A COMMUNITY COMMITTEE FOR CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Protecting the character of Carmel. Planning responsibly for its future.
Support Carmel’s Future brings residents together around thoughtful, transparent, locally focused solutions that strengthen our village for generations to come.
WHY WE FORMED
Local decisions should reflect Carmel’s values.
Carmel faces important choices about public services, infrastructure, fiscal stability, and the preservation of the village character residents value.
Our committee supports informed civic participation and practical solutions grounded in reliable information, responsible stewardship, and local control.
FACTS & RESOURCES
Good decisions begin with clear information.
Have you noticed that Carmel’s streets, sidewalks, trees and beach are showing their wear and tear? As recently as January 2025, less than 1% of City revenues were being allocated to capital maintenance and improvement projects. We can do better.
Our current City Council has taken important steps to correct this, including:
Created a 10-year plan to invest $10 million per year to address $100 million in documented, long overdue capital maintenance needs;
Reduced operating expenditures and redirected nearly $6 million in ongoing annual funding toward deferred maintenance and critical infrastructure investments;
Established a Financial Stewardship Committee to bring greater rigor, transparency, and accountability to the City’s budgeting and spending decisions;
Voted to support Measures M & N on the November ballot, which are projected to provide the remaining $4 million in annual funding needed to implement the 10-year capital plan—with most of this new revenue contributed by overnight guests and tourists.
To fund the 10-year plan to invest $10 million per year to address Carmel’s aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs requires both:
The $6 million dollars in reduced and reallocated annual spending within Carmel’s city budget (which City Council has done),
AND an $4 million dollars in new annual revenue generated by Measures M & N.
WHAT GUIDES US
Two priorities for Carmel’s future.
01 Measure M Will:
Add +2% to Carmel’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), bringing Carmel’s TOT to 12%, the same as Monterey and Pacific Grove
Generate nearly $2 million in new revenue each year
Paid by overnight visitors staying in Carmel hotels
A little bit more by visitors. A lot more for Carmel.
What does Measure M Cost?
A visitor staying in a $250 hotel room would pay “only” $5 more per night.
02 Measure N Will:
Increase Carmel’s sales tax by +0.375%, bringing Carmel’s local sales tax share from 1.5% to 1.875%
Generate nearly $2 million in new revenue each year
Paid for by visitors and residents shopping and dining locally, most food purchased in grocery stores is exempt
A little bit more for Carmel before Monterey County or another regional agency claims these locally generated tax dollars
What does Measure N Cost?
Only 19¢ “more” on a $50 purchase
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ABOUT THE COMMITTEE
Working together for a stronger Carmel.
Support Carmel’s future is a locally organized political action committee formed to support thoughtful public policy and informed voter participation in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
We are a group of residents who believe Carmel’s aging infrastructure deserves attention and we support the current City Council’s financial stewardship and efforts to place Measures M & N on the November ballot.
Our founding members: Tamara Michie, Jim Beck, Andi Carr, Donna Jett, Kelly Brezoczky, Dale Byrne, and Peter Yengst
GET INVOLVED
Help shape Carmel’s future.
Sign up for updates, volunteer, host a neighborhood conversation, request a sign, or help share accurate information with the community.
Our endorsements page is coming. Please be sure to check if you’d like to be included!
SUPPORT THE EFFORT
Help us reach Carmel voters.
Your contribution can support voter education, community outreach, mail, digital communications, and campaign operations.