Monterey County Board of Supervisors Moves Forward Toward “Mansion Tax” on November Ballot

At their meeting this morning (Tuesday, March 17), the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to direct staff to analyze and prepare language for a potential ballot measure to impose a transaction tax on sales of expensive single-family homes in unincorporated areas of Monterey County. The home price threshold for application of the tax may be $10 million or $5 million, with possible graduated increases in the tax rate as the price goes up. Revenue from this tax would be used for a variety of purposes to help increase the supply of “missing middle” housing—households that earn too much to be eligible for government-subsidized housing but don’t make enough to pay for market rate housing.

This proposed tax would be on the November 3, 2026 ballot and would require two-thirds approval from all Monterey County voters. Houses with sale prices over $10 million are all located in one district (represented by Supervisor Kate Daniels, who proposed the tax measure), so the Board of Supervisors will need to consider strategies that ensure voter support throughout the county. Your Chamber is monitoring this tax proposal and will consider a position before a final board vote later in the year.

New City of Monterey Proposed Parking Tax Not on Ballot—at This Time

On March 3, 2026, the Monterey City Council discussed putting an 8% parking lot tax on the June 2, 2026 election ballot for voters to consider. Draft meeting minutes summarize the city council's deliberation and decision not to proceed:

"It was agreed that there would be a significant need for voter education. Concern was expressed about there being too many questions and not enough data about issues such as parking spaces and revenue projections, public parking lots, special events, and educational facilities such as Monterey Peninsula College. Equity was cited as a concern, specifically relating to fairness between private and public parking lots. Parking rates in the City's public lots were discussed, including the potential for local discounts, and State law that limited the City's ability to set higher rates." The City Council voted 5-0 to direct staff to review questions asked by councilmembers and prepare for a discussion about placing the parking tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Your Chamber is monitoring this tax proposal and will consider a position before a final city council vote later in the year.

What’s Happening at the Old Marina Coast Water District Office Overlooking the Ocean?

Over the last couple of years, the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) has shifted its administrative and customer service offices from a building at the end of Reservation Road overlooking Marina State Beach and Monterey Bay (at 11 Reservation Road in Marina) to the Imjin Office Park at 920 2nd Avenue, Suite B in Marina. Now, California State Parks will be leasing the former MCWD building at an appraised amount of $3,350 per month as a temporary location for its operations as it renovates its existing building nearby.

Also located at this address is a small desalination plant owned by MCWD that from 1997 to 2003 extracted salty, brackish water from a shallow aquifer to produce drinking water. The plant has production capability of 300 acre-feet per year, and the water district has maintained the discharge permit as active. Long-planned renovation of the plant for supplemental district water supply is now ongoing, including replacing the well pump and piping, wellhead vault, intake well and brine discharge piping, and electrical systems.

Clothing for Fellow Community Residents in Need: Upcycled Prom Closet and Dress for Success Programs

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) hosts an “Upcycled Prom Closet” each year to ensure no student stays home from the prom because of limited financial resources. Students were invited to the Oldemeyer Center in the City of Seaside on Saturday, March 7, 2026 for a pop-up event to browse a wide collection of free prom dresses, suits, and accessories. District schools with proms: Seaside High School, Central Coast High School, Monterey High School, and Marina High School. At its upcoming meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Seaside City Council will consider a $3000 contribution from the Mayor's Youth Fund for this program. For more information about donating or volunteering for this program, call MPUSD at (831) 645-1200.

Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) hosted a “Dress for Success” clothing drive and pop-up event each year to ensure students with limited financial resources have appropriate professional attire to participate with confidence in job interviews and other networking activities. At the beginning of each year, the “MPC Lobo Closet Clean-Out Clothing Drive” collects donations of gently-used or new professional clothing for men and women at the Marina Campus and the Monterey Campus. The “Dress for Success” event took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the MPC Library at the Monterey Campus. Today (March 17, 2026), the Monterey City Council will formally recognize the value of this program. For more information about donating or volunteering for this program, call MPC Career Services at (831) 645-7500.

Happening tomorrow! Join us at the Monterey County STEM Talent Expo. Meet with Fortune 500 companies, local companies and government agencies looking to recruit new talent for internships and positions, and education partners hoping to enhance your career opportunities in STEM.

Monterey County is experiencing elevated temperatures, and a Heat Advisory is currently in place. We encourage our community to take simple precautions to stay safe and cool.

Stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and seek out shaded or air-conditioned spaces when possible. Be sure to check in on neighbors and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Visit readymontereycounty.org for more information.

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