OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Business License
(831) 646-3944
revenue@monterey.gov
AP & Payroll Message Service
(831) 646-3942
Revenue
Accounts Receivable
Business Licenses
Dog Licenses
Transient Occupancy Tax
(831) 646-3944
revenue@monterey.gov
Risk Management Administration
General Liability
Damage to City Property
(831) 646-3948
Rafaela T. King, CPA, MBA
Finance Director
king@monterey.gov
Finance Department
735 Pacific Street, Suite A
Monterey, CA 93940
Fax: (831) 655-0562
fin_dept@monterey.gov
Welcome to your online guide to the Finance Department. Here's our latest Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, and the Preliminary Adopted Budget, starting July 1, 2024. Monterey City Council adopted the Budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 at the June 4, 2024 Council Meeting.
We are responsible for managing and executing all of the financial management functions for the City. Information includes the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, City fees and charges, budget data for the current year and prior years, and City ordinances pertaining to the Business License Tax, Visitor Accommodation Facilities Tax, including Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and Utility Users Tax.
If you are starting a business in Monterey, you can easily apply online or complete the fillable business license application form and return the form to the Revenue Office. A business license tax calculator is provided to compute the business license tax for you.
FINANCE ADMINISTRATION
The Finance Administration section is responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Finance Department divisions and specific programs briefly discussed below. This section is also responsible for the Purchasing function which includes ensuring compliance with formal bid requirements, processing of all City purchase orders, and the development and maintenance of purchasing polices and procedures published in the Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual. In addition, the Budget function falls under the purview of Finance Administration. This includes the coordination of the budget development process, budget control and compliance, developing and publishing of budget reports and documents, long range financial planning and forecasting.
Finance works closely with the City Manager for guidance in the coordination of the budget processes and development of budgetary policies and procedures.
ACCOUNTING
The programs included in this division are General Accounting, Accounts Payable and Payroll Administration.
The General Accounting functions involve the accounting for expenditures, revenues, and other transactions in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including the preparation of various financial reports and audits.
The Accounts Payable function ensures that all City bills and invoices are paid accurately and in a timely manner, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
The Payroll Administration function is responsible for the accurate and timely paying of salaries and other benefits to City employees as well as maintaining accurate records pertaining to payroll-related information.
REVENUE
The Revenue Division is responsible for the receipt and accounting of all monies received by the City. The treasury function involves the daily reconciliation of bank activity and investment of excess funds at reasonable rates while ensuring that funds are available as needed. Business License Administration also falls under the Revenue Division. This entails the enforcement of the business license ordinance on all businesses doing business within the City of Monterey, maintaining accurate records, and annually coordinating the license renewal process.
Monterey businesses with minimum rent are required to complete a quarterly percentage report. Mail report along with remittance to the Revenue office.
Dog licenses are processed by the Revenue office. Download a dog license application in fillable Adobe PDF format. See dog fee schedule for correct amount. Complete a separate dog license applications for each dog.
The Revenue Audit program encompasses both field and mail audits for purposes of verifying business license tax collections, transient occupancy tax, and rental revenue collections. This also involves performing monthly reconciliation with the Accounting Division to verify that all funds are properly debited and credited and that all bank balances are accurate.