LIVE COVERAGE Finance Committee Meeting of September 1, 2026

The Salinas Finance Committee held a meeting on September 1, 2026, where key procurement-related updates were discussed, including the 2027 CalPERS health insurance premium rates. The committee was informed that health premium increases for most plans are significantly lower than previous years, with the Platinum PPO plan increasing by 6.5% and the PORAC plan by 3.01%. However, the Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO plan will increase by 11.24% and is set to exit Monterey County in 2027, affecting 26 employees who will be transitioned to alternative plans. Additionally, the committee received an update on the city's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including tools like Siteimprove, Microsoft Copilot, ZenCity, and the CityBot chatbot. These AI initiatives aim to improve operational efficiencies, community engagement, and web content management. The discussion highlighted the importance of staff training and ongoing evaluation of these technologies. No motions or votes were taken regarding procurement, but the updates provide insight into upcoming vendor transitions and technology investments.