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Merced City Council appoints Commissioner Tao to interim District 2 seat after candidate forum
Summary
After a public comment period and a candidate question-and-answer session, the Merced City Council voted to appoint Commissioner Tao to fill the District 2 vacancy on an interim basis; the motion passed with one council member voting no.
The Merced City Council appointed Commissioner Tao to fill the District 2 council vacancy after hearing public comment and interviewing candidates on Dec. 2, 2025.
Residents who spoke during the public-comment period urged the council to select someone who lives in District 2 and will prioritize South Merced needs. Felipe Bridal Flores, a District 2 resident, told the panel: “I highly encourage the council today to appoint someone from District 2.” Maria Vargas and Isabelle Sanchez also urged the council to choose a representative who understands local concerns such as housing, lighting near schools, crosswalk safety and grocery access.
The council held a structured candidate forum in which applicants answered five questions about priorities, qualifications and the district’s infrastructure needs. Dina (a longtime District 2 resident and commissioner) said she has worked in the community for years and described frequent drainage and dangerous intersections, saying she wants “to be the voice for our community.” Commissioner Tao, who described growing up in District 2, said the neighborhood “raised me” and emphasized experience in public service and local planning.
Council members framed the appointment as a choice between district residency and immediate experience. Several members said they favored a District 2 resident who could begin contributing on day one. “I strongly support Commissioner Tao for this appointment,” Council member Shane Smith said, noting Tao’s planning-commission experience and local ties. Council member DuPont and others echoed the view that a representative from District 2 would best serve neighborhood interests.
Council member Mike Harris moved to appoint Commissioner Tao to the District 2 seat “to serve until the first Tuesday following the next general municipal election and until a successor is elected and qualified.” Council member DuPont seconded the motion. The clerk announced that the motion passed; the roll-call announcement noted that Council member Zhang voted no.
The council congratulated Commissioner Tao and encouraged the other applicants to remain engaged with city work. The next council meeting is scheduled Dec. 15, when a swearing-in is possible; the clerk said a separate, smaller swearing-in could also occur before then.
The appointment fills the interim vacancy created on the council; council members said they would expect the appointee to participate in budget season and ongoing development reviews during the roughly 11-month interim term.
