Consideringg placementt off aa Locall
Fundingg Measuree onn thee Ballot
Novemberr 20266 Vitall Servicess
Protectionn Measure
TTonight’ss Decision:
Placee aa
proposedd
measuree onn thee
Novemberr 3,,
20266 ballot.
Alloww Mercedd
residentss too
decidee thee issuee
throughh aa
publicc vote.
Approvee thee
ballott languagee
andd electionn
resolution.
Tonight’ss Decision:
AA generall taxx requiress voterr approvall beforee itt cann takee effect..
Mercedd Cityy Councill iss consideringg whetherr to::
CCommunityy Engagement
How we engaged the community:
• Two statistically valid surveys of Merced residents (Nov/Dec 2025 & July 2026) • Community meetings
• Roundtable discussions with community stakeholders
• Local media interviews and public information
• Three citywide mailers inviting residents to participate in the survey • Dedicated project webpage with updates and resources
Community engagement and polling identified the following as residents’ highest priorities:
• Responding quickly to neighborhood fires and retaining firefighters • Protecting 911 police response times and retaining qualified police officers • Preventing gang activity and maintaining neighborhood policing • Fixing roads and potholes
• Maintaining Merced’s local quality of life
• Keeping city parks safe and clean
• Maintaining the City’s ability to respond to natural disasters and medical emergencies • Providing police and fire stations to meet the community’s needs • Protecting Merced’s vital services
• Ensuring accountability through public disclosure and independent audits Police
Staffing remains
below 2009 levels
and has not kept
pace with
population growth.
Community Needs & Services Challenges
AAss Mercedd continuess too grow,, demandd forr thesee servicess continuess too increasee whilee long -termm fundingg challengess remain..
Fire
Fire staffing is set to
be reduced March
2027 by 27% due to
lack of funding.
Roads Rated "Poor“
The 2022 Pavement
Condition Index
identified significant
investment needs.
Quality of Life
Undeveloped park
sites and safety
concerns require
additional capital and
personnel resources.
PProposed Vital Services Measure
- Local Control
- Independent Audits
- Citizen Oversight
- Public Disclosure
- Voter Approval Required
1¢ Local Sales Tax
Approx $18 Million
Annually
• Local Control
• Independent Audits
• Citizen Oversight
• Public Disclosure
• Voter Approval Required
Financial
Analysis
Community
Engagement
Council Places
Measure on
Ballot
Merced
Voters Decide
Recommendation: Adopt the resolution calling the November 3, 2026 Municipal Election Councill Consideration