Salinas Measure E committee accepts Q2 financial report, votes to meet monthly

The Measure E Oversight Committee on Feb. 6, 2025, accepted its quarter‑2 financial report and voted to change its meeting schedule from quarterly to monthly ("monthly or as needed"). Committee members and staff discussed allocations under Measure E, the limited activity on capital projects so far in the fiscal year and the process for recommending budget transfers.

The committee heard a public commenter who said Measure E proceeds were not being spent as voters intended, saying, "In tonight's quarter 2 financial report, here's how Measure E's $18,000,000 is actually spent: About 40% on libraries, 28% on parks and recreation, 24% on police, 6% on administrative or miscellaneous costs and 2% on streets and sidewalks." The commenter said a city engineer told a District 5 community meeting that "no residential streets would be fixed in the next 5 years," and urged the committee to ensure Measure E funds match voter intent.

Abe Pedroza, acting assistant finance director, presented the report and cautioned that "these numbers are unaudited." Pedroza said Measure E revenue through the first five months of the fiscal year was running just under seasonal pace (41% received through five months versus a five‑month benchmark of 42%), and that December revenues—received after the reporting cutoff—typically boost collections.

Pedroza outlined the fund's position as of Dec. 31, 2024: the Measure E capital improvement program (CIP) includes eight projects totaling $2,900,000; the fund began the year with about $19,900,000 in cash and was at about $20,700,000 at the report date; approximately $2,900,000 was earmarked for capital projects and roughly $10,400,000 was set aside in reserves. He said overall city spending from Measure E was at about 49% of the annual budgeted amount through the first half of the fiscal year.

Finance Director Selena Andrews clarified committee authority on transfers and the scope of Measure E funds. Asked how the committee could recommend transfers to prioritize streets, Andrews said the avenue for such recommendations is through each member's city council representative: "That would be through your council member." She also stated, when asked whether "public safety" includes fire services, "No, it does not. It's just police."

Committee members pressed staff about the lack of CIP activity year‑to‑date and were told projects generally show progress once staff work and contracts begin. Kristen Lundquist, library and community services director, said the cluster park revitalization contract had been awarded and renovation work was expected to begin within weeks: "...we're anticipating beginning that renovation of that park likely next month. So you'll start to see that move."

During committee discussion the group debated meeting frequency and involvement in the budget cycle. Chair Mora moved to amend the committee calendar to meet monthly or as needed; the motion passed on a roll call vote (Agamal: aye; Hobby: aye; Valenzuela: yes; Chair Mora: yes; Ish: absent). The committee also approved minutes from the July 18, 2024 meeting in a separate roll call vote (Grama: yes; Hobby: yes; Valenzuela: yes; Chair Mora: yes).

There was no formal recorded vote on accepting the financial report; the committee chair noted "there's no action required," and the report was accepted as presented. Members asked staff to provide more detail on specific CIP schedules and to consider ways to communicate Measure E spending to the public ahead of any future ballot measures.

The committee asked staff to send updated meeting notices after the calendar change; the next meeting date will be emailed to members. With no further comments, Chair Mora adjourned the meeting.