FISCAL STABILITY
Goal Timeline Departments
Fiscal Stability Plan - provide a plan to the
Budget Subcommittee for feedback and
council direction 3 Months Fin, CM
Complete CFD update for new service area
annexations 6 Months Fin, Dev Svcs, CM
Review fees for services, including application
fees 6 Months Dev Svcs, Fin, CM, MPD, MFD
Identify options for cost recovery or
recovering lost revenue - Business License,
TOT audits Year Fin, MPD, MFD
Consider options to add new revenue sources -
cost recovery strategies Year Fin, CM, CA
Review and implement city utility rate studies Year Fin, PW, CM Identify options for one-time revenue gains -
property and surplus equipment Year All Depts
PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal Timeline Departments
Identify site and financing options for Police
and Fire facilities, apparatus, and equipment 3 Months MFD, MPD, CM Explore contract services with PBID for
Downtown Merced services 6 Months MPD, CM
Expand contract services with the school
district for school resource officers 6 Months MPD, CM
Plan and create a strategy for services post-
expiration of the FEMA - SAFER Grant Year MFD, CM, Fin
FISCAL 2025/2025 CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Ensure the City’s long term financial health to maintain services and ongoing operations
Strengthen community safety through responsive emergency services, integrated community policing, fire and building safety, and active engagement.
Completion of the Hawk – Regional Training
Center Year MFD, Eng
Maintain ALS Services Rollout – one squad per
year Year MFD
Proactive Community Policing to reduce crime
and improve the quality of life Year MPD
Community Relations – continue community
outreach programs and employee recognition Year MPD, FDP Emergency Management – continue internal
training and partner agency cooperation for
preparedness Year FDP, MPD, PW, CM
FUTURE PLANNING
Goal Timeline Departments
Complete Housing Element and SB 244
Analysis Three Months Plnng, CA, CM
Seek State “Pro Housing” designation Six Months Plnng, CM Amend zoning and municipal code to support
housing/business investment Year Dev Svcs, CA, CM
Process annexation and development
applications Year Dev Svcs, CA, CM
Consider county island annexations Year Dev Svcs, CA, CM Coordinate advocacy efforts with community
partners on the HSR project Year
Update AB 1600 due to new annexations Year Plnng, Eng, CM, CA Continue General Plan Update – HSR Station
Area Plan Two Years Dev Svcs
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Goal Timeline Departments
Plan for the city’s future growth and infrastructure needs, and provide support for new development.
Promote Job Creation Centers and Business Clusters, and support private business and residential investment in the city to generate additional revenues for city operations and other needs.
Maintain a digital presence by identifying city
branding and promotional opportunities to
improve online and social media presence
through an RFP for services – promoting
investment opportunities, business climate,
and high quality of life Six Months EcDev, CM
Complete Merced Airport Terminal Project Six Months EcDev, CM, Eng, PW Facilitate Economic Roundtable/Investment
Event with community partners
Year EcDev, CM
Strengthen UC Merced & Merced College
partnerships – prioritize business hub
attraction
Year EcDev
Explore Family Entertainment Zone (FEZ) and
tourism opportunities – support CP42 Two Years EcDev, Plnng, CM Support a grocery store in South Merced
(District 2) – Childs & Canal roadway and
sidewalk improvements Two Years EcDev, Eng, Dev Svcs, CM
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Goal Timeline Departments
Complete project design for shovel-ready
projects Year
Identify project stages to determine project
viability and public input Year
Utilize the speed survey to identify future
project needs Year
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Support current housing projects to bring units
online Year Hsg, Plnng, CM
Seek state and federal grants and earmarks Year Hsg, Plnng, CM Continue to invest in the production of affordable housing throughout the city
Improve pedestrian safety and infrastructure
Maintain Infill Incentive Area and Affordable
by Design programs Year Dev Svcs, CM
Maintain “off-the-shelf” ADU, Duplex, and
Triplex plans Year Dev Svcs, CM
Support the Continuum of Care (CoC) Year Hsg, CM
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Goal Timeline Departments
Pavement Management System – update road
priority list and align funding with project
readiness Two Years Eng, Fin, PW, CM
Finalize Bear Creek Restoration design,
permitting, and environmental review Year Eng, PW, CM, CA Update City Engineering Standards Year Eng, PW
Complete Quiet Zone planning and permitting Year Eng
Complete Wastewater Master Plan
environmental review Year PW, Plnng, CM, CA
GOVERNANCE
Goal Timeline Departments
Launch Public Access Portal for resolutions
and contracts Three Months CLK, IT
Launch new website and Merced Connect App Three Months IT, All Depts Establish City Council Code of Conduct Year CM, Council Reevaluate Goals/Priorities process and
Budget Cycle
Year Fin, CM, Council
Expand staffing and expertise across
departments – add internal capacity
Year CM, CA, Eng, Plnng, EcDev
Reevaluate technical studies and guidance
documents for ongoing scheduled updates
Year All Depts
Foster community well-being, inclusive services, and enhanced quality of life
Strategically invest in community development and CIPs to enhance Merced’s quality of life, support economic development, public safety, and a high quality of life.
Update City Purchasing Policies Year All Depts
Maintain Grant Writing Service and internal
workgroup Year CM
PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVI
Goal Timeline Departments
Designate local Arts District Three Months CM, CPS
Complete Parks and Recreation Open Space
Master Plan – seek guidance on
implementation of recommendations Six Months
Complete CP42 JPA formation and CP42 North
entitlements Six Months PCS, Eng, CA, CM
Plan community facilities Year PCS, CM
Maintain restrooms, lighting, playground
equipment, turf & irrigation, equipment, and
area security Year PW, PCS, PD
Seek partners for Fahren’s Basin Nature Trail Year PCS
POLICY TOPICS Goal Timeline Departments
Consider Street Vendor Ordinance TBD CA, EcDev, Plnng, Fin, CM, MPD Develop Special Events Ordinance TBD CA, EcDev, Plnng, CM, MPD Slumlord Ordinance TBD CA, EcDev, Plnng, CM, MPD
NEW CIP PROJECTS Project Timing Departments
City Clerk Office Safety Improvements TBD Eng, PW
Flashing School Beacons for pedestrian safety TBD PW
Signal Controller Replacements TBD PW
City Hall skylight and exhaust fan replacement TBD PW, Eng IT Data Center Flooring TBD IT, PW
Improve quality of life and ensure facilities and options for the health and wellness of the community.
CURRENT CIP PROJECTS
ROADS AND PEDESTRIAN Project Timing Departments
Complete Childs Ave., Stowell School, and
West Ave. pedestrian projects Three Months Eng
Complete Coffee Rd/Campus Parkway
crosswalk & ADA ramps Six Months Eng, PW
Complete citywide Speed Survey Six Months Eng, MPD
Improve Arbor Walkway Six Months Eng, PW
Complete design: Elevated bike lane and
speed table at Santa Fe Strip Park Year Eng
Complete design – sidewalks along Yosemite
Ave. and multi-use path near Merced College
(CMAQ) Year Eng
Complete design for Melody Ln sidewalk
(CMAQ) Year Eng
Replace M St. sidewalk from 19th to 21st Year Eng
PARKS Project Timing Departments
Complete Stephen Leonard Building
Improvements Three Months PCS, Eng
Complete Merced Zoo renovation Six Months Eng, PCS
Complete Bob Hart Square improvements Six Months Eng, PCS Relocate PCS Dept. to Senior Center Year PCS, Eng, PW
Complete Parks & Rec Master Plan (PROS) Year PCS
Renovate Joe Herb Park Year PCS, Eng, PW
Replace Applegate Park blacktop Year PCS, Eng, PW
Improve Fahren’s Park parking lot Year PCS, Eng, PW
Begin construction at Gen. Vang Pao Park Year PCS, Eng
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Project Timing Departments
Complete projects – Yosemite Ave.,
Downtown One Way, Airport Terminal,
Gateway Monument Projects Three Months Eng
Complete Safe Streets Lighting Project Six Months Eng
Advance McKee Road CIP – County
collaboration and cost sharing Six Months Eng
CMAQ Signal detector and sync project Year Eng, PW
Complete Craig Dr. sewer main project Year Eng, PW
Finalize Collins Dr. and Childs & Canal
design/engineering Year Eng