County of Monterey Government News

Soon after the Big Red Barn received approval for a permit to host larger events, activists and researchers appealed the decision, citing inadequate review of the potential environmental impacts.

It was standing room only at the County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, filled with joyful tears and culminating in a performance by mariachi band Nuevo Jalisco and tacos for all.

The County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, Jan. 7 and will consider adopting the 2024 Cannabis Program Strategic Plan, which updates management strategies to reflect the county’s evolving cannabis industry.

For conservationists, the dream of preserving Ferrini Ranch, an approximately 870-acre property that straddles Toro Park along Highway 68, has been in the ether for decades, long before the County Board of Supervisors, in a 3-2 vote, approved a development on the property in 2014.

Nearly two years after floods in the North County town of Pajaro displaced most of its residents, the community’s recovery process is still ongoing. That includes the distribution of the funds meant to bolster recovery.

The dust has settled from the November election, with the vote certified on Dec. 3—the same day new members of Salinas City Council were sworn in.

See Monterey, the destination marketing organization for Monterey County, recently released the Monterey County Tourism 2030 Roadmap (MCT 2030), a collaborative strategic plan created to guide the local hospitality and tourism industry through myriad changes between now and 2030.

Immigrants form the backbone of Monterey County’s two largest industries, agriculture and hospitality, both of which are experiencing labor shortages.

Monterey County Board of Supervisors recently held a special ceremony to honor the distinguished service of Salinas World War II Merchant Marine veteran John Edward Laughton and declared Nov. 12, 2024, as “John Edward Laughton Day” in Monterey County.

Monterey County Superior Court celebrated the expansion of services at the King City Courthouse last week, marking a significant milestone for South Monterey County residents.

The Monterey County Superior Court expanded its court services in South County to offer limited services for residents every Tuesday.

While the presidency and the U.S. Senate flipped from blue to red, Monterey County's elected representatives to state and federal office remain solidly blue, with big victories on Nov. 5 for incumbents, all Democrats.

Monterey County Board of Supervisors has approved a hiring freeze for county positions funded by the General Fund discretionary revenue.

Monterey County Elections Office and the Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) are joining efforts to offer Books and Ballots Week in South Monterey County, providing early flex voting centers at various libraries throughout the week. 

It was an extensive collaboration that enabled Salinas to open the first state-subsidized Homekey project in Monterey County in December 2020, initially housing over 60 people who either had no homes or were on the brink of homelessness.

Pressured by a projected $20 million deficit for the next fiscal year, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to implement a hiring freeze for positions funded by General Fund discretionary revenue, as well as establish guidelines for developing exemptions to the freeze.

County of Monterey Vacation Rentals Ordinances, which regulate vacation rental operations in inland unincorporated Monterey County, will take effect Oct. 14.

Ballots for the Nov. 5 Presidential General Election have begun mailing as of Oct. 3, and there are a couple of things Monterey County voters should know to get vote ready.

A now-vacant 94-year-old hospital building and a row of 12 occupied cottage apartments within unincorporated Carmel just off Highway 1 could become the site of Monterey County’s first “builder’s remedy” housing development, with construction of at least 127 units of very low-, low – and moderate-income apartments and townhomes.

Roosters were back on the agenda at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Oct. 1.

MONTEREY COUNTY — Effective Oct. 1, 10 branches of Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) will be adjusting their hours of operation.

Effective Oct. 1, 10 branches of Monterey County Free Libraries will be adjusting their hours of operation.

Proceeding number A2207001 before the California Public Utilities Commission began on July 1, 2022 when California American Water filed an application to increase revenues from ratepayers.

Two weeks after the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in favor of a new short-term rental ordinance, the board split down the same lines on Tuesday, Sept. 10, in a final approval of amendments to the county’s code.