 Under California Law, the Board of Supervisors is empowered with both legislative and executive authority over the entirety of Monterey County and is the primary governing body for all unincorporated areas within the County boundaries.Monterey County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood, and served as the capital of Alta California under Spanish and Mexican rule.As of fiscal year 2011, the Board administered a county budget of nearly $385 million in current assets and $670 million in capital assets.