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 $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

SUPPORT CARMEL’S FUTURE

We endorse Measures M and N:

Andi Carr

Noel Carr

Chris Campbell

Kim Tada

Hiroomi Tada

Tasha Witt

Bill Karges

Patty Ross

Erin Allen

Donna Jett

Jenny Delves

Barbara Stout

Ellen Thomas

Paul Falworth

Harry Ross

Dylan Witt

Margaret Byrne

Tamara Michie

Andrew Michie

Michael Ramon

Victoria Beach

Vinz Koller

Megan Buder

Deborah Burlingham

David Burlingham

Pete Yengst

Neal Rutta

Cary Ostrie

Jayme Case

Jeffrey Case

Shirley Faxton

Ruth Hansen

Mary Condry

Kelly Brezoczky

Thomas Brezoczky

Paula Hazdocav

Terry Russey

Sharon Meresman

Stan Meresman

Doug Hollenbeck

Christy Hollenbeck

Jim Beck

Larry Mariani

Rina Mariani

Nicholas Earl

Linda Floyd

Jerry Floyd

Laura Bowling

Linda Yellich

Michael LePage

Carmel's entire City Council supports Measures M and N


Dale Byrne, Mayor

Hans Buder, Councilmember

Bob Delves, Councilmember

Allisandra Dramov, Councilmember

Jeff Baron, Councilmember

Candidates who support Measures M and N


Hans Buder, Candidate for Mayor

Allisandra Dramov, Candidate for City Council

Stephan Karapetkov, Planning Commissioner and Candidate for City Council

Join us in supporting Measures M and N!  Sign up below.

Upcoming Events

  • Sunset over a calm beach with gentle waves and an overcast sky.

    Town Hall

    Thursday, Sept 17
    4:30-6:00pm

    Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall

    Please join our Town Hall on September 17th to learn more about Carmel’s budget and Measures M & N.

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.

Please be sure to check Yes! if you’d like to join our list of supporters, and don’t forget to check your RSVP for our Town Hall on September 17.

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

Transparency

Name: Citizens for Carmel's Future

FPPC: 1493807 

Contact: info@supportcarmelsfuture.org