Title
Adopt the 2025-26 County of Monterey Facilities Master Plan.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt the 2025-26 County of Monterey Facilities Master Plan.
SUMMARY
Following final review and direction from the Board of Supervisors (Board) on August 18, 2026, M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates (Gensler) has prepared the final Facilities Master Plan (FMP) for adoption. Today’s board action formalizes incorporation of Board direction into the document.
Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) led development of the FMP which incorporates County staff feedback. department head input, steering committee review and extensive Board feedback. The adopted FMP will provide the County with guidance on future capital infrastructure investment and development priorities.
DISCUSSION
Background
The County last completed an FMP in 2001. County population growth and a trend of increased government staffing and services require a review of current space allocations and locations to align County facilities with resident needs. Nearly 80% of the County’s facilities are over 30 years old and 37% are over 50 years old. Many require significant investment to address end of life systems replacement and deferred maintenance. It is critical that the County identify facility priorities for investment and development over the next 20+ years. As noted in the FMP, “the focus of the FMP is to make recommendations that prioritize department needs and make the most effective and economic use of County owned and leased facilities and land for the next two decades.”
The FMP is identified in the County’s Strategic Plan as a key part of future planning decisions. It is intended to be one of several guides and reference tools, along with the Capital Improvement Program 5-Year Plan, and Board Strategic Goals, for staff to reference when developing capital project recommendations, and for the Board to reference when making significant capital project financing and approval decisions.
Project Scope and Procurement
In July 2024, PWFP received funding to prepare a new FMP. PWFP contracted with Gensler due to its extensive experience preparing FMPs for California Counties, including Napa, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and more.
The FMP covers major campuses throughout the County, including in Salinas, the Peninsula, North and South County, and focuses on utilization of general office space and public interfaces within these areas. In total, 65 sites are included covering over 1,600,000 square feet of building space.
The Natividad Medical Center campus and County Parks are the subjects of separate, specialized master planning efforts. The FMP team collaborated with these other efforts when locations or interests overlapped. Other specialized facilities such as libraries and jails will require separate analysis. The FMP recommendations also address the following referrals:
- 2023.13 - Laurel Yard Master Plan: Retain existing maintenance yard and support operations (as directed by the Board on 8-18-2026)
- 2024.12 - 1220 Natividad Road Alternative Uses: Provided estimated revenue generation from 5-10 year commercial use in FMP Appendix D.
- 2024.18 - 970 Circle Dr. Alternative Uses: Noted limited demand for market-rate sale/use, extensive cost to replace Youth Center and repurpose. May be considered for farmworker housing if Youth Center is moved.
Data Collection and FMP Development
The FMP development process was led by Gensler as the subject matter expert, with project oversight by PWFP and involvement throughout the process from department heads, County employees, the County FMP Steering Committee, County Administrative Office (CAO) and PWFP staff.
Gensler conducted extensive department surveys to identify how existing space was impacting County staff experience. Department heads were interviewed and surveyed to gather projected space and services needs over the next 20 years. Gensler also conducted in-person tours of facilities across the County. Steering Committee meetings were held with representatives from CAO, Information Technology, Human Resources, PWFP and Housing and Community Development. Gensler also conducted interviews with individual members of the Board of Supervisors.
Findings and County Feedback
The Gensler team analyzed this information and other data provided by the County and identified 8 Key Findings which inform solutions development:
1. Growth is expected, particularly in Health, Social Services, Public Safety and Justice functions.
2. Current space utilization aligns with typical government benchmarks but could be more efficient.
3. Many departments are leveraging telework but are not yet fully aligned on seat sharing.
4. Most operational and service adjacencies are met, but opportunities exist for improved workflow and privacy.
5. County facilities are aging, and some require substantial repairs, replacements, or seismic retrofitting.
6. Employee experience can be improved with more privacy, wellness support, parking, and a consistent workspace.
7. Service gaps remain in South and North County; several departments are interested in expanding their presence.
8. To support housing development, potential properties were identified for highest and best use analysis.
Gensler’s findings and development options were provided to County departments, the Steering Committee, and Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) for review and comment. The draft FMP along with feedback and CIC recommendations were presented to the Board at a workshop on January 13, 2026. Following the workshop, Gensler and PWFP staff solicited additional comments from departments and held individual listening sessions with District Supervisors. The Steering Committee was provided the opportunity to review and comment on the resulting final draft. On August 18, 2026, the Board provided final direction on FMP priorities and options, which are reflected in this final plan (Board Order 26-691). Today’s board action adopts the final FMP, formalizing incorporation of Board direction into the document.
As a next step, PWFP will add placeholder projects for each FMP infrastructure recommendation into the Capital Improvement Program 5-Year Plan to track implementation progress and the magnitude of funding needed to complete the plan. Key FMP actions have been combined into a Recommendations Matrix (Attachment A - Appendix F) for reference in capital and maintenance projects.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
PWFP engaged County departments throughout the development process to collect information on staffing and service needs. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives from the County Administrative Office (CAO), Information Technology Department (ITD), Human Resources Department (HRD), PWFP and Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided feedback on Key Findings and options development. County Supervisors were interviewed by Gensler to review their office space needs and any Supervisorial District considerations. FMP options were presented to the CIC on October 17, 2025, and November 5, 2025.
FINANCING:
The FMP project was funded in the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Capital Improvement Plan. This project is budgeted in the Capital Projects, Fund 1930 and expenditures are reimbursed from Fund 2205, Building Improvement and Replacement as they are incurred.
Total projected 20-year occupancy cost for existing facilities studied in the FMP is $865 million, including $524 million in operating costs, $225 million in capital expenditures and $116 million in existing debt service and interest reimbursements.
The “Final Option” financial analysis in FMP Appendix A looks at the potential cost to implement all recommended acquisitions, dispositions and capital improvements. The projected 20-year occupancy cost is $1.417 billion, including $564 million in operating costs and $853 million in capital expenditure and debt service costs. Additional financial analysis by the CAO will need to be prepared as specific projects are considered for implementation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This recommendation and the Facilities Master Plan process advances the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals by supporting the use of a facilities master plan assessment, identifying the most urgent capital needs, including development of project scope and feasible funding strategies for tenant improvements to modernize spaces and efficiently provide public services countywide, by identifying infrastructure needs for County programs, by reviewing the feasibility of relocating certain departments, and recognizing the potential for future phases of this Facilities Master Plan and assessment process.
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
X Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
___ Diverse and Thriving Economy
___ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: John Snively, Administrative Operations Manager, 831-759-6617
Reviewed by: Florence Kabwasa-Green, Chief of Facilities
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 - 2025-26 Facilities Master Plan