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Monterey staff outline $11.6 million shortfall and propose hiring freeze, O&M cuts and one‑time NCIP use
Summary
City staff told the Monterey City Council the FY 2026–27 budget faces an $11.6 million structural deficit and recommended temporary emergency steps — freezing 30 vacant positions, additional operations-and‑maintenance cuts, and a one‑time use of NCIP funds — while pursuing longer‑term revenue options including a proposed 0.375% sales tax measure.
City Manager Dante Hall told the Monterey City Council on April 29 that the city faces an $11.6 million structural shortfall in the proposed FY 2026–27 budget and presented an emergency “repair” package to buy time for longer‑term fixes.
“Balancing the budget this year is almost like an emergency repair to that bridge that keeps it safe,” Hall said, urging the council to review staff recommendations and provide direction. Staff emphasized they were not asking the council to adopt the budget tonight but to give feedback on the proposed approach.
The staff proposal includes freezing 30 currently vacant positions (26 of them funded from the general fund) to generate about $3.7…
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