The County of Monterey is pleased to announce the release of the County Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026–27. This year’s budget, totaling $2.34 billion, reflects the County’s ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the delivery of essential services to Monterey County’s diverse communities.
Budget Highlights:
- Total Budget: $2.34 billion, a $117.2 million (5.3%) increase over the prior year.
- Workforce: Supports 5,700.8 positions, a reduction of 111.1 positions (2%) from FY 2025-26, achieved primarily through targeted elimination of vacant positions to align ongoing costs with available resources.
- Digital Release: For the second time, the CAO Recommended Budget is being released digitally for public review, enhancing accessibility and transparency for all residents.
- Strategic Investments: The budget prioritizes public safety, health, social services, and infrastructure, while maintaining prudent reserves and addressing long-term pension obligations.
- Fiscal Challenges: The County continues to face rising costs in employee compensation, pension contributions, and health insurance premiums, while discretionary revenues remain flat and realignment revenue growth lags behind escalating service delivery costs.
- One-Time Solutions: The budget relies on limited one-time funding solutions to sustain critical programs and services that would otherwise face suspension due to insufficient ongoing revenue.
Position Reductions:
- The FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget includes a net decrease of 111.1 positions, with the General Fund reflecting a decrease of 68.9 vacant positions. These reductions are part of a targeted effort to lower overall costs and improve the structural balance between ongoing expenditures and recurring revenues, while preserving essential services and filled positions critical to County operations
From the County Administrative Officer:
“The County Administrator and Department Directors remain steadfast in serving the community with dignity, integrity, and respect. Accordingly, the County Administrator’s Recommended Budget for FY 2026–27 will be released digitally for public review in advance of the budget hearings scheduled later this month,” says County Administrative Officer Sonia M. De La Rosa
How to Access the Recommended Budget: The FY 2026-27 CAO Recommended Budget is available for public review on the County of Monterey website Budget & Analysis | County of Monterey, CA Residents are encouraged to participate in the budget process and share their feedback.
Public Participation in the Budget Process: The digital release of the budget ensures that all residents can review and provide input prior to the upcoming budget hearings, which are scheduled May 27, 2026. During budget hearings, the Board of Supervisors will consider the Recommended Budget, hear presentations from County departments, and receive public comments before adopting the final budget for the coming fiscal year.
There are a variety of ways for the community to participate.
Join the webinar via Zoom at:
https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/224397747
Hearings can be seen on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/MontereyCountyTV
