Salinas Measure E oversight panel reviews FY2025–26 Q1 finances, discusses library hours and CIP allocations

The Salinas Measure E Oversight Committee on Oct. 16 received an unaudited first-quarter financial report showing projected Measure E revenue of $17.2 million for fiscal year 2025–26, a $10.3 million capital-improvement program (CIP) budget and specific project allocations, and discussed restoring longer library hours.

Assistant Finance Director Abe Pedrosa presented the report and emphasized that the figures were unaudited: "Please note that the numbers are unaudited," he said. Pedrosa told the committee Measure E currently funds 90.5 full‑time positions across police, fire, recreation and the library and supports operating costs such as fleet maintenance, debt service for the El Gabilan Library and emergency‑service contracts.

The presentation showed $17.2 million in projected Measure E revenue for the year and that the city has recorded roughly 8% of the transaction‑use tax revenue so far — consistent with the 1‑of‑12 benchmark used for monthly comparisons because July receipts are the only month posted at this time. Pedrosa said the city had no recorded investment earnings for the quarter "due to the timing of when allocations are recorded and posted to the city's general ledger." He reported that, before transfers, Measure E expenditures were at about 20% of budgeted operating amounts as of Sept. 30 and that overall Measure E spending (after non‑departmental effects) was at about 13%.

On capital spending, Pedrosa said CIP reimbursements and allocation work remain incomplete because of the fiscal‑year close and accounts‑payable accrual process, so the city had no completed first‑quarter capital project expenditure figures to report; updated CIP spending figures will be presented at the committee's next meeting in January. The FY2025–26 CIP budget shown to the committee totaled $10.3 million; Pedrosa said $1.0 million of that was newly appropriated in the adopted FY2025–26 budget and $9.3 million was carryover from prior years.

Committee members pressed for line‑item clarity and project specifics. Committee member Ish asked whether the category labeled "city facility improvements" included City Hall; Pedrosa replied he believed City Hall was included but offered to provide a specific breakdown. Pedrosa gave project line items and Measure E shares during the discussion, identifying the following Measure E allocations (amounts shown are the Measure E portion cited in the meeting): tennis court improvements $112,691 (carryover); District 5 Recreation Center $6.9 million; El Gabilan Library $72,283; Monterey Garage improvements $100,000; fire station repairs $350,000; restroom replacements at city parks $40,000; striping and signing improvements $313,006.62; cluster park improvements $137,005.55; EV charging infrastructure $200,000; Steinbeck Library upgrades $73,007.07; Cesar Chavez Park dry‑basin repair $100,000; and city facility improvements $250,000. Pedrosa noted some projects are funded by other sources, with the figures shown representing Measure E's portion.

A committee member raised the history and purpose of Measure E, observing that the ballot measure's campaign emphasized library funding. City Manager Renee Mendez explained that Measure E is a general‑purpose transaction‑use tax (renewed from Measure V) and that while library funding featured in outreach, treating the tax as exclusively for libraries would have made it a special tax requiring a two‑thirds threshold; as a general tax it passed with a simple majority.

Library officials discussed operating hours. Kristen Lundquist, library and community services director, said the library system has a community survey under way to inform future hours and that the department "intends to look at expanding hours" but must use community input to set hours and follow internal processes before making changes. Committee members said they hoped to ultimately restore hours closer to pre‑COVID levels.

Pedrosa also explained timing for transfers out to internal service funds (scheduled in December and June), and said the fire department's spending appeared ahead of pace because the city paid CalPERS' unfunded liability upfront in July. He told the committee CIP spending figures would be updated at the January meeting covering the first six months of the fiscal year.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved two consent items — the FY2026 Measure E Oversight Committee meeting calendar and the minutes of the July 24, 2025 meeting — by roll call. Committee members Alvarado, Agamal, Fragozo, Ish and Chair Hobby voted yes; the motion passed.

Committee members thanked staff for the report and asked staff to provide the requested line‑item details on the city‑facility allocation before the next meeting. The committee's next meeting was set for mid‑January, when staff will present updated CIP spending through Dec. 31, 2025.