Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution to Accept the Grant Award of $112,026 from the California Department of Justice California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 Proposition 56 Grant for the Police Department to Conduct the Following Operations on Overtime Status: Shoulder Tap Enforcement Operations, Minor Decoy Enforcement Operations, Retail License Inspections, and Officer Education
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from the California Department of Justice (CADOJ) offered to the Merced Police Department in the amount of $112,026 from the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 Proposition 56 Grant to conduct the following operations on overtime status: shoulder tap enforcement operations, minor decoy enforcement operations, retail license inspections, and officer education.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2026-05, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, to accept the grant funds in the amount of $112,026 from the State of California Department of Justice, Office of Attorney General, Tobacco Law Enforcement Grant Program and approving the Memorandum of Understanding; and,
B. Accepting FY2025 State of California Department of Justice grant funds in the amount of $112,026; and,
C. Approving increase in revenue in the amount of $57,188 in Fund 1000-General Fund (Police Division) and appropriating the same for conducting the enforcement operations; and,
D. Authorizing the use of pooled cash until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
E. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 (Proposition 56) provides local public agencies with funding to promote a healthier California by reducing illegal sales and marketing of cigarettes and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. The Office of the Attorney General makes these annual funds available to local law enforcement agencies through the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program.
Approved by voters in 2016, Prop. 56 increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by $2.00 starting in April 2017.
The due date for submitting applications was June 20, 2025. The MPD met this deadline with its application.
The Tobacco Grant Program award process is highly competitive, and for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 grant cycle, the Department received approximately $50,000,000 in requests. Selected public agencies will be funded for a two-year or three-year cycle. Funding amount will be evaluated based on the submitted grant proposal. Selected public agencies will be required to submit a resolution from their governing body authorizing acceptance of the grant funding.
The CADOJ offered the MPD a grant in the amount of $112,026 that runs from November 21, 2025, through June 30, 2029. It includes the following objectives:
• Conduct 6 shoulder tap enforcement operations
• Conduct 6 minor decoy enforcement operations
• Conduct 60 retail license inspection operations
• Conduct 2 officer education presentations
All operations will be conducted on overtime status.
There is $2,350 for supplies such as cameras, binoculars, and earphones to improve decoy safety.
There is no match on this grant.
This grant is a reimbursement grant. Expenses are incurred and then requests for reimbursement are submitted on either a monthly or quarterly basis.
History and Past Actions
This is the second time that the MPD has received grant funding from this funding source.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Since the grant period begins on November 21, 2025, through June 30, 2025, staff is asking Council to accept and appropriate $57,188 in fiscal year 2025-26 to cover enforcement operation as listed on the Memorandum of Understanding (attachment 2). The remaining balance of $54,838 will be included in fiscal year 2026-27 annual budget process.
This item will require five affirmative votes for City Council approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Grant Agreement
2. Resolution 2026-05