Monterey County considering sewer rebates for Pajaro non-residential businesses

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV) -- People in Pajaro say they're still recovering from storm damage.
The County of Monterey is looking to provide relief for non-residential businesses by covering their sewer rates.

It has been over two years since the levee breach. Some people I spoke with were vocal about their distrust in the county after they said they had not received much help in the last two years.

“We are still taking it step by step because I have already spent all my savings. And right now business is completely slow," said María Elena Martínez, a business owner in Pajaro

Maria Elena still has pictures of how her business looked after the levee breach in March of 2023.

Although her business shows no signs of major damage now, Maria is still paying for the losses her store suffered.

For over 10 days — no sanitary sewer service was provided because of the flooding, according to the county.

The county was able to provide refunds — and is now looking to provide a bit more relief.
Relief is what Alejandra says a lot of her customers in Pajaro are searching for.

“Here clients say they haven't received much help from the county. They are waiting to see what happens," said Alejandra who works in Pajaro.

The county of Monterey may soon provide funding for a 50-percent rebate for non-residential businesses that are still recovering from the floods for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

According to the county, this would help 58 people and would cost just over 217-thousand dollars.
The money would be taken out through a general fund.

However, people like Maria Elena are still skeptical.

“If they will help us or not, we're going to be the same as we've always been," said Maria.

The county may adopt this resolution in its meeting on March 18th.