This community opinion was contributed by Mia Casey. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Watching fire contract talks drag on has been extremely frustrating. Across California we’ve seen the devastation from firestorms. We watched as fires tore through Los Angeles, reminding us how real the threat is. So why is it taking so long to negotiate a new fire protection deal?
This is politics—plain and simple. It’s about power and control.
Board of Supervisors Chair, Kollin Kosmicki has revealed his true nature: refusing to collaborate, routinely dismissing information from the Fire Chief, locking out negotiators in favor of backroom deals, attacking Hollister and firefighters, while pushing a one-sided narrative focused on costs.
He claimed the 270-day termination notice was extortion, appearing on the news claiming fiscal mismanagement by Hollister. This is political posturing, not leadership. Worse, this news story frightened residents into believing they’d already lost fire protection, which was untrue.
What is a 270-Day Termination Notice?
This is a safety clause in the contract. That nine-month timeframe protects our community—fire services shouldn’t be disrupted and this allows ample time for renegotiation or to find another solution.
Is the Fire Budget out of Control?
Kosmicki pointed at a 300% increase in fire costs over 12 years. This reflects inflation and increased demand. If you look at other County departments during that same timeframe, you’ll find they all had astronomical rises. County Probation budget rose by 268%, District Attorney’s office 297%, Jail 247%, and the Sheriff’s Dept. 260%. Kosmicki’s finger pointing is deflection to avoid the real issue–the County is underpaying for fire protection.
The 2019 contract capped annual increases at 3%, forcing Hollister to absorb rising costs—even as calls to County areas have grown with the population increase due to new housing like Santana Ranch. The County uses 40% of fire services but pays only 16% of costs.
Other comparable County public safety budgets have risen to $10 million a year, yet County fire cost sits around $2.2 million. Meanwhile, the true cost for County service is much higher–closer to $7 million.
What about Staffing and Firefighter Overtime?
Kosmicki deflects again, this time pointing at overtime. Firefighter overtime is a challenge everywhere—this isn’t a desk job–lives depend on proper staffing. Most fire departments have Minimum Staffing Levels to ensure enough firefighters are on duty. However, Hollister Fire is understaffed and when someone is out or injured, overtime is necessary to maintain safety; overtime is not optional for firefighters, it is mandatory.
Kosmicki misled the public by pointing to inflated compensation figures from Transparent California, which include benefits and pensions—not just salary or overtime. He also ignored that overtime also is due to deployment to aid other counties, which is reimbursed. His skewed claims disrespect those who risk their lives to protect us.
What is appropriate Fire Staffing?
Chief Goulding states the national average is 1.5–1.8 firefighters per 1,000 residents. Los Angeles is considered seriously understaffed at 0.9. And San Benito County staffing is 0.6!
Kosmicki insists staffing should be limited to two firefighters per truck—because it’s cheaper. But Cal OSHA and national safety standards call for four. Hollister has managed to raise staffing to three per truck, improving safety and emergency response. Any cuts to staffing are dangerous.
Didn’t the Termination Notice Expire?
Hollister issued the notice last June, but the County refused to negotiate for over six months, instead spending $100,000 for a fire consultant and backing out of agreed weekly negotiations. One meeting involved the fire consultant demanding Hollister withdraw the termination notice and walking out.
Kosmicki claimed he’d work with the new City Council in January—but this new Council quickly caved, dropping the termination clause and removing a resolution that protected firefighter jobs. Closed-door Ad Hoc meetings followed, led by Kosmicki, Supervisor Velazquez, and allies Councilmember Resendiz and Mayor Stephens—shutting out the Fire Chief, City Managers, and the CAO, who typically handle negotiations. Why would the Hollister Council agree to this?
An Ad Hoc committee is advisory only. However, instead of reporting back to their governing body, they handed the Hollister City Manager a set of terms, had him prepare contract amendments, then these four officials attempted to jam approvals through in one week with multiple Special Meetings, and little notice to the public. This wasn’t open or transparent. They tried to pull a fast one. This kind of illicit politics is disheartening; I thought the days of backroom deals and good ol’ boys were gone.
One look at this contract explains why they didn’t want public scrutiny.
It does not fix the $4 million gap. The County offered $1.1 million, insisted on two firefighters per truck, and brownouts of Station 3–periodic shutdowns that would put lives at risk. Worse, it locks Hollister in for three years at that same low 3% increase and removes the termination clause, tying the city’s hands.
This was a bad deal–reducing services and ignoring safety–basically selling Hollister down the river. It’s deeply disappointing that Councilmember Resendiz and Mayor Stephens agreed to this behind closed doors—and attempted to push it through to the detriment of the City.
San Juan Bautista and the Public Intervene
Firefighters’ families and concerned residents packed the Special Meetings, but were ignored. On Monday, four Hollister Councilmembers backed the flawed deal (only Councilmember Morales opposed). On Tuesday, three supervisors did the same, with Sotelo and Curro dissenting. But San Juan Bautista’s City Council rejected the deal outright. Excluded from negotiations and faced with changes to their contract made without input, they demanded talks reopen—including them, and with the Fire Chief at the table.
This rejection forced a pause. Despite Chair Kosmicki pushing approval Thursday at another Special Meeting, continued public pressure won out. The Board agreed to remove brownouts from Station 3 and sent a revised contract to Hollister.
By Friday night, pressure had built against the Hollister Council. Amid major backlash, talk of recalls, and facing another packed room, the Council did an about-face. They decided to reopen negotiations and requested more funding: $1.1 million now, $3.9 million next year, plus 8% annual increases. They also reinstated the termination clause.
Supervisors Kosmicki, Velazquez and Zanger were angry over this development and attempted to cut off further negotiation. They claimed they would explore CalFire or create their own department—something their consultant has told them was much more expensive. How can they claim they cannot pay the contract, then explore more expensive options?
Kosmicki is now using scare tactics, warning of layoffs and library closures if the County pays its fair share. Meanwhile, Supervisors Curro and Sotelo have pushed for transparency and prioritizing Public Safety in the upcoming May budget review. The Board still claims there’s no money—despite millions that have been approved for the Riverbed Cleanup, hospital JPA, and $6 million for repaving a low-traffic road–all funds which could be reallocated.
When politics outweigh protection, we all lose. It’s time to put public safety first, where it belongs.
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