally tailored disaster-preparedness outreach to County neighborhoods; county Office of Emergency Services staff said they will coordinate and support.

A new grant is empowering the Latino Coalition to provide essential bilingual disaster-preparedness outreach, ensuring that even the most vulnerable communities in San Benito County are ready for emergencies.

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#SanBenitoCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport