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Merced City commissioners hear positive Measure C revenue update, approve report
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Summary
Finance staff reported Measure C sales-tax receipts were just under $9 million in 2024–25 and are estimated at about $9.1 million for 2025–26; commissioners voted unanimously to accept the quarterly report and forward it to council.
Venus Rodriguez, finance staff, told the Merced City Commission that Measure C receipts were ‘‘a little close to $9,000,000’’ for fiscal year 2024–25 and that the city is estimating ‘‘a little bit over $9,100,000’’ for 2025–26. Rodriguez characterized recent quarterly results as a positive trend, with the third quarter of 2025 producing roughly a $200,000 increase over the prior year.
The update showed third-quarter receipts of a little over $2,400,000 — about 26.6% of the annual budgeted amount — and Rodriguez said revenues were up 9.5% on a cash basis and 8.5% on an adjusted basis. She added that industry groups were up across the board and that the city met the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommended minimum reserve of $1,500,000 for 2025–26.
Rodriguez briefed commissioners on staffing and the five-year forecast. During the 2025–26 budget process, the council approved moving seven public-safety positions into Measure C funding: one firefighter, four police officers and two dispatchers. Rodriguez said the forecast shows expenditures will outpace revenues in subsequent years unless the city reassigns, freezes or otherwise adjusts those positions.
When a commissioner asked what ‘‘GFOA’’ stands for, Rodriguez replied, ‘‘Government Finance Officers Association,’’ and explained the reserve recommendation exists to ensure operating obligations can be met if revenues fall short. In response to a question about a $143,000 variance in fire expenditures, she said some positions remain vacant and that no salary or benefits have been spent for the firefighter position moved into Measure C.
Commissioner Murphy moved to accept the Measure C report and forward it to council; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The chair called for the vote and the motion passed unanimously.
The commission took no additional action on Measure C beyond accepting the quarterly report and forwarding it to council for consideration at the next scheduled meeting.
