County of Monterey Government News

There is possibly little doubt that the meadow known as Tarpy Flats along Olmsted Road outside of Monterey will be developed. The neighbors don’t want it to be so, but a state law is on the side of a developer who plans to build homes.

In an effort to raise awareness about the critical role of Civil Grand Juries in promoting justice and accountability within the community, Monterey County Superior Court announced that March has been officially declared Civil Grand Jury Awareness Month.

The Health Departments of the Counties of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz invite the public to participate in a community survey to systematically gather information about potential health concerns related to the January 2025 battery fire at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility.

As evidenced by the number of attendees at a community event called Wildfire Ready, wildfire is at the forefront of many Monterey County residents and local leaders’ minds.

Monterey County Board of Supervisors has joined a coalition of cities and counties across the United States in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful threats against local jurisdictions with so-called “sanctuary” policies.

The health departments of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties invite the public to participate in a community survey to gather information about potential health concerns related to the recent battery fires at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility.

The Health Departments of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, are conducting this community survey to learn more about the Energy Storage Facility Fire in Monterey County that started on January 16, 2025.

Until recently, the County of Monterey took a fragmented approach to homeless encampment cleanups in unincorporated areas. Sometimes Public Works responded, sometimes the Sheriff’s Office.

The County of Monterey has joined an amicus brief filed in federal court to oppose a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump that seeks to limit birthright citizenship. The motion, filed by the Public Rights Project, urges the court to issue a preliminary injunction preventing the order from taking effect.

Since 2022, the County of Monterey has received nearly $3 million in funds stemming from several opioid settlement lawsuits, with a total of $13 million expected over the next 20 years. After a slow start in distributing funds to agencies and nonprofits to fight opioid use and addiction in the community, county officials are finally designating cash to several programs, totaling over $1.56 million.

Just a week into the new year, fires tore through Los Angeles, burning nearly 38,000 acres through Pacific Palisades, Altadena and surrounding areas. Concerned Monterey County residents, fearing similar disasters, have inundated local officials with questions about regional preparedness.

A new disc golf course has opened in Royal Oaks Park, a project by the Monterey Parks and Lakes Department.

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.