Bishop City Council. Photo by Ron Alexander
A mostly quiet and non-controversial town, the City of Bishop will give citizens what they call the “State of the City” report at their first regular meeting in October.
Individual issues have revealed that Bishop is watching its pennies. A late August meeting saw City Administrator Keith Caldwell defend Police Chief Chris Carter’s examination of a change in the route for the Christmas Parade to save police overtime dollars. Caldwell said all City departments are constantly in search of ways to deliver services that people want for less money. Officials have said that the State of the City will reveal brief Department Head reports on their accomplishments over the last four years.
The issue of this planned report came up in discussion when the City Council met in a retreat in mid-August. At that same meeting, officials discussed the 2012 Grand Jury Report which recommended improvements in the Police Department building and a potentially larger facility.
In its report, the Jury had commended the Police Department for continued good work, but they did point a finger of concern at the police facility. The Jury had recommended holding cells should be sanded and painted and that the City of Bishop should set up a capital improvement budget for ultimately relocating the Police Department to a larger facility.
The Jury called for adjustment of the current facility to provide separated interview spaces for suspects, victims and witnesses. Council members determined that it would be more feasible to modify the current building than to build or remodel another structure. Officials said that the Police Chief would keep up his research on modification cost estimates and potential architectural services.
The minutes of the Council Retreat also said that the majority of Council members want to keep their health care cost share at the current rates of zero dollars for singles and $40 for a family rate. This – based on the fact that the Council has received no recent salary increases.
Hey,with great leaders like Caldwell saving our X-mas parade, what else does our quiet little town need?
Hot debate. What do you think?
5 
5
“The minutes of the Council Retreat also said that the majority of Council members want to keep their health care cost share at the current rates of zero dollars for singles and $40 for a family rate.”
It would be interesting, in light of upcoming elections, to know which council members were in the majority. Isn’t reporting that a requirement of the Brown Act? Also, a comparison to what the rank and file City employees pay for their health insurance.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
12 
1
Inyoite. I believe the three making the majority are the same three incumbents that will be on the ballot in the November election. I believe the same three did the same thing three years ago They don’ seem to care how the rank and file feel about this.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
8 
2
How much do the rank and file pay? And do you “believe” or do you know who the “majority” is? I was hoping KSRW could follow up and report the facts. A “majority” doesn’t sound unanimous, but it could be 3 or 4 and I think it is important to know which precisely make up the “majority” – which is why the Brown Act requires that information – for accountability – but the minutes don’t say.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
7 
0
We are getting the info you want. Stay tuned.
Benett
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
6 
0
Benett, did you ever find out who “the majority” is? The candidates are starting to get out and campaign, and it would be good to know who voted how.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Okay. I do have some info. Will offer it next week.
BK
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
I would like to point out that the town of Bishop is not required to have a police department. About one third of the entire annual town budget would be saved by turning law enforcement requirements to the Sheriffs dept. The Inyo co Sheriffs dept at present covers the entire county of Inyo and all the towns in it except for the two square miles of Bishop.
I am not saying Bishop PD is not doing a good job, or they are not nice guys, I am saying we might consider saving $3,000,000 or so per year, money that could be used to pave streets,put utilities under ground,ect.
Hot debate. What do you think?
12 
7
Any body know how much of our local tax money goes to our schools?
Like or Dislike:
2 
6
Hey, what kind of bennies does “Put-Em-Away-Maillet” get???
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
That’s public information. We will see if we can provide it for you.
Benett Kessler
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
To much!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0