Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
2 issues in public safety with high priority
CARE Court implementation and state scrutiny
Monterey County's CARE Court program is booming — 88 petitions filed and caseloads doubled — but the state initially ranked it an underperformer based only on petition counts. The state reimburses barely half the cost, and supervisors worry about capacity and the Housing Authority's plan to end the Hope Housing Marina partnership.
Sheriff's Office Drone Program Expansion
The board approved a multi-year contract to modernize and expand the sheriff's office drone fleet, sparking debate over surveillance, privacy, and budget allocation.