MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County has released its County Administrative Officer’s Recommended Budget for fiscal year 2026-27 for public review ahead of budget hearings scheduled to begin May 27.
The recommended budget totals $2.34 billion, representing a $117.2 million increase, or 5.3%, over the prior year, according to county officials. The budget supports 5,700.8 positions, a reduction of 111.1 positions from the current fiscal year.
County officials said the reductions were achieved primarily through the elimination of vacant positions in an effort to align ongoing costs with available resources while preserving essential services.
The budget prioritizes public safety, health, social services and infrastructure projects while maintaining reserves and addressing long-term pension obligations, the county stated.
Officials also noted the county continues to face rising employee compensation costs, pension contributions and health insurance premiums while discretionary revenues remain flat and growth in realignment revenues has lagged behind service delivery costs.
According to the county, the budget relies on limited one-time funding solutions to sustain programs and services that could otherwise face suspension because of insufficient ongoing revenue.
For the second consecutive year, the County Administrative Officer’s Recommended Budget has been released digitally for public review.
“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,” said County Administrative Officer Sonia M. De La Rosa.
The General Fund portion of the budget includes a decrease of 68.9 vacant positions as part of efforts to improve the county’s structural balance between ongoing expenditures and recurring revenues, officials said.
County budget hearings will begin May 27, when the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will consider the recommended budget, hear departmental presentations and receive public comments before adopting a final budget for the coming fiscal year.
The recommended budget is available for review on the county’s website. Residents may participate in hearings through Zoom, Facebook and YouTube livestreams hosted by the county.
