Los Banos Rotary Club History
Emory O'Banion Talks Co. Budget

Emory O'Banion Merced County's very capable supervisor from the Los Banos-Dos Palos 5th District, told members of the Rotary Club here Tuesday he was well satisfied with the county's operating budget for the coming fiscal year, and was particularly proud of the fact that the county tax rate would be reduced 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation—from $2.55 last year to $2.35 this year. This figure, he pointed out, is less than two-thirds of the total tax collected at the county level, which include school and other special district taxes as well.

O'Banion said the county budget shows total anticipated expenditures this year $336,000 from last year. However, most of the increase will be cared for through federal and state subventions as it mostly represents an expanded welfare program.

There are three primary reasons, O'Banion said, why the lowered tax rate was made possible this year. First, the institution of a sales tax at county level, which is expected to bring in about $120,000 the first year. O'Banion paid high praise to Los Banos mayor John Erreca and City Administrator Mike Dambrosio, as well as former mayor Robert Stocking of Dos Palos, for their interest and cooperation in securing countywide agreement on the sales tax plan.

Second, O'Banion cited the increased valuation of public utilities in this county-up nearly $1 million from last year.

Equally important, the supervisor pointed out, is the substantial increases in efficiency made in several departments, notably the county hospital. There are 730 persons now employed by Merced County—70 less than two years ago. Most of the reduction was made at the county hospital, which now has 245 employees. Despite the reduced personnel, O'Banion stated, the hospital is now handling the work load as well or better than before, remaining employees are receiving more money and are doing a much better job.
Supervisor O'Banion commended the county rehabilitation department, which he stated will probably be expanded within the coming year, or as soon as funds become available. At this minimum security institution prisoners, in return for work performed, enjoy greater privileges, better food, and more conveniences than at the county jail, where prisoners merely "sit out" the period of their confinement. Work crews from the Rehabilitation Center perform a large amount of work for the county and the various communities, doing park maintenance work (including the Fairgrounds and Recreation Park at Los Banos), county road work, weed control, and many other tasks. They also manufacture, at the Rehab Center, a large amount of concrete blocks which are primarily used for construction of county buildings.

Regarding the welfare department, always a sore spot with taxpayers, O'Banion commended the department personnel for the job they are doing, and the thoroughness with which they investigate all applications for welfare aid. "I have personally investigated many cases where it had been reported aid was wrongly being given," O'Banion said, "but have found only one instance in which the welfare department was in error."

"However, we are indeed appreciative of the interest and cooperation of the public," O'Banion emphasized, "and we urge that you report to myself or any member of the welfare department any real or suspected instance where welfare aid funds are being given to persons not entitled to same."

Expressing disappointment in the veto by President Eisenhower of funds for flood control work on Los Banos Creek, O'Banion said certain county monies are being made available this summer for limited channel cleaning, particularly between the Main Canal and Highway 33, where the channel is now almost completely filled with weeds, trees and other undergrowth. "Most certainly," he said, "I don't want to see Los Banos spend another Christmas like last year, and neither do I want to spend my own Christmas Day as I did last year."

Also of special interest to Los Banos and all of the west side O'Banion reported that survey work is now underway on the proposed new roadway extending north from Los Banos at Highway 152 to Stevinson. This proposed roadway has been approved for Federal Aid funds. Following the survey rights-of-way must be secured and final engineering plans approved before any construction is possible. The road will serve a vast agricultural acreage along and adjacent to the river, and provide all-year accessibility to large sections of presently undeveloped lands. It will also provide a direct north-south route from Los Banos to Turlock on Highway 99 that will save many miles of travel for west side people motoring to points north and west of Turlock.

The supervisor was introduced to the Rotarians by C. W. Bates, who took the opportunity to commend O'Banion for the outstanding job he is doing as representative of the Los Banos-Dos Palos area on the county board of supervisors.

August 17, 1956

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