Monterey County unveils $2.3 billion recommended budget; supervisors weigh targeted restorations and new fees

Monterey County officials presented a $2.3 billion recommended spending plan on May 28 as the Board of Supervisors opened a series of budget hearings ahead of adoption. County Administrative Officer Sonia De La Rosa and Assistant CAO Debbie Polinelli said the recommended budget prioritizes preserving filled field positions while using one-time balances and limited discretionary revenue to cover rising salary and benefit costs.

The recommended budget package includes a $2,300,000,000 total appropriation and uses a mix of program revenues, restricted grants and one-time fund balance to carry the plan through the coming fiscal year. Polinelli and De La Rosa told supervisors the largest single driver is salaries and benefits (a projected increase in the tens of millions driven by negotiated increases and base wage adjustments), while constrained discretionary growth forced the CAO’s office to limit augmentations.

Why it matters: the plan protects most frontline staff from cuts but depends on limited one-time sources — including portions of contingency and other restricted assignments — leaving the county exposed if midyear costs rise. Supervisors repeatedly asked staff for clear paths to preserve mandates while limiting the erosion of strategic reserves.

What departments asked for: several departments presented requests for additional funding that exceeded the CAO’s available discretionary resources. Notable requests included: a) Elections: Registrar of Voters Gina Martinez warned that 2026 is a deficit…