Monterey County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Water Resource Agency closed session item
The Monterey County Water Resource Agency board convened with one item handled in closed session. Details of the item weren't announced publicly at the start of the meeting.
Integrated Water Resources Management and Seawater Intrusion
The county is moving forward with an ad hoc committee to establish an integrated planning forum to address severe groundwater overdraft and financing for regional water projects.
Point-of-Use Water Treatment Ordinance for New Construction
The county is moving forward with a draft ordinance to allow point of use and point of entry water treatment systems for new construction on legal lots of record, helping property owners build homes where centralized water systems fail standards.
Composting Toilets and Rural Housing Regulations
Exploring whether Monterey County should loosen restrictions on waterless and composting toilets to help make rural housing and ADUs easier to build. Environmental health noted that current rules require standard septic or sewer infrastructure for gray water, but agreed to look at what other counties like Yolo are doing.
Pajaro Sunny Mesa Regional Water System Consolidation
A major water consolidation project is underway to combine failing private and small public water systems in North County into a reliable regional public utility managed by Pajaro Sunny Mesa CSD.
AT&T Landline Discontinuation Proposals
Public commenters urged the county to oppose AT&T's efforts to eliminate copper landline telephone service, citing critical safety needs during power outages and natural disasters.
Water Allocation Policy for Monterey Peninsula
The county is crafting a new policy to divvy up newly available water from the Pure Water Monterey Expansion project. Developers and residents are debating how to prioritize waitlists, affordable housing, and individual property permits without stalling economic investment.
Solid Waste Hauling Commercial Rate Disparities
Residents and officials discussed an independent rate study analyzing the 54% difference in commercial waste hauling rates between the Salinas Valley and the peninsula. Concerns were raised about equity, material density, and operational cost drivers between the two regional systems.
San Lucas Clean Drinking Water Project
The small disadvantaged community of San Lucas has faced water insecurity and drinking water orders for nearly 20 years. County leaders and state/federal partners are working to secure funding for a new well and on-site water treatment system to finally provide clean drinking water and unblock affordable housing.
Dam Safety and Flood Protection Projects
Nacimiento and San Antonio dams require critical safety upgrades, including spillway replacements and outlet repairs, with costs escalating rapidly. Officials stressed the need for state and federal funding to protect Salinas Valley communities and a $12 billion agricultural economy from flood risks.
Santa Rita Creek Flood Mitigation
Residents in Bolsa Knolls face recurring flooding from Santa Rita Creek, prompting the board to review a drainage study and explore governance and sediment removal options.