Hollister Council Withdraws Layoff Notices for at Least 37 Workers Amid Budget Talks

HOLLISTER — November 7, 2026. Hollister City Council has withdrawn layoff notices previously issued to at least 37 municipal employees, allowing them to return to work while the city continues trying to reduce spending.

What happened in October?

According to BenitoLink, the notices had been issued less than two weeks before the City Council’s October 26 special closed-session meeting. Affected employees were told their employment could end on November 13 and had been placed on paid leave. The council voted unanimously to withdraw the notices.

Not the end of the budget problem

Mayor Roxanne Stephens warned that the city might issue new notices if discussions with labor unions do not deliver enough savings. The reversal should therefore not be described as a permanent financial solution or a guarantee that no employee could be laid off later.

Why residents should care

City staffing affects street maintenance, public facilities and other daily municipal functions. The outcome of labor negotiations may influence both employee livelihoods and the services the city can provide. Residents should monitor upcoming City Council budget reports and published union agreements. This article recounts an October decision that remains relevant during November; it is not a claim that a new council vote occurred today.

Source: BenitoLink, October–November 2026.

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