FISCAL STABILITY
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Fiscal Stability Plan - provide a
plan to Budget Subcommittee for
feedback and City Council
direction
Three Months Complete Scheduled for council review in 2026. Finance, City Manager
Complete CFD update for new
service area annexations Six Months Pending
Study session scheduled for February 2
Finance,
Development
Services, City
Manager
Review fees for services, including
application fees Six Months
Parks & Recreation
complete;
Development Services
and Airport pending.
Development
Services, Finance,
City Manager,
MPD, MFD
Identify options for cost recovery
or recovering lost revenues-
business license, TOT audits
One Year Pending Contract scheduled for council review on February 2nd
Finanace, MPD,
MFD
Consider options to add new
revenue sources, cost recover
stratiges
One Year
fees for PD services (parades, street closures)
New parks fees and facility sponsorships - city
service fees, potential ballot measure, adjust
pricing on airport industrial land park,
increase hangar lease fees, develop services
fee study, remove city subs for leased
community facilities
Finance, City
Manager, City
Attorney
Review and implement city utility
rate studies One Year
Study sessions for
Refuse and Water &
Sewer scheduled on
1/20 and 1/27
Finance, Public
Works, City
Manager
Identify options for one-time
revenue gains-property and
surplus equipment
One Year In progress Bell Station cost savings and Transportation Center property sale. All Departments
Ensure the City’s long-term financial health to maintain services and ongoing operations.
Attachment 2
GOVERNANCE
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Launch Public Access Portal
for ordinances and
contracts
Three Months In progress Ordinance process complete;
contracts process pending City Clerk, Information Technology Launch new website and
Merced Connect App Three Months Complete Information Technology, All Departments Establish City Council Code
of Conduct
One Year Complete Finalized in 2024. City Manager, City Council Reevaluate Goals/Priorities
process and Budget Cycle One Year Complete Finance, City Manager, City Council Expand staffing and
expertise across
departments -add internal
capacity
One Year On-going City Manager, City Attorney, Engineering, Planning, Economic Development
Update City Purchasing
Policies
One Year Pending Specific to the threshold for purchases All Departments Maintain Grant Writing
Service and internal
workgroup
One Year On-going
CPPG is actively sourcing competitive
grants and coordinating with multiple
departments to submit competitive
funding proposals. City Manager
Foster community well-being, including services, and enhanced quality of life
FUTURE PLANNING
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Complete Housing Element &
SB 244 Six Months Anticipate council
adoption in 2026
In the final stage with the public comment period; revisions and updates to be resubmitted to HCD by late January 2026, pending compliance edits.
Planning, City Attorney, City Manager
Seek State "Pro Housing"
designation One Year Resubmit
application in 2026
Revision and resubmission contingent upon housing element adoption Planning, City Manager
Amend zoning and municipal
code to support
housing/business investment
One Year In progress Pending adoption of Housing Element Development Services, City Attorney, City Manager
Process annexation and
development applications
On going multi-year process - throughout the city of merced Development Services, City Attorney, City Manager
Consider county island
extensions
On going Council Feedback and Subcommittee has met Development Services, City Attorney, City Manager
Coordinate advocacy efforts
with community partners on
HSR project
One Year In progress
Staff is meeting regularly with the HSR Authority to identify opportunities and outline a plan for the Merced–Bakersfield HSR segment
Development Services, City Attorney, City
Manager
Update AB 1600 due to new
annexations One Year In progress
AB 1600 will be updated to incorporate the recent and
proposed annexations
Planning, Engineering, City Manager, City
Attorney
Continue General Plan Update-
HSR Station Area Plan On hold On hold Pending HSR planning outcome Development Services
Plan for the City’s growth and infrastructure needs, and provide support for new development.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Identify options for one-time
revenue gains - property and
surplus equipment
Three Months PD - Complete
PD -Fleet asset: electric Polaris vehicle
purchased under an EV grant and transferred
to Parks and Recreation. Asset tag updated
for CP-42 maintenance vehicle
Fire, Police, City
Manager
Explore contract services with
PBID for Downtown Merced
services
Three Months PD - Pending
PD - PBID includes a line item for security. PD
has not realized revenue at this time, but
there is potential to purchase security
cameras at a future date
Police, City Manager
Expand contract services with the
school district for resource officers Three Months PD - Complete PD- Renewed three MOUs with the HS
District and the City School District. During
contract negotiations, the HS District
increased its overtime budget and
reimbursed the City for the purchase of a
fleet vehicle.
Police, City Manager
Plan and create a strategy for
service post-expiration of FEMA
SAFER Grant
Three Months FD - In process
Potential funding sources include a potential
ballot measure, not back filling vacancies
(currently 18 of 24 personnel are filled)
liability decreased by 25% - SAFER grant
funding is pending spring 2026 - preparing
for upcoming NOFO.
Fire, City Manager,
Finance
Completion of Hawk Training
Center Three Months FD - In process
The design phase is complete, with the
project scheduled to go out to bid in March
2026. The city is currently pursuing additional
funding opportunities and partnerships.
Fire, Engineering
Strengthen community safety through responsive emergency services, integrated community policing, fire and building safety, and active engagement.
Maintain ALS Services Rollout Three Months On-going
Advanced Life Support (ALS) service was
placed into operation on Engine 53 in January
2025, followed by the implementation of
Squad 53 in March 2025. Currently, Engine
51, Engine 55, and Squad 53 are operating as
ALS units. Engine 54 and Engine 52 are on
track to transition to ALS by July 2026.
Fire
Proactive community policing to
reduce crime and improve quality
of life
On-going On-going Stats
Police
Community Relations - community
outreach & employee recognition Three Months On-going
PD and Fire continue to prioritize community
relations through outreach programs and
employee recognition initiatives, including
National Night Out, Holiday Toy Drive, school
visits to promote public safety and good
citizenship, and National Walk to School
Days, and partnerships with CBOs Police, Fire
Emergency Management- internal
training & partner agency
partnership preparedness
On-going On-going
A full-scale interagency tabletop exercise for
the new EOP, an internal flood tabletop
exercise, and expanded emergency
management training for city staff.
Fire, Police, Public
Works, City Manager
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Complete project design for shovel-ready
projects One Year Engineering
Identify project stages to determine
project viability and public input One Year Engineering Utilize the speed survey to identify future
project needs One Year Engineering
Improve pedestrian safety and infrastructure
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Support current housing
projects to bring units online 2026-2027 177 units open last 12 months, 166 units in
construction, 68 units
in pre-construction, 54
units pending financing
Open-Veterans Village at R Street, 156 at
River Canyon at Devonwood. In
Construction - 108 units at Bella Vista, 1 at
Fuller Center, 58 at Willow Haven at 13th
Street. Pre Construction - 65 at Mercy
Village, 3 at Fuller Center. Pending
financing - 54 units at Linc Housing
Housing, Planning, City
Manager
Seek state and federal grants
and earmarks
2026 Linc housing tax credit
application pending
All other projects are financed Housing, Planning, City Manager
Maintain Infill Incentive Area
and Affordable by Design
On going In progress Policy approved to create larger zones within infill zoned area
Development Services,
City Manager
Maintain "off-the-shelf" ADU,
Duplex, and Triplex plans
On going ADU preapproved
plans available
Includes duplex and triplex preapproved
plans
Development Services,
City Manager
Support the Continuum of Care
(CoC) On gong On going
CoC is chaired by the Mayor. COC was
established by HUD to address
homelessness within a defined geographic
area. Housing, City Manager
Continue to invest in the production of affordable housing throughout the city.
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Designate local Arts District Six Months Complete -
November 2025
Received State Cultural District
Designation in Downtown area
City Manager, Parks &
Community Services
Complete Parks and Recreation Open
Space Master Plan - seek guidance on
implementaiton of recommendations
Six Months
A draft plan is
expected by the
end of winter, with
Council adoption
targeted for Spring
2026.
110% hired to develop the PROS
Plan, hosted five community focus
groups, completed facility
assessments, and reviewing cost
recovery models.
Parks & Community Services
Complete CP 42 JPA formation and CP42
North entitlements One Year JPA extended to
June 2026
CP42 South is expanding its scope
to include JPA funding of a 5th
soccer field, more pathway
lighting, auxiliary parking, and
potentially a second restroom.
Annexation of north portion is
proceeding.
Parks & Community Services,
Engineering, City Attorney, City
Manager
Plan Community Facilities Pending HSR
project
Relocation related to HSR Parks & Community Services,
City manager
Maintain restrooms, lighting, playground
equipment, turf & irrigation, equipment,
and area security
One Year In progress
Parks & Community Services,
Public Works, Police
Seek partners for Fahren's Basin Nature
Trail One Year
Limited capacity
and resources have
delayed progress
this year.
Council approved designating
Fahrens Basin for a nature trail. Parks & Community Services Improve quality of life and ensure facilities and options for the health and wellness of the community PARKS
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Complete Stephen Leonard Building
Improvements Three Months Construction
complete
RFI for use to be issued in early
2026 Parks & Community Services
Complete Merced Zoo renovation Six Months
Anticipated
completion by
Summer 2026
Applegate Zoo Design Build
contract awarded, plans in
review by City Building
Department.
Engineering, Parks &
Community Services
Complete Bob Hart Square improvements Six Months Construction complete
Pending completion of art
project
Engineering, Parks &
Community Services
Relocate Parks & Community Services
Department to Senior Center Six Months Pending Construction plans being prepared by engineering
Engineering, Public Works
Complete PROS Master Plan One Year Spring 2026 Project in progress Parks & Community Services Renovate Joe Herb Park One Year
Focused
collaboration
between HUD and
Engineering will
move these
projects forward.
Carried forward to
2027
CIP projects pending Engineer
assignment to develop cost
estimates to define project
scope for bid preparation.
Parks & Community Services,
Engineering, Public Works
Replace Applegate Park Blacktop One Year Carried forward to 2027
Parks & Community Services,
Engineering, Public Works
Improve Fahren's Park parking lot One Year Carried forward to 2027
Public Works, Engineering
ROADS AND PEDESTRIAN
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Complete Childs Ave., Stowell School, and
West Ave. pedestrian projects Three Months Childs and Stowell are complete
West Ave project is not created
yet. Funding has not been
allocated by MCAG
Engineering
Complete Coffee Rd/Campus Parkway
crosswalks & ADA Ramps Six Months
SOS is routing for approval
right now, CON to start most
likley at end of Jan
Engineering/Publ
ic Works
Complete citywide speed survey Six Months Final ordinance reading went to CC on 1/5/26
Second reading 1/20 council
meeting
Engineering,
Police
Improve Arbor Walkway Six Months Will need to be full year working with adacent property
owner and their contractor to
coordinate construction
Engineering,
Public Works
Complete design - elevated bike lane and
speed table at Santa Fe Park Strip
One Year In CON right now Engineering
Complete design - Yosemite Ave
sidewalks & multi-use path near Merced
College (CMAQ)
One Year In design, environmental not
complete yet
Engineering
Complete design for Melody Ln Sidewalk
(CMAQ) One Year
Request an PED extension for
design for another year,
elevations of street and
pathway need to be
reevaluated for drainage Engineering
Replace M St sidewalk from 19th to 21st One Year In design still Engineering
NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
City Clerks Office Safety Improvements To be determined Pending Contracted an on-call architect for design services and conducted a site
walk in December
Engineering, Public Works
Flashing School Beacons for Pedestrian
Safety To be determined Back
ordered
Expected by late February to early
March Public Works
Signal controller Replacements To be determined Public Works City Hall Skylight and Exhaust Fan
Replacement To be determined Complete Engineering, Public Works IT Data Center Flooring To be determined Not started Pending assignment of engineering staff
Information Technology,
Engineering
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Pavement Management System – update
road priority list and align funding with
project readiness
Two Years On-going
Engineering, Finance,
Public Works, City
Manager
Finalize Bear Creek Restoration design,
permitting, and environmental review One Year
Permit has been assigned
a temporary application
number and a staff
member for review.
401/404 permit
application submitted to
the Flood Board
(processing can take 5–6
months).
Engineering, Public Works,
City Manager, City
Attorney
Update City Engineering Standards One Year Pending Engineering, Public Works Complete Quiet Zone planning and
permitting One Year
Revised plans have been
resubmitted to State CPUC
for review. Engineering
Complete Wastewater Master Plan
Environmental Review One Year In process
Stantec is preparing
envirnmental document
which is nearly complete.
Public Works, Planning,
City Manager, City
Attorney
Strategically invest in community development and Capital Improvement Projects to enhance quality of life, support economic development, and public safety
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Complete projects - Yosemite Ave,
Downtown One Way, Airport Terminal,
Gateway Monument Projects
Three Months
Yosemite - under construction, One-Way
- complete, terminal - final punchlist
walkthrough end of January 2026,
Monuments - complete
Engineering
Complete Safe Streets Lighting Project Six Months
Ongoing, there was a delay in the
purchase of new lights, contractor has
started again
Engineering
Advance McKee Road CIP - County
collaboration and cost sharing Six Months Contract executed - Kickoff meeting with County on 1/15/26
Engineering, Public
Works
CMAQ Signal detector and sync project One Year Project out to bid, bid open on 1/29/26 Engineering, Public
Works
Complete Craig Drive sewer main project One Year
Construction complete, final change
order for paving needs to go to CC for
contingency increase to close out
Engineering
Finalize Collins Drive and Childs & Canal
design/engineering One Year
Ongoing, Collins - Northstar contracted
for survey, Canal/Childs - Northstar
contracted for design, need CON
funding Engineering
Add - Station 56 and Emergency
Operations Center
One Year Pending design RFP
Design and
bridge funding
Engineering, Fire
POLICY TOPICS
Goal Timeline Status Notes Departments
Consider Street Vendor Ordinance In process Ordinance drafted City Attorney, Economic Development, Planning, Finance, City
Develop Special Events Ordinance In process City Attorney, Economic Development, Planning, Finance, City
Develop Repeat Housing Code Violater
Ordniance
In process Ordinance drafted
Draft documents
under review by
AG's office
City Attorney, Economic
Development, Planning, Finance, City
Manager, Police