The Salinas City Council adopted three resolutions Dec. 9 to set rental-registry and rent-stabilization program fees for 2026 and to appropriate $1,128,821 for program operations. Staff said 2025 fees produced a surplus and recommended a fee reduction of roughly 35%: the rental-registry fee would drop to $29 per unit and the rent-program fee to $112, both effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Lisa (staff) presented projected program costs and said the recommended staffing for 2026 includes roughly three full-time-equivalent positions (a planning manager 0.2 FTE, a 0.75 FTE community development analyst, an administrative analyst and an administrative aide); staff said no reduction in services is planned despite the lower fees and that a 25% reserve is included to protect against lower-than-forecast compliance. "We are moving forward with implementing full force," the city manager said.

Public commenters and tenant-advocacy groups warned the fee cut could jeopardize staffing and enforcement; landlords said enforcement and registration remain difficult. Council approved the three resolutions on a consolidated vote; Councilmember Sandoval voted No. Council directed staff to return in January with a compliance and enforcement strategy and to move to fill the vacant analyst position.