City manager: Baker Tilly hired for tax‑sharing options; appraisal work underway for Wynton Parkway parcel

The Livingston City manager told the council on July 1 that the city has retained Baker Tilly to develop tax‑sharing models and proposals to support future negotiations with Merced County.

The manager said the work is designed to provide options for the council's tax‑sharing ad hoc committee and to help the city re‑engage with the county on revenue sharing. "We should have some options for the tax sharing ad hoc committee so that when we meet with the county we can start negotiations," the manager reported.

Staff also said the city is pursuing appraisals for a parcel needed to extend Wynton Parkway. The city is getting proposals from MAI appraisers to establish a fair‑market value for a parcel the Livingston Unified School District may sell and that the city hopes to acquire for the roadway extension.

Finally, the manager noted coordination with Frontier Communications on fiber deployments and said the city had shared information with new developments, the school district and medical clinics to encourage competitive broadband options and infrastructure upgrades.

No specific timelines or dollar amounts for the Baker Tilly contract or the appraisals were provided in the meeting remarks; staff said proposals and options will be shared with the tax‑sharing ad hoc committee when available.