When Monterey Marina was first developed by the City of Monterey, loans were acquired from the State Department of Boating and Waterways. In securing these State loans, the loan contract agreements contained a couple of important provisions. First, the Marina must be viewed as a resource for all citizens of California on an equal basis. It is for this reason that the City cannot, for example, provide berths only to city residents. Another important provision is that Marina berthing rates be raised each year by the published increase in the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco / San Jose Bay Area. The period of time that was chosen for the Marina to review rates was March of each year. Therefore, to comply with this provision, rates are typically adjusted each July 1. A final important provision, which has been beneficial to Marina boaters, required the City to designate a physical boundary for the Marina project and create a Marina enterprise fund for all economic activities within this area. The boundary that was set includes a large amount of parking between Del Monte Avenue and the marina, approximately one-half of Municipal Wharf II which includes metered parking income and various concessionaires, and all berthing related fees generated by the Marina itself.

Because the City of Monterey (and our waterfront in particular) has such a healthy tourist-based economy, transient berthing, parking, and concession income, generated mostly by visitors, has ended up being a substantial source of revenue to the Marina Fund. In effect, it is these visitors who help keep berthing rates low. Income which is generated from the enterprise zone must only be spent within the enterprise zone, and cannot be used for other City General Fund projects.

The chart below outlines the Marina Fund's actual revenue sources for fiscal year 2006-2007, which ended June 30, 2007.