Measure D sales tax increase, potential stormwater fee, discussed at town hall at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center in Monterey.

Approximately 10 community members gathered at the Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center in Monterey on the evening of Monday, April 27, to learn more about Measure D, the potential 0.375 sales tax increase on the June ballot, and a proposed stormwater fee ballot, which will be mailed to property owners in mid-May. 

The town hall was the second of three organized by city staff to discuss the measure, which is estimated to generate about $3 million in its first year and $4.5 million in subsequent years, and the stormwater fee, with the third and final town hall to be held in the Monterey City Council chambers, 580 Pacific St., on Monday, May 4 from 6 to 7pm. 

In the heart of the Casanova Oak Knoll neighborhood, Monterey Assistant City Manager Nat Rojanasathira kicked off the presentations from Finance Director Rafaela King and Environmental Regulations Analyst Rebecca Baggot. King outlined the reasons for the city’s roughly $10 million structural deficit, with information previously reported—including increases in insurance premiums and staff salaries—and the strategies the city is taking to right its fiscal ship, including cutting expenses in various departments and the proposed sales tax increase, among others.

“We are also looking to renew Measure P and S, on the Nov. 26 ballot, renew Measure G, on the Nov. 28 ballot, allocate [Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee] revenues, and that’s a one-time thing, a band-aid,” said King.

“Some of the other things, revenue-wise, that we’re looking at is a streaming tax, a parking tax, a vacancy tax, an admissions tax and use of reserve funds," she said. "None of those are set in stone at the moment but these are some of the things on the table.”

Community members asked questions about the use of reserve funds, the city’s staffing levels, and whether salary freezes or layoffs are being considered, which King said would be the last resort. 

“One of the things we are trying very hard not to do is have any layoffs and furloughs,” she said. “We are trying to make sure that we are not trying to put anyone out of a job.”

 Baggot mentioned that the city’s stormwater program activities are currently paid for by the general fund, which includes system maintenance, inspections, monitoring and regulatory compliance. 

“As a result, stormwater funding competes with other municipal priorities,” Baggot said. “A dedicated funding option is being considered to support stormwater operations.” 

The city is proposing a monthly stormwater fee for property owners in the city, which would range depending on a property’s impervious surface area, like driveways or other paved areas, with those having more impervious areas being charged more. The city estimates the average single-family household would have a monthly charge of about $4.80 or roughly $58 annually.

Baggot said that the proposed fee would fund about two-thirds of annual stormwater program operations and maintenance and the remaining portion would continue to come from the general fund. 

The deadline for the city to mail out ballots about the proposed stormwater fee is May 23, and the deadline for property owners to submit them is July 6 at noon.