Salinas oversight committees review Measure E and G finances as public presses for hiring and spending transparency

Salinas staff presented quarter-three, unaudited financial reports for Measure E and Measure G on April 16, telling the joint oversight committees the measures are generating revenue near budgeted expectations while prompting public calls for greater transparency about staffing and capital spending.

Assistant Finance Director Abe Pedroza said Measure E is projected to generate about $7.2 million in sales tax for fiscal year 2025–26, with a total Measure E revenue budget of $18.5 million (which includes investment earnings). "We are showing 63% received for the transaction and use tax revenue and 62% overall," Pedroza said, noting the benchmark for seven of 12 months is 58% and February revenues were expected soon. Pedroza told the committee Measure E currently funds about 90.5 positions and that some salary savings reflected vacancies.

The report for Measure G projected $34.5 million in sales tax for FY25‑26 and a total Measure G revenue budget of $36.1 million. Pedroza said Measure G funds 106.5 positions, had received about 63% of expected transaction and use tax revenue through the same reporting period, and that Measure G represents roughly 38% of the…