County of Monterey Government Center Reopening — Postponed — Finalizing Routine Environmental and Safety Checks

Last Updated: 09/17/2026

County of Monterey Government Center Reopening - Postponed - Finalizing Routine Environmental and Safety Checks

Thorough comprehensive building testing nearing completion following plumbing and fire suppression maintenance; essential services continue uninterrupted at temporary locations.

SALINAS, CA - September 16, 2026 - The County of Monterey Administrative Office, in coordination with the Board of Supervisors and the County's Facilities Division, has announced that the reopening of the Government Center at 168 W. Alisal Streetis tentatively set for early to mid-week, the week of September 21, 2026.

Contractors and environmental consultants have made excellent progress restoring the building following a recent sewer line malfunction. During the final stages of this work, crews identified a standard maintenance item in the building's fire sprinkler system that requires important repairs and testing. To ensure a seamless, fully operational, and comfortable environment for both the public and staff, leadership has opted to adjust the reopening date to the middle of next week so all systems can be certified completely ready for regular business.

Every measure is being taken to verify that the building is fully prepared to welcome back employees and residents.

Impacted Departments & Services

The temporary closure applies to the following offices located at the 168 W. Alisal Street building:

• Treasurer/Tax Collector
• Assessor/Clerk/Recorder
• Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
• Board Chambers

Smooth Continuity of Services

Public services remain fully active. All essential government functions continue to operate smoothly through established temporary satellite locations and remote systems. Residents who need to interact with the impacted departments are encouraged to visit these satellite sites or utilize convenient online options. Please see the accompanying graphics on our official channels for the full list of department satellite locations and addresses.

Expressing Gratitude to Staff and Residents

"We want to share our sincere appreciation for the flexibility of our team members and the continued patience of our residents," noted County administration. "Our focus is on delivering a safe, refreshed, and entirely operational workspace. Taking these few extra days guarantees that every system is working perfectly when we reopen our doors early to mid-next week."

Operational updates and specific department locations will continue to be shared directly with staff and posted online via the County of Monterey Portal.

Media Contact

Nick Pasculli County of Monterey Communications Director & Chief Public Information Officer

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9/16/26

Government Center services will continue with the following temporary service arrangements remaining in place:

• Visitors seeking Treasurer-Tax Collector services should follow the posted signage at the Government Center for current service location information.
• Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office will have staff available in Conference Room E-118, next to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's office, in the East Wing at 142 W. Alisal Street, first floor.
• Public Defender's Office staff will continue assisting the public by phone at 831-755-5058 and in person at the Law Library located at 142 West Alisal Street, Suite E-107. Staff will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Auditor-Controller's Office is working remotely, with limited in-person Accounts Payable and Payroll services available at the County's Information Technology Department at 1590 Moffett Street.
• District 1 Supervisor's Office is working remotely.
• District 2 Supervisor's Office is working from its Castroville office.
• District 3 Supervisor's Office is working from its King City office.

Additional updates on the status of the Government Center will be provided as information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work toward safely reopening the Government Center.

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9/14 - Temporary Government Services Location Update:

As clean up and remediation work related to an extensive sewer line malfunction continues, the County of Monterey Government Center, located at 168 W. Alisal Street in Salinas, will remain closed through Tuesday, September 15.

Government Center services will continue with the temporary service arrangements remaining in place:

• Visitors seeking Treasurer-Tax Collector services should follow the posted signage at the Government Center for current service location information.
• Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office will have staff available in Conference Room E-118, next to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's office, in the East Wing at 142 W. Alisal Street, first floor.
• Public Defender's Office staff will continue assisting the public by phone at 831-755-5058 and in person at the Law Library located at 142 WEST Alisal Street, Suite E-107. Staff will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Auditor-Controller's Office is working remotely, with limited in-person Accounts Payable and Payroll services available at the County's Information Technology Department at 1590 Moffett Street.
• District 1 Supervisor's Office is working remotely.
• District 2 Supervisor's Office is working from its Castroville office.
• District 3 Supervisor's Office is working from its King City office.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work toward safely reopening the Government Center.

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Temporary Government Services Location Update:

• The Treasurer-Tax Collector will have a team in the West Wing at 142 WEST Alisal Street within the District Attorney's office; enter through the main lobby, first floor.
• The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and the Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office will have a team in Conference Room E-118 next to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's office in the East Wing at 142 WEST Alisal, first floor.
• The Public Defender's Office is working remotely and is managing its client base in that manner.
• Supervisors D1 are working remotely
• Supervisors D2 are working out of the Castroville office
• Supervisors D3 are working out of the King City office

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9/4/2026

Salinas, CA - The County of Monterey Government Center, located at 168 W. Alisal Street in Salinas, will remain closed to the public and general staff through the end of this week as cleanup and remediation efforts continue following an extensive sewer line malfunction.

The extended closure is necessary to allow County Facilities personnel and contractors adequate time to complete proper cleanup and remediation work and to ensure the safety and security of County employees and members of the public before the building is reopened.

The offices most significantly impacted by the closure include:

• Assessor, Clerk-Recorder's Office
• Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office
• Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office
• Public Defender's Office
• Supervisor District 2 Office

At this time, County officials are actively working to establish satellite service locations for the most impacted public-facing offices. The County's goal is to provide services to the public as efficiently and seamlessly as possible while remediation work continues at the Government Center.

Other County departments (including the Auditor Controller, County Counsel, Human Resources, and the County Administrative Office) housed in the Government Center will have employees working remotely to maintain continuity of County government operations and services. The Supervisors of District 3 and District 5 are working from their community-based offices, in King City and Monterey, respectively.

County Facilities teams and contractors continue to work diligently to address the impacts of the sewer line malfunction. County officials are closely monitoring the cleanup and remediation process and will provide additional updates regarding satellite service locations and the anticipated reopening of the Government Center as information becomes available.

The County of Monterey appreciates the patience and understanding of employees and the public as this important work is completed.

County of Monterey Government Center
168 W. Alisal Street
Salinas, California

Media Contact: Nick Pasculli, Chief Communications Officer