Better City Services & Community Connection

Good government should be accessible, responsive, and connected to the people it serves.

During my term, I've worked to create more opportunities for residents to participate in City government while improving how people interact with the City.

MY MONTEREY GOV App

We launched the MY MONTEREY GOV App to make it easier for residents to connect with the City and submit service requests.

From January–July 2025 to January–July 2026, service requests increased 141%, from 263 to 634.

The app gives residents another way to report issues and connect with City services, whether they choose to create an account or submit a request anonymously. 

MY MONTEREY GOV is about making City government easier to reach and more responsive to everyday concerns.

A more open appointments process

We changed the process for appointments to City boards, commissions, and committees.

Previously, the Mayor conducted interviews and made recommendations to the City Council.  The new process includes public interviews by the Mayor and Vice Mayor, followed by a recommendation to the Council.

This creates greater transparency around an important way residents participate in City government.

More opportunities for community input

During the last budget cycle, I asked the Finance Department to hold budget town halls throughout the community, giving residents additional opportunities to learn about the City's finances and provide input before the budget was adopted.

I believe residents should have opportunities to participate before decisions are made—not simply be informed after the fact. 

Recognizing Monterey's history

The City Council also adopted Monterey's first Proclamation Apologizing to the Esselen and Rumsien First Peoples in Monterey and Acknowledgement of Historic Injustices.

Acknowledging our history is part of building a community where people feel seen, respected, and included.

Building community together

The future of Monterey belongs to all of us.

That means continuing to create opportunities for residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, nonprofits, and other community partners to participate in shaping the City's future. 

Through The Roadmap to Resilience, we have an opportunity to build on that work and make community participation an important part of how Monterey addresses its challenges.

I believe Monterey is strongest when everyone has a voice in its future.