January 20, 2026
Lew Edwards Group
Professional Services
Agreement
Survey
• November - December
• 410 Likely Voters in 2026 Election
• Telephone, Email and Text Invitations
• Telephone and Online Interviews
• English and Spanish
• Ad Hoc Sub Committee Involvement
• Full Council Support to Initiate Survey
Significant Issues
Homelessness
Health Care
Gangs and Youth Violence
Drugs and Narcotics
Cost of Living
People living in poverty
Public Safety Highlights
Public safety concerns have held constant
Concerns about Parks’ conditions and safety
have increased, with concerns about
insufficient youth and adult recreation
programs
6 Survey tested three options
• General Sales Tax
• Special Public Safety Tax
• Special Parks Tax
Top Priorities
Addressing homelessness & encampments
Responding quickly to neighborhood fires
Preventing gang activity
Maintaining the city’s ability to respond to natural and medical needs
Protecting and maintaining 911 police response times
Fixing potholes
Maintain Merced’s local quality of life
8 Other extremely important priorities
Services to get homeless residents off local streets
Retain qualified police officers
Providing police and fire stations to match the community’s need Keeping parks safe and clean and well maintained
Maintaining neighborhood policing to make schools and parks safter Prevent elimination of 24 fire fighter positions – SAFER Grant Compelling rationale for support
• Emergency Response
• SAFER Grant – Fire Fighter Preservation
• Homelessness
Important but less intense
Affordable housing options
Medical staff on every fire engine
Maintaining city parks – clean park bathrooms
Increasing crime prevention efforts
Protecting and maintaining neighborhood police patrols
Next Steps
(Scope of Services)
LEG Role
• Coordinate project strategy and timeline for City staff • Support public information and community input (infrastructure, safety, general fund)
• Refine clear, neutral messaging using City communication channels
• Advise/train staff on effective project communications • Recommend informational outreach tools; draft content for City review
• Assist with earned media and misinformation clarification City Control & Limits
• City Manager & City Attorney approval all content
• Advisory only – no policy authority
(FAQs)
• Is this a political or campaign consultant?
No. Services are informational and advisory only, not advocacy or persuasion.
• Is this related to an election or ballot campaign?
Only to ensure factual, legally compliant informational materials in coordination with the City Attorney.
• Who controls the messaging?
The City. All content is reviewed and approved by City staff and legal counsel.
• Is public money being used for campaigning?
No. There is no campaign spending and no independent
messaging.
• Why conduct a community survey?
To understand resident priorities and awareness, not to influence votes.
• Can the consultant expand the scope later?
No. The role is clearly defined and limited to the approved scope. • Who pays for mailers, ads, or digital outreach?
The City, using its own vendors, outside the consultant agreement.
Recommendation
• Approving a supplemental appropriation
within the unreserved, unencumbered
fund balance in the General Fund in the
amount of $104,375
• Approving an Agreement for Professional
Services with The Lew Edwards Group
• Authorizing the Finance Officer to make
the necessary budget adjustments
• Authorizing the City Manager or the
Deputy City Manager to execute the
necessary documents.