Measure E
Measure E is a ½ cent transactions and use tax for General services. The tax was effective April 1, 2006 and will not expire. As part of the ordinance, the Measure E Oversight Committee (Measure E Committee) was formed to make recommendations to the City Council and provide oversight on how the funds were used.
Measure E FY 2019-20 Budget
Measure E Meeting Agendas and Reports
All Measure E meetings agendas and reports are available on the Agendas, Minutes, and Reports page.
Measure E History and Accomplishments
Voter Approval of Measure E
Beginning in April 2003 through July 2005, the City reduced the General Fund Budget by a total of $15.3 million or 24%, including the elimination of 123.25 positions and closing all three libraries. On July 12, 2005 the City Council declared a state of fiscal emergency and adopted a resolution placing Measure V on the November 8, 2005 ballot. Because no members of the Council were running for election on November 8, the Council could only constitutionally seek voter approval of a general tax at that election if it unanimously found that an emergency existed.
The City Council, City Manager and Finance Director made numerous budget presentations to the local media, business and community leaders, service clubs, and other organizations. Flyers were distributed to the public to inform them of the fiscal condition. City employees, on their personal time, went door to door discussing the Measure V initiative.
On November 8, 2005, Salinas’ voters approved Measure V, a ½ cent transactions and use tax for General Fund services. The additional tax imposed effective April 1, 2006 was first distributed to the City in June 2006 by the State Board of Equalization. The tax was to end on March 31, 2016 upon the ten (10) year sunset. However, the measure was extended indefinately, with no sunset, and became Measure E.
Measure E Committee and Public Priority Setting
It was anticipated that the tax (about $10,000,000 annually) would restore some of the $15,000,000 in General Fund services cut in the prior three fiscal years (FY 2003-04, 2004-05 & 2005-06), inclusive of closing all three libraries. Although final City budget decisions are the responsibility of the City Council, the Ordinance provides for the appointment of a Measure V Committee to provide oversight of the use of funds and to make recommendations to City Council on the use of funds. The tax ($10 million) was not sufficient to restore all services previously eliminated ($15 million), therefore, a deliberative, collaborative, and community oriented process was undertaken to make decisions on services to be funded with Measure E.
Measure E Accomplishments
Library
The Salinas Public Library is only funded by Measure E. Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, City libraries received and used 41.4% of all available Measure E funds for operations and 23.2% of all available one-time Measure E funds for capital. This funding has allowed for the three libraries to be open seven days per week since fall 2008, provide Bookmobile services, literacy staff and programs, computers, software upgrades, and internet and technology resources equipment. Additionally, $1.2 million of Measure E funds, along with $1.3 million of library development fees are budgeted for the expansion of Cesar Chavez Library and $529,300 is set-aside to cover any cash shortfalls from pledges that may occur to ensure completion of the project.
Police
Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, the Police Department received and used 25.2% of all available Measure E funds for operations and 13.1% of all available one-time Measure E Funds for capital. The allocations for personnel are currently funding all the Salinas Police Department (SPD) employees assigned to the Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force (GTF). This includes four police officers, one sergeant and one commander. These positions were previously funded with federal funds. With the startup of the Law Enforcement Operations Center (LEOC) in the last several months, the role of GTF becomes even more essential as one part of the overall violence reduction strategies in the City. With multiple teams of deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a multitude of federal law enforcement partners, the ability to target and address the most violent criminals in the City and region is enhanced to a degree far beyond what just the team of GTF officers and deputies could accomplish. Other personnel enhancements realized with Measure E funding includes or has included five police officers, an animal control officer, records clerks and thirteen civilian positions, including community service officers. These positions have allowed the Police Department to maintain a basic level of service and without funding there would have to be additional critical cuts in service. The monies allocated for the LEOC have been partially expended in primarily start up equipment costs for the location. Phones, computers and furniture have been installed and are currently being used. In previous years (starting in FY 06-07 and through FY 09-10) capital outlays in equipment included equipment and uniforms for recruit officers, 7 police patrol vehicles, a state of the art crime scene investigation vehicle, 2 animal control trucks and 4 portable security cameras. Other than for the LEOC start up equipment, there have been no Police related capital outlays from Measure E funds in the last two fiscal years.
Recreation
Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, the Recreation Department received and used 10% of all available Measure E funds for operations. These moneys initially funded four Recreation Coordinators for sports, six recreation centers, and one Neighborhood Services Coordinator. Currently, one Recreation Coordinator is funded by Measure E.
Park Maintenance – Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, the Park Maintenance Department received and used 8.3% of all available Measure E funds for operations and 2.9% of all available one-time Measure E funds for capital. These moneys have funded graffiti abatement and 10 maintenance positions including Urban Forestry Workers and Park Maintenance Workers. Capital expenditures include park light replacement, a power turf mower and 5 pick-up trucks.
Fire
Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, the Fire Department received and used 6.5% of all available Measure E funds for operations and 5.9% of all available Measure E funds for capital. These moneys have funded a Fire Marshall services and the Paramedic program. Capital expenditures include 2 Fire Mobile Command Vehicles and a Wild Land Engine/Rescue Unit.
Code Enforcement
Over the six years since the inception of Measure E, Code Enforcement received and used 3% of all available Measure E funds for operations. These moneys have funded 3 Code Enforcement Officer positions.
Support departments that have received and used 1.5% or less of available Measure E funds for operations for a portion of the six years are:
- Finance – 2.5 positions including a half time Web Master
- City Attorney – 1.5 positions
- Human Resources – 1 position
- Risk Management – Liability insurance premium related to Measure E funded public safety activities
- Traffic Engineering – 1 position
Other initiatives funded by one-time Measure E funds are:
- Community Safety for at risk youth – 5.7% of available one-time Measure E funds
- Economic Development – 3.2% of available one-time Measure E funds
- Street & Sidewalk repairs – 43.9% of available one-time Measure E funds
Although Measure E is a General tax, Measure E is maintained in a separate fund and reported separately in the City’s annual audited financial statements.
