The Delhi Municipal Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on November 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Business includes monthly reports, two brief presentations, and a proposed list of small purchases to be paid from the council's remaining COVID funding balance.

Discussion Points

•Addition of Local Planning Council to monthly reports
•Request for reimbursements for LCAP festival expenses
•Use of remaining COVID balance for small equipment and supplies

Nov

Merced Subbasin GSA Agenda Packet November 12, 2026

The Merced Subbasin GSA Governing Board is scheduled to consider contract and budget actions for the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, receive presentations on cover crops and El Niño/recharge preparation, review the Land Repurposing Program Year 4, and hold a public hearing on an appeal of staff's denial of Alternative Source credit recognition on November 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

Discussion Points

•Appellant submitted a 2025 recognition form by Dec. 10, 2025 but later submitted forms for 2024 and 2023 after the deadline; staff denied the late submissions.
•Draft Contract No. 2026‑06 would place a perpetual easement on 77 acres and retire allocations on approximately 162 acres; easement payment contingent on DGS appraisal.
•EKI plans to prepare LRP annual reports and initiate multi‑aquifer pumping and data‑gaps analysis.
•EKI’s scope includes monitoring network gap assessment, monitoring well planning and construction management, LRP project management, and technical support tasks.
•Noncompliance may trigger rescission and multi‑year ineligibility under Section 2.5.3.8.
•Parties must submit a Cover Crop Attestation Form in the GAP with supporting documentation (photos, seed invoices, management records).
•Phase 1 LRP currently has 11 participants across Years 1–3.
•Prior appeals had been approved in different circumstances; staff presents this appeal for final board determination.
•Project budget lines: $875,000 easement value; $50,000 project management; $75,000 native grassland seeding.
•Protective conditions include use of existing infrastructure or screened temporary pumps, limitations on recharge locations, and reporting to State Water Board (Notice, Preliminary, Final).
•River Partners requested a reallocation of $8,500 from Tasks 2 and 6 into Task 7 to cover program management.
•Section 1242.1 allows flood diversions to recharge groundwater when a local or regional agency posts imminent flood risk notice, subject to protective conditions and reporting.
•Section 1242.1 expires Jan. 1, 2029; it does not create a water right and diverting parties must follow reporting and protective requirements.
•Section 2.5.10 required forms and a Dec. 15, 2025 deadline for recognition of Alternative Source credits.
•TAC recommended allowing up to 3 inches of additional Eligible Inches when rainfall ≥12 inches, and up to 2 inches for rainfall 9–12 inches.

Nov

Emergency Medical Care Committee meeting

Merced County Emergency Medical Care Committee met Nov. 4, 2026, with agenda items including EMS agency reports, a paramedic program update, AMR operations and a quarterly ground ambulance response compliance review; the agenda was posted Oct. 27, 2026.

Nov

Merced County Planning Commission Meeting Agenda 11/4/2026

The Merced County Planning Commission packet for its Nov. 4, 2026 meeting contained three substantive planning items: an administrative permit for Sensient Agricultural Ingredients (continued to Dec. 2, 2026), a zoning-variance/minor-subdivision request for Sierra Vista Dairy, and a zone-variance/property-line adjustment request by Danny Suarez. Staff recommended CEQA exemptions or no further review for each application.

Discussion Points

•Staff described the proposal as two temporary storage units for raw agricultural products, to be held until transported for processing.
•Staff described the requested reduction in the agricultural buffer (34 feet) and the property‑line configuration changes.
•Staff recommended a categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15305(a) and approval subject to conditions.
•Staff recommended no further CEQA review pursuant to Section 15162 based on the 2030 General Plan EIR.
•Staff recommended the commission open/close the public hearing and then make findings to approve or deny per conditions.

Nov

LeGrand Municipal Advisory Council - Regular Agenda (November 2, 2026)

The Le Grand Municipal Advisory Council met Nov. 2, 2026, to hear departmental reports, consider a Tri County transportation resiliency plan and review local items including a Planada clean-up day and a covered stop sign near a school.

Discussion Points

•Tri County Transportation Resiliency Plan listed as new business.

Nov

Hearing Officer Meeting Agenda Packet 11/2/2026

Merced County Hearing Officer agenda for Nov. 2, 2026 included four proposed minor subdivisions across the county; staff recommended CEQA categorical exemptions under Section 15315 for each and asked the Hearing Officer to open/close public hearings and approve the subdivisions subject to findings and conditions.

Discussion Points

•Proposal to subdivide approx. 6.3 acres into five net-acre parcels and a remainder parcel; APNs 207-110-016 and 207-110-017.
•Requested subdivision into two net-acre parcels (1.50 and 1.49 net acres).
•Requested subdivision of approximately 3.7 acres into Parcel 1 (2.00 acres) and Parcel 2 (1.65 acres).
•Staff recommended CEQA categorical exemption and approval subject to findings and conditions.
•Staff recommended CEQA categorical exemption under §15315 and approval subject to findings and conditions.
•Staff recommended CEQA categorical exemption under §15315 and approval subject to findings and standard conditions.
•Staff recommended finding of categorical exemption under CEQA §15315.
•Subdivision of approximately 1.42-acre parcel into Parcel 1 = 0.779 net acres and Parcel 2 = 0.464 net acres.

Oct

Franklin / Beachwood Municipal Advisory Council - Regular Meeting (October 28, 2026)

The Franklin/Beachwood Municipal Advisory Council was scheduled to meet Oct. 28, 2026, at Joe Stephani Elementary School to receive reports from a county supervisor and several county departments and community groups; the agenda included a public comment period with a five-minute limit per speaker and listed the next meeting for Jan. 27, 2027.

Oct

The First 5 Merced Commission Meeting is scheduled for ocotber 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Merced County Department of Public Health, 260 E. 15th Street. Commissioners will review initiatives and projects supporting children 0 to 5 in Merced County.

First 5 Merced County met Oct. 26, 2026 in Merced to consider routine consent items, hear two public hearings (the FY 2025-26 annual audit and annual report) and consider three action items: a $10,000 capacity-building grant for Merced PAL, a $25,000 Playful Places pilot, and a contract-term amendment with Valley Children’s Healthcare.

Discussion Points

•Amendment permits unspent Year 1 funds to roll into Year 2; the total contract amount remains $107,471.64.
•Amendment realigns contract term to the Commission’s fiscal year to simplify budgeting and reporting.
•Annual report documents program outputs (books mailed, children served) and one-time capital investments.
•Audit identifies a significant deficiency related to year-end accruals; management recorded an audit adjustment.
•Audit shows a planned drawdown of fund balance as expenses exceeded revenues by $1.43 million for FY 2025-26.
•Evaluation notes sample-size limits and recommends outreach to increase Latino enrollment in DPIL.
•Merced PAL completed the capacity-building cohort; staff required equipment and reformulated scope to better serve ages 0–5.
•Pilot designed to test four site types and simple evaluation methods (observation, parent survey, site-coded sign-ups).
•Report provides month and year-to-date expenditures vs. appropriations and prints a trust fund balance.
•Safety, cleaning, and insurance requirements for host sites are central conditions for participation.
•Staff recommended accepting the report with no fiscal impact; as a consent item it would be accepted with one motion unless pulled.
•The packet requires a registration and attendance system and final reporting to First 5 Merced County.

Sep

September 24, 2026, Ongoing Planning Council Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Planning Council reviewed an RDA evaluation of the Restart (MHSA) program showing 185 clients served in FY25-26 and recommending clearer outreach, housing pathways and partner coordination. Staff reported on a suicide-prevention event with over 500 attendees, workforce hires, upcoming community events, and procedural updates including a revised IRP process and the FY27-28 annual update timeline.

Discussion Points

•Annual update timeline: reduced community planning requirements but retains 30-day public review and March 31 submission.
•Council members discussed client outreach, signage, incentives, and housing pathways as methods to reduce no-shows.
•IPS is improving the referral process with IT support.
•IRP draft aims to meet state 30-day resolution encouragement.
•Large attendance at suicide-prevention event reported.
•Multiple client success stories reported (weight loss, sobriety, housing transitions).
•RDA presented mixed-methods findings on referrals, services and client outcomes.
•Workforce growth (15–20 new employees) and persistent vacancies (12%) discussed.

Decisions

•No formal policy decision recorded; recommendations to be implemented administratively and tracked.

Directions

•BHRS/IPS to continue work with IT to streamline referrals.
•BHRS to consider implementing clearer voluntary materials and outdoor signage; explore client incentives; expand partner outreach and create feedback loops.
•Members encouraged to share stakeholder contacts and support recruitment/outreach.
•Sharon will circulate stakeholder list and inquire about moving an OPC/CHC meeting to resolve scheduling conflicts.

Sep

September 24, 2026, Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Social Justice Committee Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services committee met Sept. 24, 2026 to review cultural humility efforts, language access, service barriers tied to immigration fears and economic stress, approve minutes, and identify next steps including community outreach and training.

Discussion Points

•Immigration enforcement fear linked to declines in day-program participation and increased anxiety among volunteers and clients.
•Immigration fears and economic stressors are reducing service engagement; language access beyond Spanish is a significant gap; county penetration rate cited as baseline measure.
•Need for more granular demographic data and client experience measures; county metrics used as base measures.
•New food pantry days and donation partnerships; SSP site and peer-support group schedules; Leader-for-Leader academy funding.
•State will accept integrated plan in lieu of Cultural Competence Plan updates for two years; reporting alignment being pursued.
•Translation quality and bilingual staffing are insufficient for Hmong, Punjabi and Mien speakers.

Decisions

•Approve previous meeting minutes; accept plan to solicit presenters and training resources.

Directions

•Advocate for translator involvement earlier in material creation and expand recruitment strategies.
•Align annual updates and accountability reporting with BHSA integrated plan.
•Bring flyers to next meeting; staff coordinate with D Street Shelter and partner organizations.
•Include immigration impacts in outreach plans and invite grassroots presenters.
•Staff to identify grassroots presenters and produce quarterly report for county leadership.
•Staff to strengthen workforce and language-access performance measures and present recommendations to leadership.

Aug

August 27, 2026, Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Social Justice Committee Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Cultural Humility, Health Equity & Social Justice Committee met Aug. 27, 2026 to discuss changes to MHSA cultural-competency requirements, new 2028 language-access documentation, workforce and interpreter standards, declining referrals and outreach barriers, and committee structure going forward.

Discussion Points

•Approval of minutes
•Committee discussed CLAS standards and data gaps
•Committee must decide whether to remain standalone or merge into another stakeholder body
•Counties must document cultural‑competence work in the BHSA Integrated Plan starting 2028
•Counties must document local language needs and engagement strategies by 2028
•DHCS CRLAC definition and county obligations
•DHCS provided a survey to collect language access data
•Hmong interpreter certification pathway is less developed
•Incident where a non‑Hmong interpreter misinterpreted a client and caused trauma
•Interest in Faith in the Valley presentation and school 988 card distribution suggestion
•Need to document disparities and workforce strategies
•Old MHSA standalone Cultural Competency Plan requirement ended June 30, 2026
•Potential community‑defined evidence practices in Merced
•Recommendation for Spanish interpreters to hold National Healthcare Interpreter Certification
•Referrals down significantly early in fiscal year
•Some clients decline services due to fear of losing Medi‑Cal or misperceiving outreach as CPS/SSA visits
•Staff tasked with data collection and documentation for Integrated Plan
•Transportation, childcare, rising costs are barriers to attendance

Decisions

•Minutes approved

Directions

•Collect DHCS survey data and identify threshold languages
•Collect documentation (disparities, language access, workforce, CDEPs) for Integrated Plan
•Consider WET funding for workforce development
•Document subcontractor/provider compliance in Integrated Plan
•Explore continuing‑education programs and standardized terminology for interpreters
•Explore rapid‑response trainings and faith‑based presentations
•Increase psychoeducation and outreach via community groups and CHWs
•Inventory CDEPs and document them for Integrated Plan
•Staff to collect DHCS survey data, inventory CDEPs, explore interpreter training and return with proposals
•Staff to return with proposal on committee structure
•Survey interpretation accuracy and document findings in Integrated Plan

Aug

August 27, 2026, Ongoing Planning Council Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Planning Council met Aug. 27, 2026 to begin the 2027–28 annual update of the BHSA Integrated Plan, review stakeholder outreach and community feedback from the 2026 planning cycle, and hear program and consumer updates including a Wellness Center anniversary open house on Sept. 17.

Discussion Points

•Access challenge: lower entrance often locked; call ahead
•BHRS hiring of ~21 positions to meet evidence‑based practices
•Board of Supervisors sign off if full community planning is held
•Client recovery milestones (100 days sobriety, drug court graduation)
•Collect program data tied to intended outcomes and expenditures
•Comprehensive stakeholder roster presented
•IPS employer outreach and peer support certification progress
•List of housing programs and FSP offerings
•NAMI Merced County relocated to Main Street (second floor)
•Post draft for 30 days public comment; obtain CEO/BH director sign off; send to DHCS for review
•Preliminary note that Merced County Public Health may receive ~$800,000 for suicide prevention
•Program delivery model (contracted partners vs county-operated)
•Recommendation to include public health and more internal BHRS children's staff
•Review BHSA 3‑year plan implementation (since July 1, 2026)
•Suicide Prevention event scheduled for Sept. 16, 2026

Directions

•Staff to circulate draft timeline and collect program data for annual update
•Staff to reach out to recommended stakeholders
•Staff to share vendor information and event details

Aug

August 13, 2026, Quality Improvement Committee Meeting (August 13, 2026). Minutes

The Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Quality Improvement Committee met Aug. 13, 2026. Staff announced two national awards for CARE Act/Court work and crisis stabilization services, reviewed job-code guidance for meeting time, and heard a consumer report noting an art sale that raised over $1,000; RAFT and The Center will be invited to report in future meetings.

Discussion Points

•Julianne Sims announced two national awards recognizing CARE Act/CARE Court implementation and Crisis Stabilization Services partnerships; staff cited reduced youth placement times to within seven minutes.
•Lanetta Smyth presented slides 4–10 of the Consumer Input Report and reported an art sale raised over $1,000 to support Wellness Center clients.
•Review of appropriate job codes staff should use for QIC meeting preparation time.

Directions

•Invite RAFT and The Center to provide updates at future QIC meetings.

Aug

Emergency Medical Care Committee Meeting

Merced County Emergency Medical Care Committee meeting scheduled for August 12, 2026, to receive routine EMS reports and informational updates including a paramedic program briefing and quarterly ambulance compliance figures.

Discussion Points

•Listed draft EMS Policy & Procedures for committee review
•Quarter 2 ground ambulance response compliance reporting (April–June 2026)
•Scheduled EMS Medical Director and Administrator informational reports

Jul

July 23, 2026, Ongoing Planning Council Agenda. Minutes

The Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Ongoing Planning Council met July 23, 2026 to review the triennial audit, launch the BHSA 3-year integrated plan, discuss persistent disparities and outreach strategies, announce upcoming prevention events, and approve minutes.

Discussion Points

•Barriers include systemic issues and cited federal changes affecting Medi-Cal funding.
•Capital projects include children's campus renovations and Winton Clinic work; space sought for JCID.
•Event date and partner invitations explained.
•Fundraising and upcoming client events to build engagement.
•Peer de-escalation and client reintegration success stories.
•Persistent disparities for Latino, Hmong and African American communities noted.
•Plan features: FSPs (Turning Point, La Familia), IPS, culturally specific youth programs, workforce stipends, Cornerstone LMS.
•RESTART program ending Jan 17, 2027 and resuming Jan 18 as ICM FSP.
•Triennial review and audits are primary current work for BHRS; staffing expansion under BHSA plan is underway.

Directions

•BHRS to provide a comprehensive list of programs by the Monday after the meeting.
•BHRS will provide a complete list of programs by the Monday after the meeting.
•Emphasize outreach in community locations and coordinate multi-program visits.
•Partners encouraged to plan tables and materials.

Jul

July 23, 2026, Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Social Justice Committee Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Cultural Humility, Health Equity & Social Justice Committee met July 23, 2026 to discuss Medi‑Cal enrollment barriers including six‑month lapses and a forthcoming 80‑hour volunteer work requirement, updates to the Cultural Competence Plan, equity initiatives and community outreach partnerships.

Discussion Points

•An upcoming Jan. 1 policy described in the meeting as 80‑hour monthly volunteering for beneficiaries could strain providers.
•Clients losing Medi‑Cal due to six‑month redetermination lapses, address changes and paperwork issues.
•Committee requested broader partner involvement in OPC meetings.
•Culturally relevant activities (drumming) aided engagement.
•Documentation requirements may restrict client eligibility for ECM.
•ECM programs experiencing high demand and potential payment rate issues.
•ECM programs report capacity and payment pressures; documentation rules require both mental and physical diagnoses for ECM eligibility.
•Multiple community partners are providing triage and re‑enrollment assistance.
•Outreach to Kaliya Yang and contact with Jerry Teo for workshop.
•Partner agencies report lower client visits and increased no‑shows.
•Potential two‑day workshop on strengthening families and engaging diverse communities.
•State will not update Cultural Competence Plan for 2026–2027; county to use BHSA integrated plan.
•Storytelling event reached 140 children; 97 were Spanish‑speaking.

Decisions

•Minutes approved (motion recorded)

Directions

•Coordinate HSA, Alliance and community partners for triage and re‑enrollment efforts.
•Staff to explore replicating and scaling storytelling events.
•Staff to monitor ECM provider capacity and report back.
•Staff to prepare regulatory guidance and informational briefing.
•Staff to produce an updated partner list and invite additional organizations.
•Staff to provide state regulatory guidance and bring follow‑up information to Aug. 27 meeting.
•Staff to pursue logistics and budget details.

Jun

June 11, 2026, Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Social Justice Committee Agenda. Minutes

Merced County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Cultural Humility, Health Equity & Social Justice Committee met June 11, 2026 to discuss cultural considerations, workforce shortages, the newly approved BHSA Integrated Plan (2026–2029), statewide goals (including adding suicide), community engagement strategies, and next steps including a recovery training on July 25, 2026.

Discussion Points

•Committee sought clarification on program timelines and oversight for the Integrated Plan.
•High professional shortage ranking; patients traveling for specialty care; barriers include insurance and travel.
•Improvement goals include quality of life and social connectedness; reduction goals listed without targets.
•Next Cultural Competence Plan due in 2028 should be dynamic and include service recipients.
•Next meeting set for July 23, 2026; recovery training on July 25 announced.
•Provision of practical supports (copies, faxing) at community sites to lower access barriers.
•Seven statewide goals reviewed; suicide added as local goal.
•Sustained collaboration with community organizations and meeting people in community spaces.
•Terminology impacts empowerment; suggested terms include 'individuals receiving services' and 'survivor' instead of 'victim'.

Decisions

•Approved minutes; noted the Integrated Plan approval and DHCS submission deadline.

Directions

•Align local metrics with statewide requirements and report on outcomes in future updates.
•Committee to monitor BHSA plan implementation and report back.
•Continue staff training and share cultural competence materials with the committee.
•Explore alternative workforce models (community health workers, promotoras, enhanced care managers).
•Share visual presentation materials and coordinate outreach with CBOs and city officials.
•Staff to share event and registration details.

Jun

June 11, 2026, Ongoing Planning Council Agenda. Minutes

Merced County BHRS Ongoing Planning Council reviewed the county's finalized Behavioral Health Services Act integrated plan for FY 2026 2029, confirmed program and contract launch dates (most programs and contracts to begin July 1, 2026), and heard administrative updates and outreach announcements.

Discussion Points

•Board of Supervisors approved the plan on June 2, 2026; DHCS approved revisions; the plan will be submitted June 30, 2026 and programs will launch July 1, 2026.
•Contracts to begin July 1, 2026; implementation planning ongoing; Behavioral Outcomes and Fiscal Accountability measures to be finalized this summer.
•Detailed list of new and continuing programs and named providers for FY 2026-2027.
•Next meeting set for July 23, 2026 in person at BHRS.
•Upcoming trainings and community outreach events announced; Fatherhood event scheduled for June 20, 2026 at Applegate Park.

Decisions

•Minutes approved; plan acknowledged as final and scheduled for submission.
•Next meeting date confirmed.

Directions

•Submit plan to state by June 30, 2026; launch programs July 1, 2026; finalize Behavioral Outcomes and Fiscal Accountability measures this summer.

Jun

Hills Ferry Road Bridge Ribbon Cutting

Ceremonial opening of the new Hills Ferry Bridge in Merced County, with Merced County public works director Nathan Bray and Supervisor Lloyd Pereira Jr. praising a multi-county partnership and construction teams after about 20 years of planning and roughly 14 months of construction.

Discussion Points

•Officials described the bridge design and its role linking Interstate 5 and Highway 99 and local communities.
•Speakers emphasized partnership among county, city, state and federal partners and thanked contractors.

Directions

•Attendees were directed to move to the ceremonial ribbon-cutting location to formally open the bridge.

May

May 28, 2026, Ongoing Planning Council Agenda. Minutes

Merced County MHSA Ongoing Planning Council reviewed DHCS revisions to the draft BHSA Integrated Plan ahead of a June 2 Board of Supervisors review, discussed programs launching July 1, 2026, heard consumer success stories and approved the minutes.

Discussion Points

•Committee members requested access to the latest draft prior to the Board meeting.
•DHCS returned 57 revisions after March 31 submission and later provided ~7–9 further edits; revisions focused on program descriptions and addressing disparities.
•DOOR program will transition to Individual Placement Services on July 1, 2026.
•List of programs and named partners included in the draft Integrated Plan.
•Members raised questions about provider identities, locations, and prevention funding.
•Multiple consumer success stories highlighting housing, employment and educational milestones.

Decisions

•DOOR transition to Individual Placement Services effective July 1, 2026.
•Plan scheduled for Board of Supervisors review on June 2, 2026; annual updates scheduled (first annual update due June 30, 2027).
•Programs to launch July 1, 2026; plan to be submitted by June 30, 2026.

Directions

•Staff to consider contractor meetings to clarify Medi‑Cal expectations and provider responsibilities.
•Staff to distribute the most recent draft to committee members.
•Staff to support the program transition and continue event-based engagement (e.g., Nickel arcade trip).
•The Board Agenda Item will ask that BHRS director Kimiko be authorized to make state-requested changes after BOS approval.

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