Salinas Measure E committee accepts quarter‑2 financial report, votes to meet monthly

The Measure E Oversight Committee for the City of Salinas accepted its quarter‑2 financial report for fiscal year 2024–25 and voted Feb. 6 to meet monthly (or “monthly as needed”) instead of quarterly.

The report, presented by Acting Assistant Finance Director Abe Pedroza, showed Measure E revenues and spending roughly on pace through Dec. 31, 2024, while capital project activity remained limited. A member of the public urged the committee to prioritize street repairs and improve public education about how Measure E funds are spent.

Why it matters: Measure E is a local special tax measure intended to fund public safety, libraries, parks and recreation, and streets and sidewalks. Committee members said clearer public outreach and more frequent meetings will help the panel review budget recommendations ahead of the city’s budget process.

A public commenter during the meeting said oversight committees must meet reliably and urged officials to ensure Measure E expenditures match voters’ intent. “It is not acceptable for oversight committees not to meet as scheduled,” the commenter said, and warned that without visible road repairs “Adams Street … in 5 years it will literally be dirt.” The commenter also summarized the materials provided at the meeting, saying Measure E’s $18,000,000 is allocated roughly: about 40% to libraries, 28% to parks and recreation, 24% to police, 6% to administrative or miscellaneous costs, and 2% to streets and sidewalks.

Presentation…