[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6226621,"mediaKeyId","3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585","parentId",3504256,"title","Resident raises questions about downtown assessment spending, calls for audit","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",1055000,"endMs",1283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585&start=1055&end=1283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585/thumbnail_1055000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226621/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Resident-raises-questions-about-downtown-assessment-spending-calls-for-audit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226621-ec426ec30e27585313a962dcf4bbbd4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100751&Signature=bB8TMBtayzMhkbywpULrbjx2Mb0KFhgnt9AyPw5ryMYkJAJtiE3y9CtCQidc4EM6T9yFyo6dyi10xraguXJQyhBaumgjbUcDrc-gLQQv3oB~0Y~FoIsF3qO-q-yfoHQtLM0hCQJzTTXhhmQtVEGJ9A9Cwf75tDyhLmoiec~gJPNzmJGDG62DkPWBzW2UZ9QrpjCmzJdgtF0Wfz72yRJ77tB0vSkfyi3OYdt4enh6Tw67anVYu2-auS18Fmt6xITIun3OCkl-w1zZDkbnYQ~qNz4ej~oKPiEuuUyovM98-E5AkXuqn7Ih2gKEOo4NTRXV~ot4fzQXm-fRwyL~35E8mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Los Banos CA","date","2025-05-25T12:27:54.22Z","article","At the May 21 public forum a downtown property owner raised concerns about how Property‑Based Improvement District (PBID) funds have been spent and asked the city to press for a financial audit of the Downtown Association.

Speaker Mark Dudes said his review found a shortfall between PBID assessments paid over several years and visible downtown improvements. He told the council he estimated the PBID collected about $750,000 over five years and questioned how those funds were allocated. \"I'm concerned about now. We've collected over the last 5 years 750000 dollars in assessments. Where bridal that go?\" he asked.

Dudes described specific line items he said were listed in project documents — planters, trash receptacles, security cameras and benches — and said the totals he reviewed did not appear to match the $750,000 figure. He said the Downtown Association had hired a CPA (Newger and Company) and he had not seen audit reports; he asked the city for oversight and noted the city had asked the Downtown Association for an audit.

City staff acknowledged the Downtown Association has been asked to provide an audit for the period in question and indicated the city intends to follow up. No formal action or ordinance was proposed at the meeting; the remarks were taken under public comment and will be available in the public record.

The council did not take immediate action on the PBID issue during the May 21 meeting; staff said they would continue to pursue the association’s audit and provide updates to the council when available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Los Banos California, City Council Meeting, May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A downtown property owner questioned the use of Property-Based Improvement District funds and urged the city to enforce audits of the Downtown Association after saying $750,000 had been collected with little visible revitalization.","taxTitle","Los Banos, Merced County, California","taxId",55580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226625,"City auditors issue clean opinion on fiscal 2023–24; council accepts audit report",1569,5597000,7166000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585&start=5597&end=7166","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585/thumbnail_5597000.jpg","/articles/6226625/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/City-auditors-issue-clean-opinion-on-fiscal-202324-council-accepts-audit-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226625-85f8409b58ac1aa83b6506468159cdec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100751&Signature=AVf-lhS3uIxyuQfS~725UU0z50Z2e54uoGG8bNHpDbEr~FQ~7tyGcirwuTU36nLgkKlrkFB7Yps9LENcu2oYIB-nHhQZ-VZQSjw~Gtjua36wXMVCJbstqLjuasqCbwq5-nIarF6GQCgNZ166xPVaTM3ceEvzXJVsRdv9zqJnqz9GMkUsWJ7Fem9nyiu3l7YbGj~smHImLlbugrgOHw4oLZaVcE5G65TypTCxmxydD-fjOhbgblGiCZKBFyFuLQXM5AISTY3GPLa9AJvXbEz944U7ywP8EnK3c-cCLAc0VhJjx5van6Pal11s6qi-kbbwS6tHN9aFk1bgV0ZbgvcEkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Independent auditors presented the City of Los Banos fiscal year 2023–24 audit at the May 21 meeting and the City Council voted to accept the reports.

Price Paige & Company (auditors) told the council the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the city’s basic financial statements, meaning the auditors found no material misstatements. \"In our opinion, the financial statements ... present fairly,\" the auditor said, describing the standard clean opinion.

The auditors also reported no significant control deficiencies or material weaknesses related to internal controls over financial reporting. The city’s single audit — required because federal expenditures exceeded the single‑audit threshold — identified highway planning and construction grants as the major federal program audited; auditors issued an unmodified opinion on compliance for that program.

Finance staff summarized key figures for council: the general fund showed an increase in fund balance for the year, and management discussion and analysis material was available in the audit packet. The auditors noted the city’s internal controls and month‑end and year‑end reconciliations supported the clean report.

Councilmember Deborah Lewis moved to accept Resolution 6,934 accepting the fiscal year 2023–24 audit report; the motion was seconded and the council voted to adopt the resolution.

Council and staff praised finance staff and auditors for the work. The auditors and finance director encouraged continuing attention to controls and to the city’s federal‑award reporting obligations as federal spending grows.","Independent auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the City of Los Banos fiscal 2023–24 financial statements and a clean single‑audit on major federal programs; the council adopted Resolution 6,934 accepting the audit.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226629,"County consultant previews five‑year aging and disability plan to Los Banos council",0,3171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585&start=3171&end=3171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585/thumbnail_3171000.jpg","/articles/6226629/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/County-consultant-previews-fiveyear-aging-and-disability-plan-to-Los-Banos-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226629-dd00ad23b7d1d5373dcb8cc6dcb787d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100751&Signature=ZmkT-RWpELiRTgwFDA8yRKrIqZXOSpxWFS-yUStIqKtbafRgwwg3mSm16EsVv8A7~iF5sdDc7Mh5MtKdSE7LVbaXjriHpJGp858ZxhCMS2rmdDkZYkX7U2z3BU40v0UCEkWkLaCUd9uMKe2L0ZLpDaFKcrogWm5pQAKnk5k1T6DdwLeQ2rbdxcp6dy382nVoFrmDZWmI3J3YZbSBf-9JRYbS2gct9cR-~66sV4bUoGVG~htxMKvISbveapQXU2hyWTp-Mryq0POmxScDy0aQP2-6sLu~17ksKbv1SNvUPwYJvZc4ENX4TflEeLusLk5mQiljx23f7bdXUeSrlGUO0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant leading Merced County’s Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan briefed the Los Banos City Council on May 21, outlining a five‑year strategy to improve livability and services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Mike King of Pear Street Consulting said the plan was developed through 10 focus groups with about 319 participants and an advisory committee; a draft went to the county for public comment and the Board of Supervisors was scheduled to consider it June 10. \"The plan is purposely aligned with California's master plan for aging and AARP's domains of livability,\" King said.

King summarized the plan’s top priorities as communications and information, transportation and affordable housing. He described 14 draft project recommendations that include volunteer caregiver and driver programs, scaling county home‑repair and accessibility modifications, pedestrian safety and digital‑inclusion efforts. King said the plan targets lower‑income older adults and people with disabilities and will rely on volunteer efforts and outside grants for implementation, rather than a new county general‑fund commitment.

Councilmembers asked how implementation would work locally. King said the county's Area Agency on Aging will initially lead the work with existing staff and will pursue grants and partnerships. \"We're gonna get them organized and ready to take advantage of those opportunities,\" he said.

Councilmember Deborah Lewis pressed whether the plan targets particular income groups; King said the emphasis is on lower‑income households that are most affected by gaps in transportation, housing and services. Another councilmember noted the plan could help inform local general‑plan updates and transportation planning.

The presentation was informational; no council action was requested. King provided a project website for the draft plan and staff said they welcome feedback as the county moves toward adoption and implementation planning.","Pear Street Consulting presented a draft Merced County Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan, a five‑year framework the county will take to the Board of Supervisors; the consultant said the plan focuses on communications, transportation and affordable housing and seeks city partnership for implementation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226634,"Council approves MOU with Grasslands Water District for 160‑acre recharge basin",236,2820000,3056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585&start=2820&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585/thumbnail_2820000.jpg","/articles/6226634/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Council-approves-MOU-with-Grasslands-Water-District-for-160acre-recharge-basin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226634-1eab8c9d6006de0f60fd09ace4bad649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100751&Signature=J5jj8ke~rJ-1RIVg1D7lxquozgb2GG5wuSyTMnbwPANr3C9a2mjbz4jxK4-340-u2RVfp6poXoy9KK-EIS8OBuedLMs9MDD55K06-adA55YKb4uILCTdoozF90VoKppTGkgLlfTlbaGGxymu5hLjPRGRxEQvJVuSPJF6bKbyljrcqPOYuYZ0SgTbdE-7PuUKwzkCgzxQ4HVePisZ1namrO2zvSweWD-T4bHbk~0hxRNSRju-L3NfDWN8AYd31po3XAzqe42Z79DWTJJfH004~zhem8MK3sqcVtVqlo8C3Dhqe0NRUpOYGd8fmDe1Ewx4Pt9AO5zPMNA04yeXFsb1Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Banos City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Grasslands Water District on May 21 to develop and operate a stormwater recharge basin east of town.

Public Works staff presented the agreement as a cooperative project with the water district. \"It contains approximately 160 acres,\" the public works presenter said, and \"at 60 acres, it can hold approximately 500 acre foot of water,\" language the presenter used to describe the basin’s scale and benefits.

According to staff, the basin sits between the San Luis and Santa Fe canals at the northeast edge of town. The MOU delegates day‑to‑day operation decisions to the water district while giving the city credits for captured stormwater and groundwater recharge. Staff told the council the basin will provide flood control and a more reliable water supply for the district while increasing the city’s ability to capture stormwater and receive exchange/recharge credits over time.

A letter from the Grasslands Water District general manager was included in the record and urged council approval, noting the basin’s potential to improve drinking‑water quality near the basins by placing fresh water closer to domestic wells.

Councilmember motioned to adopt resolution 6,933; the motion was seconded, and the council voted \"aye\" with no recorded opposition. The resolution passed without amendments.

Council staff said they view the MOU as the first of multiple projects to expand stormwater capture in and around Los Banos and that design and implementation steps will follow the agreement.

No specific construction dates were presented at the May 21 meeting. Staff committed to return with implementation details, operational protocols and any future requests for project approvals or funding.","The city adopted resolution 6,933 to formalize a memorandum of understanding with Grasslands Water District to operate a stormwater recharge basin east of town; staff said the basin could store roughly 500 acre‑feet and provide stormwater capture, flood control and recharge credits.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6226639,"Los Banos council schedules community workshop after violent incident at downtown encampment",3946,1534000,5480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585&start=1534&end=5480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504256-4f3595f9a3743d9bfb0c285bbb643585/thumbnail_1534000.jpg","/articles/6226639/Los-Banos/Merced-County/California/Los-Banos-council-schedules-community-workshop-after-violent-incident-at-downtown-encampment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226639-98dde1d212cdc6eb5822747cd1586594/orig.mp4?Expires=1771100751&Signature=Pvb6DfTedqn4iFr-m6z-0IAKhBolSkgFWoX3hsmVMfEFZvjN43LOYNZXuf0yx~FvNaNqxG95iVd3zDjO1ys~y1b1Slb-3gUg10Un9kpgcP4-9q5szwyPAWUQhi5FXel~acCEzAYoisYgpfrFmANMKuiL9N5nlk3UfYgKDZ331~AIAGH7ZO9N-G-CsnsejAiw3k70On8iRNuosRRad3wUvBDOY-n6XuRS7zadFEvh4YQCNhhOs0Bf4hwwKqiOsexNAQC4sN4MEkLUkVYmaOozS-2BffNeUi-A~iu~dh83~fQsoo8957v~3yxgp4cplML3dD-YlsnUqdNjOXgol6G9dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A recent injury at a longstanding homeless encampment on G Street sharpened calls for new, clearer management and faster action from Los Banos residents, councilmembers and staff at the May 21 City Council meeting.

Multiple public commenters described persistent trash, fires and safety problems at the encampment and urged the city to act. “The status quo is unacceptable,” a resident told the council during the public comment period. Other speakers described human waste, frequent fires that taxed firefighters and an environment that they said discouraged businesses and visitors.

City Manager Gary Breezy said the city will hold a community workshop next month to review the city’s response and gather public input. “I think we can pull that off very easily,” Breezy said, adding staff will replay prior briefings that outline the city’s outreach, sanitation and housing work. Breezy also said state funding announced by the governor for homelessness response is not currently flowing to the western side of Merced County, and staff will try to use nearby regional resources when possible.

Police and fire officials confirmed the departments responded to a recent serious incident at the encampment. The police chief said department personnel were affected by the event and that the woman who was injured is recovering and may be eligible for a respite bed in Merced when medically appropriate. The chief added that police and fire personnel would be out at the site to pick up debris in coming days.

Councilmembers and staff discussed the complex trade-offs of closing encampments. Breezy noted the governor has urged closures in some cases but emphasized a commonly cited caveat: “ensure that there are reasonably accessible locations within the jurisdiction where a person may lawfully sleep before you close an encampment.” He warned that closing an encampment also removes on-site bathrooms and services unless alternative shelter is available.

Separately, Breezy said the city is terminating a contract with a private vendor that placed portable units on a downtown lot and is seeking their removal. He said the city will press the company to remove the units and that the contract runs through June under current terms; staff will pursue other options if the company does not voluntarily remove them sooner.

No ordinance or emergency resolution was adopted at the meeting; councilmembers directed staff to schedule the public workshop and provide regular updates. Several councilmembers reiterated they want a defined, legally supported strategy for the encampment’s future rather than ad-hoc management.

The council plans to present more information and gather community input at the forthcoming workshop and during upcoming budget and policy discussions.","Public commenters and councilmembers pressed city leaders for action after a recent injury and ongoing hazards at a long-running homeless encampment; city manager and public safety officials said a community workshop will be scheduled and staff are pursuing removal of private portable units on a city lot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident raises questions about downtown assessment spending, calls for audit

City auditors issue clean opinion on fiscal 2023–24; council accepts audit report

County consultant previews five‑year aging and disability plan to Los Banos council

Council approves MOU with Grasslands Water District for 160‑acre recharge basin

Los Banos council schedules community workshop after violent incident at downtown encampment