Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Tax Transparency Commission (Districts 1 and 3)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill seats on the Tax Transparency Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Tax Transparency Commission (Districts 1 and 3); or,
B. Accepting nominations and appointing as many members as Council sees appropriate and directing staff to continue the recruitment of applicants.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Direct the Clerk’s Office to continue recruitment for the vacancies.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code, Section 3.38.050.
DISCUSSION
The Tax Transparency Commission reviews projected revenues created by all voter-approved general and special tax measures (currently Measure C and Measure Y). The Commission recommends proposed expenditures in compliance with each tax measure to City Council. Appointments will be made by district.
At the Council meeting of March 21, 2022, staff was directed to return to a yearly appointment process for the reappointment of eligible members and the appointment of new applicants to vacant board or commission seats.
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, and a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment.
District 1 - The term of Alane Quien expired on July 1, 2024. The Clerk’s Office did not receive an application from Ms. Quien. Additionally, the Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Amelia Ann Johnson.
District 3 - The partial term of Michael Harris expired on July 1, 2024. Mr. Harris expressed interest in being re-appointed and is eligible for a second full term. In addition to this, the Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Daniel Spielman and Sabrina Abong.
The matter of appointment to fill two seats on the Tax Transparency Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Tax Transparency Applications
2. Current Roster