Salinas oversight committee reviews Measure G finances, seeks clearer performance metrics ahead of renewal discussion

Assistant Finance Director A. Pedroza presented the Measure G fiscal-year 2025–26 financial report to the Measure G Oversight Committee on Sept. 30, saying the figures were unaudited and that the city is “right on pace” for early-year sales-tax receipts.

Measure G is a 1-cent general transaction and use tax approved by Salinas voters in February 2014. Pedroza told the committee it is projected to generate $34,500,000 in revenue for FY 2025–26 and currently supports 106.5 full‑time equivalent positions across public works, police, recreation, community development, fire, finance, information technology, human resources and administration. “Please note that the numbers are unaudited,” Pedroza said.

The presentation showed early-year revenue recognition at about 8 percent of the annual forecast — consistent with receiving one month of state remittances — and that, before transfers, Measure G spending was 19 percent of the budgeted amount as of Sept. 30. After accounting for non-departmental items and timing differences, overall Measure G spending for the city was reported at 11 percent of budget. Pedroza said some department variances reflect timing and encumbrances: fire was at 18 percent and public works at 16 percent; the recreation aquatic center appeared over budget because of an encumbrance for a contract to manage pool operations; administration showed 52 percent spent because an employee’s salary had been incorrectly charged to Measure G and is being…