Hollister City Council members agreed 3-2 to immediately recruit a permanent city manager as opposed to hiring an interim.
Hollister City Manager Bill Avera in February announced he would retire in November. Avera makes $190,000 plus benefits.
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez and Councilman Rolan Resendiz dissented and wanted to hire an interim manager first in order to offer an outside review of city functions before hiring a permanent manager.
Council members Carol Lenoir, Marty Richman and Honor Spencer wanted to move ahead and conduct a request for proposals now for a permanent manager.
“I want the fresh set of eyes to be the new city manager, not the interim,” Lenoir said.
Resendiz called it a “very important decision that can possibly affect our city for years to come.”
Photo: Mayor Ignacio Velazquez pushed to hire an interim manager, but was out-voted on the matter.
