City Council Meeting 08.03.26

The City of Merced City Council meeting was held August 3, 2026. The council approved placing a one-cent general sales tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the tax would continue until ended by voters. The city manager cited recent General Fund shortfalls of $500,000 and $1.3 million and described needs including public safety, roads, parks, and neighborhood services. Council also approved a three-year extension to the county property-tax-sharing agreement to support pending annexations. The council approved applying for and accepting a U.S. Department of Justice grant of up to $250,000 for police and employee mental-health and wellness programs.

For transportation projects, the council approved redirecting $4 million in Measure V regional funding from Highway 59 widening to the Black Rascal Bridge project, increasing the bridge’s funding to $10 million and leaving $2.5 million for widening and right-of-way work. It also unanimously accepted $246,000 in additional congestion-mitigation funds for citywide traffic-signal synchronization; the project had previously been awarded to St. Francis Electric for $1.386 million. The council approved a commemorative mural project with funding not to exceed $15,000, with two council members opposed. Other arts proposals included $13,000 for events at Bob Hart Square, $10,000 for a splash-pad mural, and $20,000 for utility-box artwork; the transcript does not clearly capture the final action on those proposals.