12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Last year, voters in unincorporated Monterey County approved Measure AA, a 1-percent sales tax. As the County Board of Supervisors held budget hearings throughout the first half of 2025, the question of how much money AA would generate and how exactly that money would be used came up frequently, but was never answered. The answer began coming into focus on Tuesday, Aug. 26 from an ad hoc committee, led by supervisors Glenn Church and Chris Lopez. They confirmed that the funds would be directed toward new projects (rather than ongoing commitments) and would be assessed quarterly starting in fiscal year 2026-27. “We’re still developing a process,” Church said. He explained that the funds must be spent in unincorporated parts of the county and can be used for any general government purpose, such as roads, parks and public safety. Projects prioritized this year include $1.5 million to support AXON body cameras for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office; $50,000 to support initiatives led by the new ag tech startup The Reservoir; and $50,000 to support Regenerative California’s blue economy and fisheries programs. Lopez emphasized that, although the funds are not legally restricted to specific uses, public polling identified clear priorities that he believes the county should respect. Among the top priorities cited by voters in support of the sales tax were road repairs, reducing homelessness and water and sewer infrastructure improvements. As the Aug. 26 meeting progressed, first-quarter revenue numbers were coming in in real time. County Administrative Officer Sonia De La Rosa informed the board that while the original projection for April and May was $2 million, updated figures showed revenue was actually between $5 and $6 million for the first quarter. The annual revenue estimate, initially projected at $29 million, was revised down to $24 million. “We’re breaking even now,” Lopez said. Though there was some disagreement about whether funds should be allocated quarterly or annually, the board unanimously voted for a quarterly schedule, arguing it allows for more strategic planning and avoids committing funds prematurely. “There’s a lot that is fluid here,” said Church, anticipating a possible boost over Christmas. “We really just don’t know how much we’re going to get this year, [but] these funds are going to be essential.” An elementary teacher in San Ardo Unified School District who was previously a supervisor of academic instruction at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad is facing criminal charges. Gaige Bailey faces four felony charges for allegedly transporting, bringing to prison, and intending to sell a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and a misdemeanor for communicating with inmates without authorization. The alleged crimes happened over a span of four months, from March 1 to June 28, 2024. Bailey pleaded not guilty of all counts. Her case isn’t the only one, says defense attorney William Pernik. He says his firm receives calls about similar cases regularly and there is common denominator: professional women with no prior criminal record, some facing mental health issues, history of trauma or low self-esteem. “The government dismisses these cases as for-profit operations,” Pernik says. “Our experience has shown that that’s oftentimes not the case.” According to an article titled “Professional Boundaries in Corrections” published on the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, several factors contribute to inappropriate relationships between inmates and staff, such as shared feelings of being unappreciated. Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon says the maximum sentence for a similar case is four years in jail. That changes if the person, like Bailey, has no criminal record. In her case, the maximum sentence is felony probation, which may include less than a year in jail or home confinement. According to court documents, Sudhanva Rajapopal, a licensed clinical psychologist, evaluated Bailey and diagnosed her with PTSD and bipolar disorder. Bailey is seeking a mental health diversion. “If they complete diversion, the case is dismissed. There is no conviction, no jail time, no probation,” Brannon notes. A hearing on the diversion request is scheduled for Sept. 4 in Monterey County Superior Court. Flex Funds County approves a process for deciding how to spend money from Measure AA. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS ON THE DAIS The North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6pm Thursday, Aug. 28. North Monterey County High School media center, 13990 Castroville Blvd., Castroville. Free. 633-3343, nmcusd.org. GET EQUIPPED The County of Monterey is donating surplus office equipment to nonprofit organizations and teachers. Organizations and educators must submit proof of nonprofit or current teaching status in order to receive items for free. 11am-noon Friday, Aug. 29. 1488 Schilling Place, Salinas. Free. 7554990, countyofmonterey.gov. OVERDOSE AWARENESS In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, Community Human Services hosts two events to learn about life-saving resources. Narcan, the medication that reverses overdoses, will be handed out. Noon-2pm Friday, Aug. 29 and noon2pm Sunday, Aug. 31. Genesis House, 1152 Sonoma Ave., Seaside. Free. 6583811, chservices.org. GREEN THUMBS The City of Gonzales and local organizations host a community gardening day. All ages are invited to help clean garden beds, paint rocks, learn about invasive species and more. 10am-noon Saturday, Aug. 30. Corner of Elko Street and Fairview Drive (next to the community pool), Gonzales. Free. 675-4206, gonzalesca.gov. PUBLIC PROCESS The Hartnell College Board of Trustees meets to discuss college business and accept public comments. 5:30pm Tuesday, Sept. 2. Hartnell College, Soledad Education Center, 1505 Metz Road, Soledad. Free. hartnell.edu/about/hccdgb. LOOKING TO HIRE Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers in finance, insurance and real estate with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1:30-4pm Wednesday, Sept. 3. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suite 203, Salinas. Free. 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. GETTING AROUND The County of Monterey Sustainability Program asks residents how they use transportation services. The survey is part of a study that aims to identify accessible and sustainable transportation options. Survey ends Sept. 6. tinyurl.com/ MontereyZEV. Prison Time Teacher faces charges of four felonies for alleged crimes at Soledad prison. By Celia Jiménez Glenn Church, a member of the Measure AA committee, noted flexibility in spending: “The big thing we’re bound by is that it’s unincorporated areas and public benefit.” E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “These funds are going to be essential.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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