Title
Receive a preliminary response to Board Referral Number 2026.10 (Root Askew) to review and recommend updates to Board Policy G-146 related to ceremonial display of the Pride Flag to establish a consistent approach for recognizing Pride Month through flag display practices at County facilities and parks.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral 2026.10 and;
b. Direct that staff:
i. Continue review and recommended updates to Board Policy G-146 related to ceremonial display of the Pride Flag to establish a consistent approach for recognizing Pride Month through flag display practices at County facilities and parks;
ii. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board.
c. Rescind referral.
d. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Background:
On May 19, 2026, Supervisor Root Askew (Chair of the Board of Supervisors) submitted Referral 2026.10 (Attachment A) - Requesting review and recommended updates to Board Policy G-146 (Attachment B) related to ceremonial display of the Pride Flag to establish a consistent approach for recognizing Pride Month through flag display practices at County facilities and parks. The purpose of the referral is set forth below.
The referral seeks to reconcile direction contained in Resolution 22-113 (CR 21-150) (Attachment C) and Resolution CR25-095 (Attachment D) and informal practice, to establish a clear, consistent, and administratively workable Countywide expectation for implementation moving forward through updates to Board Policy G-146 (Flag Policy). The referral also seeks to modernize policy terminology by referencing the broader “Pride Flag,” recognizing that symbols associated with LGBTQ+ pride and inclusion continue to evolve over time.
Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) was assigned the referral, and staff began reviewing existing Flag Policy and practices related to ceremonial display of the Pride Flag (sometimes referred to as the Rainbow Flag).
Flag Policy:
Board Policy G-146 was adopted on August 13, 2024 (Board Resolution No. 24-284) for inclusion in the Board Policy Manual to guide departments in properly and respectfully displaying the flag of the United States and other flags.
Ceremonial display of the Pride Flag falls under section H of the County Flag Policy G-146 which states:
Flags other than the flags of the United States, the State of California, and the County of Monterey may be displayed when approved by the Board of Supervisors. If such approval is given by the Board of Supervisors, the Board shall specify where the other flag is to be displayed and for what period of time.
Pride Flag:
The Board of Supervisors (Board) of the County of Monterey (County) has adopted multiple resolutions directing staff to raise a flag during the month of June in recognition of Pride month (Board Resolution No. 21-150 adopted on June 8, 2021; Amendment to Board Resolution No. 21-150 adopted on June 1, 2022; Board Resolution No. 23-069 adopted on June 6, 2023; Board Resolution No. 24-170 adopted on June 11, 2024; Board Resolution No. 25-095 adopted on June 3, 2025).
Since June 2021, at the direction of the Board pursuant to Board Resolution No. 21-150, PWFP-Facilities has flown a Rainbow Flag during the month of June on the flagpole located at the downtown County Government Center at 168 W. Alisal Street, Salinas, in recognition of Pride Month. PWFP has also flown the Pride Flag during the month of June at multi-use County buildings located at 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey and at the Marina Coastal Offices located 2620 First Street, Marina. Additionally, PWFP-Parks has flown the Pride Flag at every County-managed park including the Lakes, Laguna Seca Recreation Area, and Lincoln Park.
In June of 2025, Board Resolution No. 25-095 directed that the Rainbow Flag will be raised at all County facilities’ flagpoles for the month of June 2025.
Current Procedures and Practice:
In practice, Pride Flag displays at County owned multi-use facilities are managed by the PWFP Facility Maintenance Division. Pride Flag displays at single use facilities are managed by individual Departments. Pride Flag displays at PWFP-Parks are managed by the PWFP-Parks Division. The above practices were implemented in accordance with section H of the County Flag Policy G-146.
Proposed Updates to Procedures and Practice:
The following items have been identified by Supervisor Root Askew and are proposed to be addressed through a Board Resolution and Policy update:
- Codifying the expectation that the Pride Flag be raised annually during the month of June at County multi-use facilities and County parks where flag poles are present and operational.
- Encouraging County departments with flag poles under their direct control to similarly participate in Pride Month recognition through ceremonial display of the Pride Flag.
- Establishing administrative guidance regarding duration of display, appropriate flag placement and etiquette consistent with protocols outlined in the existing Flag Policy, including guidance related to departmental coordination responsibilities.
- Providing operational flexibility regarding the specific Pride Flag design utilized, recognizing that Pride symbols continue to evolve while maintaining the intent of LGBTQ+ community recognition and inclusion.
- Clarifying that ceremonial display of the Pride Flag is intended to recognize and affirm LGBTQ+ community members, employees, families, and visitors within Monterey County.
Proposed Policy Update:
Staff will confer with County Departments including the Civil Rights Office, County Administrative Office, and the Office of the County Counsel to draft a proposed resolution and new policy language for a new subsection under Section II of Board Policy G-146, substantially similar to the following language suggested by Supervisor Root Askew:
The County of Monterey recognizes Pride Month during the month of June. During Pride Month, the Pride Flag shall be ceremonially displayed at County multi-use facilities and County Parks where operational flag poles are present, in accordance with applicable federal and state flag protocols and any administrative guidance established by the County. County departments with flag poles under their direct control are encouraged to participate in this annual recognition.
Estimated Project Cost:
The cost of administration, raising flags and purchasing flags is proposed to be the responsibility of individual Department budgets similar to current practice for the United States, State of California and County flag raising. The current price for purchasing new pride flags averages $65 per flag depending on size and quality.
Staffing Level Estimate:
PWFP staff will work with the Civil Rights Office, County Administrative Office and the Office of the County Counsel to update the existing Board Policy in accordance with Board Direction.
Departmental Challenges:
Staff have not identified any significant challenges.
Proposed Response Date:
By Fall 2026.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Board Referral supports the Strategic Goal of improving Well-Being and Quality of Life by recognizing and increasing awareness, acceptance and inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals.
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Florence Kabwasa-Green, Chief of Facilities
Reviewed by: Lindsay Lerable, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Referral 2026.10
Attachment B - Board Policy G-146 (Res 24-184)
Attachment C - Resolution 22-113
Attachment D - Resolution CR25-095