City Attorney Impartial Analysis
The City Council of the City of Salinas has placed this measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot to ask the voters to approve an ordinance that would renew, until ended by a majority of the voters of the city, an existing one percent (1.0%) transactions and use tax within the city of Salinas commonly referred to as “Measure G.” If renewed, the revenue generated from the tax measure would continue to be deposited into the City’s General Fund and, accordingly, all monies collected would be available for use by the City for any general governmental purpose, such as sidewalk repairs and other long-term infrastructure projects, parks, youth and senior programs, police, fire, and emergency response, homeless reduction, and other general city services. As such, this ballot measure would renew and continue a “general tax” and not a “special tax.” If this measure is approved by the voters, the tax would continue in effect until ended by a majority of the voters of the city.
The measure also provides for the continuation of annual audits and an independent oversight committee appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The oversight committee would continue to be comprised of City residents or representatives of businesses located in the city. The oversight committee would continue to review the annual audits and issue a public report to the City Council regarding the use of the revenue that the City receives from this tax.
A “YES” vote is a vote to renew an existing one cent transactions and use tax, until ended by a majority of the voters of the city, with annual audits, expenditure reports and oversight by an independent committee of Salinas residents and business representatives. A “NO” vote is a vote to not renew the existing one cent transaction and use tax, meaning the tax would expire in 2030.
The ballot measure would be approved if it receives a simple majority (over 50%) of “YES” votes.
Christopher A. Callihan
City Attorney