A barista at East Village Cafe in downtown Monterey greets incumbent mayor Tyller Williamson as he enters. The popular official served on the City Council before becoming mayor in 2022.
His time coincides with the city’s growing budget deficit, now nearly $12 million. Williamson says when the city was flush with money, ideas for spending it were abundant.
"We really didn't make sure that we set enough funding aside," said Williamson.
Since 2020, he says Monterey has built up reserves. But, there have also been cuts. Williamson said no one's to blame for the deficit, but his challenger Vince Malfitano disagrees.
Malfitano's website says Monterey’s debt is "the result of failures in leadership.”
Malfitano didn’t respond to KAZU’s calls, emails, or texts for comment. But a supporter, longtime Monterey resident and restaurateur Glenn Hammer, did.
"I think it's ridiculous that we are in financial stress," said Hammer, who added he met Malfitano when the candidate knocked on his door and after another meeting decided to endorse him.
Public records show Malfitano carries some legal baggage. In addition to old allegations of sexual misconduct and improper business practices, Monterey County Now reports he recently settled a restraining order request out-of-court.
