County Budget Crisis & Austerity Measures
Key Questions
What hotel tax measure is Monterey County advancing?
Monterey County leaders are moving forward with a measure to increase the hotel tax (TOT) in unincorporated areas, which will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.
What health care affordability issues are being highlighted in Salinas?
A statewide coalition launched town halls in Salinas on July 9 to address rising health care costs, noting that Central Coast expenses are among the highest in the state, with childbirth costs nearly double the average.
How is Monterey County addressing its budget shortfalls?
The county faces a $76M shortfall in its $2.34B FY26-27 budget, leading to position freezes, program reviews, and new revenue measures such as the proposed TOT increase while rejecting certain fees like the stormwater assessment.
FY26-27 $2.34B budget with $76M shortfalls; Monterey $11.7M deficit, 30-position freeze; Medi-Cal losses; Salinas biennial budget approved; Measure G and rent stabilization repeal on ballot. South County fire service cuts; Greenfield parcel tax increase. Spay/neuter ordinance final adoption July 7. Monterey One Water rate increases (8-9% annual through 2031) with Prop 218 protest deadline June 29. County allocates homeless outreach funding. Monterey City Council scraps new tax initiatives; Measure S continues. County supervisors considering bridge funding for mental health prevention programs (Village Project, Alliance on Aging) threatened by Prop 1 shift; decision July 7. New: July 7 Board of Supervisors meeting approved TOT tax measure for unincorporated areas (moving to November ballot, voter survey shows 60-67% support), $6M for San Lucas water infrastructure, wildfire prevention grants, SHARE Center and Meals on Wheels funding, and new libraries. New: Coalition launches statewide health care affordability town halls with first in Salinas on July 9; Central Coast costs among highest, childbirth costs nearly double average. New: Monterey property owners rejected stormwater fee under Prop 218 (60% no), forcing city to cut stormwater maintenance to bare bones. New: Marina moves forward with utility users tax on November ballot (7% rate, lower for low-income seniors).