DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2026
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
FROM: RENE MENDEZ, CITY MANAGER
LISA MURPHY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
PATRICIA M. SORATOS, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/
CITY CLERK
TITLE: MEASURE G TRACKING POLL RESULTS
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
No action required. Receive report from Probolsky Research regarding the Measure G Tracking Poll results.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff have discussed the importance of Measure G with the City Council on several occasions, particularly considering the challenge of reducing the City’s budget by $47 million. On January 16, 2026, staff presented a progress report to the Measure G Oversight Committee. Subsequently, on March 24, 2026, the City Council received a report evaluating the feasibility of the ballot measure, including results from a scientific survey of likely November 2026 voters. On June 2, 2026, the City Council approved placement of the Measure G renewal on the November 2026 ballot. Following the initial education and outreach efforts, Probolsky Research conducted a tracking poll, while staff continued these efforts through September 2026.
BACKGROUND:
In 2014, Salinas residents approved a one-cent transactions and use tax measure establishing the tax for a period of fifteen (15) years (“Measure G”). Measure G generates over $30 million in revenue per year. Since its inception, Measure G funding has provided for ongoing capital project needs and staffing, including 106.5 City staff positions within the City’s operating budget. The City continues to allocate Measure G funding to citywide operational and capital project needs while sustaining staffing levels and services. Measure G will expire in 2029. The City’s five-year budget forecast assumes a structural budget deficit as identified in the Salinas Plan and the sunset of Measure G in FY 2029. Sound fiscal management would warrant that the City begin moderating expenditures and avoid incurring new ongoing costs without generating new revenue. While such actions would be challenging, and likely affect services, a phased approach over the years would help mitigate financial impacts. Based on the current budget and assumptions for future growth, the City should expect positive net revenue through 2029. However, in FY 2030, there would be a drop in net revenue as a result of the expiration of Measure G. If Measure G is not renewed, the City will face a budget shortfall of approximately $47.8 million or (21%), thereby significantly impacting funding operations at current levels.
Initial poll conducted in February 2026, found that overall, 81% of those polled rate the quality of life in Salinas as good or fair. The community’s top concerns are maintaining streets and sidewalks, responding to homelessness, and planning for housing availability and affordability. Overall, the polling results demonstrate support from the community to renew Measure G.
A tracking poll conducted from August 31 through September 8, 2026, surveyed likely City of Salinas voters by telephone and online.
A total of 400 voters were surveyed (75 by telephone, 325 online). A survey of this size yields a margin of error of +/-5% with a confidence level of 95%. For the online phase, participants were invited to via email (38%) and text message (62%) to access the survey by computer, tablet, or smart phone. Phone participants were invited by landline (9%) and mobile (91%) calls.
Respondents selected either English (79%) or Spanish (21%) as their preferred language. Security measures prevented participants from completing the survey more than once and ensured that only the designated voter could respond. The sample was drawn from the voter file maintained by the Monterey County Registrar of Voters. Probolsky Research used stratified random sampling to align the demographic profile of respondents with that of likely voters in the City of Salinas.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This report meets all the City Council goals, City Services, Public Safety, Infrastructure, Youth and Senior, Housing, Economic Development, and Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resiliency as Measure G funds support services, projects and operations city-wide across all departments.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
City Administration coordinated with the Finance Department on this report in consultation with William Berry Campaigns and Probolsky Research.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no cost associated with this report. Cost associated with the consolidation of the 2026 General Municipal Election was presented to the city Council as part of the FY 2026-2028 Annual Operating budget.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Polling Results Presentation
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CITY OF SALINAS
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT