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Monterey accepts Prop 218 mail-ballot results; proposed flood protection and stormwater fee fails
Summary
City staff reported that a Prop 218 mail ballot on a proposed flood protection and clean stormwater fee drew 4,119 valid ballots (45.56% return); 40.01% supported the fee and 59.99% opposed, so under Prop 218 the fee was not approved and staff will not place a charge on the property tax roll for FY 26–27.
City staff told the Monterey City Council on July 7 that the proposed flood protection and clean stormwater fee did not receive majority support in a Prop 218 mail-ballot proceeding and therefore cannot be imposed.
Rebecca Baggett, presenting the tabulation, said ballots were mailed to 9,273 affected parcels and 4,119 valid ballots were processed (a 45.56% return). Of valid ballots, 1,648 (40.01%) were in support and 2,471 (59.99%) were opposed; 106 ballots were invalid. "With 40.01% in support and 59.99% opposed, the proposed fee was not approved by a majority of the votes cast," Baggett said, adding that staff recommends the council adopt a resolution accepting the certified tabulation to formally close the proceeding.
Staff told the council that the fee would have funded maintenance and operations for stormwater and flood protection programs; without voter approval those activities will need to be funded from the general fund or pared back to regulatory minimums. Public commenters advised the council both to heed the vote as a call to reduce costs and to explain to the public the consequences of the fee's rejection. The council voted unanimously to accept the tabulation results and to acknowledge the outcome of the mail-ballot proceeding.
