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Merced tax panel approves quarterly Measure C and Measure Y reports as revenues slip
Summary
The Merced Tax Transparency Commission approved quarterly financial reports on Nov. 20, 2025, with finance officer Venus Rodriguez saying Measure C sales-tax receipts totaled about $9 million for fiscal 2024–25 and Measure Y collections remain on a downward trend at roughly $1.6 million; commissioners voted unanimously to accept both reports and deferred selecting a new chair.
At its Nov. 20, 2025 meeting, the Merced Tax Transparency Commission unanimously approved quarterly financial reports showing Measure C sales-tax proceeds of about $9 million for fiscal 2024–25 and continuing declines in Measure Y revenue, city finance officer Venus Rodriguez said.
"We ended the year at $9 million for sales tax and Measure C," Rodriguez said while presenting the April–June quarterly report and year-to-date figures. She told commissioners the city had increased the budget forecast slightly to $9.1 million but that final receipts were running a bit lower than expected.
Rodriguez said the city saw modest quarter-over-quarter growth in some sectors — general consumer goods, restaurants and hotels, and autos and transportation — while other sectors showed declines, particularly fuel and service stations, business and industry, food and drugs, and building and construction. For the full fiscal year 2024–25 she described an overall dip of roughly $50,000, or about 0.56 percent, compared with the prior year.
On Measure Y, Rodriguez said the fund "closed the fiscal year a little bit over $1.6 million" and that staff are projecting about the same level for the coming year. She reported the most recent quarter showed a decrease of about $30,000 and described a continuing trend of quarter-over-quarter declines in Measure Y receipts.
During the discussion, a commissioner asked about the status of a proposed dispensary at the former "Cool Cats" site. Staff said the proprietors had experienced delays driven in part by funding but were moving ahead and that activity could appear as soon as next month or by January.
After presentation and brief questions, the commission moved, seconded and voted to accept the Measure C and Measure Y financial reports; the clerk recorded the motions as passing unanimously. The commission also approved the Aug. 12, 2025 meeting minutes without amendment.
Commissioners used the business portion of the meeting to review membership terms and to consider selecting a new chair. Staff recommended postponing that selection until a meeting when all members can attend. Commissioner Amelia Johnson moved to defer the chair selection to the next regular meeting; Commissioner Denise Murphy seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Members asked several follow-up questions about line items and investment earnings. One commissioner asked for a definition of an "administration reimbursement" line (listed in the materials as $6,124); staff explained it represents internal administrative charges from central departments such as the city manager's office, finance, purchasing and the city attorney for work performed on the fund. Staff told the commission they will provide a report on investment earnings and other requested detail at the next scheduled meeting in February.
The commission also requested an update on major street projects at the February meeting. With no public commenters in attendance and no further business, the commission adjourned.
