Measure AA Update

Glenn Church
2 days ago
2 min read

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

A year ago, voters in unincorporated Monterey County approved Measure AA. Measure AA increased the unincorporated sales tax from 7.75% to 8.75%. This one percent increase will generate approximately $25 million annually, which will only be spent for services and infrastructure in unincorporated Monterey County. Since it has been a year since its passage, I want to provide an update on its status.

A Board of Supervisors committee has been formed to meet quarterly to discuss how to spend the revenues as they come in. For this first year, I serve on this committee with Supervisor Lopez. Both Supervisor Lopez and I support the bulk of these dollars being spent on infrastructure and limit those expenditures to recurring expenses.

Although passed in November, the sales tax increase did not go into effect until April. The County did not receive the bulk of the April, May and June quarter’s tax revenue until late August. During the budget discussion in early summer, the Board voted to expend the first round of revenues to fill some budget gaps. Approximately two-thirds of the first revenues were spent on improving services and staffing for both the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Services, where both deputies and Animal Control officers as well as support staff were added. Some money went to support planning and building services with Housing and Community Development. However, nearly half went to Public Works and the Road Fund. Although I believe these expenditures are generally well directed, I voted against spending the first Measure AA revenues at that time. I felt the Measure AA Committee should review those expenditures first.

The July, August and September quarter’s revenues have been received by the county now. The Measure AA Committee will be reviewing these revenues and making recommendations on how to spend the money to the Board of Supervisors, most likely in January. I will be advocating for spending on roads and parks but also expect funding requests to develop an ordinance for battery facilities in Moss Landing will likely be part of the conversation.

In the next few months, and regularly thereafter, long-neglected projects in unincorporated Monterey County will receive a steady stream of Measure AA dollars. The need is considerable, and the county is large, but I expect positive and noticeable impacts.

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. You can reach us at 831-755-5022 or district2@countyofmonterey.gov.

Sincerely,