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Merced to mail ballots for assessment increases in 12 maintenance districts; public hearing set for Jan. 20
Summary
City staff recommended and the council authorized a balloting process for 12 underfunded maintenance districts to restore landscape and storm‑pump services, with district-by-district proposed per-unit increases and a Jan. 20, 2026 public hearing to certify ballots. Council also approved a small fiscal appropriation for noticing costs.
City staff on Nov. 3 detailed proposed assessment increases for 12 maintenance districts that city officials say are underfunded and at risk of service reductions.
Deputy Director of Public Works Juan Almost and Special Districts Landscape Coordinator Stacy Hicks presented engineers’ reports and per‑district proposals. Hicks summarized the situation: “We have 12 maintenance districts that are underfunded and that are in jeopardy of having a reduction in their services,” and she walked council through line‑item proposals for landscape frequency, storm pump replacement budgets and staffing support costs.
Examples in the presentation included a proposed increase for Quail/Quell Creek of roughly $56.11 per residential unit per year to raise service from biweekly to weekly, Northwood Village at about $41.55 per unit to restore weekly irrigation and landscaping, and East College Homes (a storm‑pump district) with a planned increase of about $252.27 per unit to support pump replacement budgeting and upkeep. Staff said increases are tailored to each district’s needs — some are for weekly landscape service, some to secure storm‑pump maintenance and replacement funds, and a few reflect the city ending a prior subsidy.
Staff requested council authorize a balloting proceeding and set a public hearing for Jan. 20, 2026 so property owners can vote on assessment increases by mailed ballot. The staff memo also requested a not‑to‑exceed $16,546 appropriation from general funds to pay balloting and noticing costs for the 1,939 affected parcels. Public‑works staff will hold informational meetings and mail ballots to property owners on record; after ballots are tallied at a continued public hearing, council will adopt resolutions confirming engineers’ reports and levies.
Council members pressed staff on outreach and timing. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Bole and others asked that the mailed notices explicitly advertise upcoming informational meetings; staff said sample letters will be revised to include town‑hall dates once council direction is final. Council Member Smith urged care with scheduling, noting the January hearing falls near holidays and asking staff to ensure robust messaging and multiple town‑hall opportunities.
Council voted unanimously to begin the assessment‑balloting process (Resolution 2025-64) and set the Jan. 20, 2026 public hearing.
