Measure G oversight committee elects chair, forms audit subcommittee and reviews midyear finances

The Measure G Oversight Committee of the City of Salinas elected Ginger Pierce as chair and Amy Salmina as vice chair, appointed a three-member subcommittee to review the independent 2024 external audit and reviewed an unaudited fiscal report for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2024.

The committee voted by voice to elect Pierce as chair and Salmina as vice chair. The committee then appointed a three-person subcommittee to review the external auditor's report and return findings and recommendations to the full committee and the City Council by May 30, 2025. Committee members said the subcommittee will work with city staff and will be provided the audit materials when they are ready.

Why it matters: Measure G is a dedicated local sales tax that currently provides a substantial portion of the city's operating and capital budgets. The oversight committee's role is to review expenditures, ensure money is being spent as described to voters and report to the council; the audit subcommittee is intended to provide the committee and the public an independent, technical review of expenditure and revenue activity.

Audit subcommittee and timeline The committee appointed Amy Salmina, Peter Zalai and Chair Ginger Pierce to the audit subcommittee; the motion carried on voice vote. Committee members and staff said the subcommittee is expected to review the external auditor's work papers and the auditor's breakout of Measure E and Measure G expenditures, and then…