Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public or business administration or a closely related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.
Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in an administrative, managerial, or staff capacity in a Municipal organization, involving the responsibility for the planning, organization, implementation and supervision of varied work programs.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Modern municipal management methods and procedures, organizations, and functions; principles of public and business administration including public finance and personnel administration; current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of municipal government; applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations regarding a local government operations; principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups and agencies, private businesses and firms, and other levels of government.
Ability to: Provide effective leadership and coordinate the activities of a large, full service, municipal organization; analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner; appraise situations and people accurately and quickly and adopt an effective course of action; serve effectively as the administrative agent of the City Council; select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
Council Regular Meeting, 12/2/2025, Item No. 11., Item Page 11, Packet Page 208 Council
Agenda Report
№07/19
FROM: Hans Uslar, City Manager
Prepared by: Nat Rojanasathira, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Receive Presentation on Phase 1 Poll of Likely Voters: Potential Tax Measures to Reduce the City's $10 Million Structural (Annual) Budget Deficit (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive a presentation on Phase 1:
poll of likely voters on the potential tax measures to
reduce the City’s $10 million structural (annual) budget deficit.
VALUE DRIVERS:
Serve as stewards of the City’s financial resources
through sound economic vitality efforts, streamlining
operations, reasonable revenue enhancements, visionary
long-term planning, fiscal transparency, and community
partnerships.
Foster a local government that is transparent and
collaborative; and solicits, welcomes and appreciates
input from all.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT (LEVINE
ACT) APPLIES: No.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City is facing a $10 million structural deficit that started in FY 2025-26 and has held several meetings to
discuss potential strategies to reduce the deficit. At its September 16, 2025 meeting, the City Council agreed to engage a public opinion research firm to poll and analyze public support for various tax measures.
The cost for the fall 2025 public opinion survey design, implementation, and analysis is $35,500.
Unassigned fund balance was utilized for this engagement.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The City of Monterey determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)(CCR, Title 14, Chapter 3 (“CEQA Guidelines”), Article 20, Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Agenda Report Highlights
The City of Monterey faces a $10
million annual structural budget
deficit due to expenses outpacing
revenue growth.
Public opinion research is essential
to assess voter support for potential
tax measures before the June and
November 2026 elections.
A two-phase polling approach was
approved to evaluate support for a
sales tax increase and renewal of
Measure P/S.
The Phase 1 poll conducted in
November 2025 focused on voter
sentiment regarding a sales tax
increase / extension and potential
parking tax.
Date: 12/2/2025
Item No.: 15.
Council Regular Meeting, 12/2/2025, Item No. 15., Item Page 1, Packet Page 209 activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or any reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council could opt not to receive a presentation on public opinion research strategies, but that is not recommended. Local governments are advised to move forward on tax measures only after determining if there is sufficient support for the measure(s) to have a chance of success.
DISCUSSION:
Addressing the City’s $10 million Structural Deficit
The City’s expense growth is outpacing the City’s revenue generation. Addressing the $10m structural deficit requires additional ongoing revenue or ongoing reductions in expenditures. At its meetings on August 27, September 2, October 13, and October 21, 2025, the City Council reviewed options to reduce the deficit that involves both increasing ongoing revenue and reducing ongoing expenditures. Discussions regarding long-term structural deficit solutions will continue.
Public Opinion Research Approach
At its meeting on September 16, 2025, the City Council agreed with the approach of conducting public opinion research in two phases: one poll in fall 2025 in advance of the June 2026 election, and another in mid-2026 ahead of the November 2026 election. The two-phased approach was recommended to gauge voter sentiment at different times, given the five-month gap between elections.
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3), the same polling firm that conducted polling for the City in 2014, 2018 and 2019, conducted the first phase of the polling in November 2025 in the two weeks immediately following the November 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election.
The fall survey of likely voters focuses on voter sentiment regarding a sales tax increase or extension and a potential parking tax. The survey results of likely voters conducted in midNovember 2025 are being analyzed and will be presented to the City Council on December 2, 2025.
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on this matter within 72 hours prior to the meeting, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, will be made available at the following link:
monterey.gov/submittedcomments
Council Regular Meeting, 12/2/2025, Item No. 15., Item Page 2, Packet Page 210