KING CITY — Sen. Anna Caballero stopped by King City last Monday to present a check for $400,000 in state funding to the City of King for improvements to park recreation facilities and to help dedicate the City’s new Quint fire truck with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Caballero successfully secured a total of $1.8 million to fund essential community projects in the rural portion of the Salinas Valley. In addition to King City, Greenfield received $1 million for radio transmission and reception upgrades and Soledad was awarded $400,000 for improvements and maintenance at the Soledad-Mission Recreation District.
On Oct. 9, Caballero spent the day visiting each city to present a ceremonial check and tour each site.
“I have served the Salinas Valley as an attorney and elected representative for many years and consider it an honor and privilege to be able to continue to serve through 2024,” said Caballero, who represents California Senate District 14, composed of majority portions of Merced, Fresno and Madera counties, and serves as the interim representative for the Salinas Valley and San Benito County until 2024, when a newly elected senator will assume the district. “I understand that small, rural communities need resources and investment and that is why it is important for me to work closely with communities to identify priorities. This funding is an example of what we can accomplish when we all work together.”
The King City funding has been earmarked for renovation of the City Park tennis courts, the addition of pickleball courts, repairs to the picnic area shade structure and improvements to the pool complex. According to City Manager Steve Adams, the funding will be instrumental for the City’s efforts to address deferred maintenance needs at important public facilities.
“Sen. Caballero has played an instrumental role in King City’s efforts to address high-priority needs while resolving a two-decade long financial crisis,” Adams said. “… Now, she has secured additional funds to help address some of the City’s serious deferred maintenance and recreational needs by improving amenities at City Park. Sen. Caballero’s efforts to help King City have made a major impact in improving our community.”
Immediately following the check presentation, a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held for the City’s new Quint fire aerial apparatus. The purchase of the new fire truck was also made possible by a $1 million state grant secured by Caballero for King City last year.
The equipment is critical for enhancement of firefighting capabilities and enables the City to allow three-story buildings to address vital housing and economic development needs.
“We are very excited to put into service a critical new fire apparatus, which would not have been possible without Caballero’s efforts to secure state funding for the acquisition,” Adams said. “It will be instrumental in improving fire response, enabling future development, and maintaining the City’s fire rating to lower insurance costs for all the community.”
King City Mayor Mike LeBarre added that he “greatly appreciates” Caballero’s targeted investments for the community.
“She knows rural communities have many needs, that is why she secured funding for our Quint ladder truck to improve safety for all of our residents and provide an additional tool to create more housing, and now she invests in our youth with today’s presentation of $400,000 for City Park facilities for a healthier, happier, higher quality of life,” LeBarre said. “Thank you, Sen. Caballero.”
