PER CAPITA SPENDING: Cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey & Pacific Grove

ABSTRACT: For the Cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey and Pacific Grove, statistics and per capita spending calculations are presented. While the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has double and triple the per capita spending of Monterey and Pacific Grove, respectively, Carmel-by-the-Sea has closed, dilapidated, and/or unused historic, cultural and environmental public assets. A question about the current City Council’s responsibility to their constituents is asked.

CITY----------GENERAL FUND-----------POPULATION-----LAND AREA
Carmel--------$13.1 million(2007/08)---4,038-----------1.1 sq. mile

Monterey------$48.0 million2006/07)---30,161----------8.4 sq. mile

Pacific Grove--$16.5 million(2007/08)--15,305----------2.9 sq. mile

PER CAPITA SPENDING:
Carmel: $3,244
Monterey: $1,591
Pacific Grove: $1,078

COMMENTS:
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has double the per capita spending of the City of Monterey and triple the per capita spending of the City of Pacific Grove, yet the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has, as follows:

• A closed community center (Scout House)

• A decaying and dilapidated National Register of Historic Places resource (Flanders Mansion)

• A dilapidated historic outdoor and indoor theatre (Forest Theatre)

• An unused public park (Rio Park)

• Poorly maintained streets, roads and avenues

• Absence of satisfactory Carmel Beach upkeep and maintenance, including inadequate restroom facilities along Scenic Road

• Absence of reforestation; more trees removed than planted

QUESTION: Given the preceding record, does the current City Council deserve citizen support or should current City Council members be voted out of office at the earliest opportunity and replaced with Carmelites committed to rectifying these grievous deficiencies and injustices?