Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Tax Transparency Commission (Districts 2 and 6)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill two (2) 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 2 and 6); 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
Tax Transparency Commission Roles
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.
Past Council Actions
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.
Appointments - Terms
Members appointed to a Board or Commission shall serve a term of four years. When members resign or leave the Board or Commission in which they serve, the term dates remain the same. Per the Municipal Code, Sections 702 and 702.1, a "term" shall be defined to include serving fifty percent plus one day of a term as a board member or commissioner on a particular board or commission. Members who are appointed to a term that is less than fifty percent, are considered to serve partial terms. Additionally, partial terms begin once the member has been officially appointed to a Board or Commission by the City Council.
Recruitment
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, a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment, and public notices sent to Merced County Times.
Applications
District 2 - The term for District 2 became vacant with the resignation of Anthony Aldana in April 2025. The applicant appointed to this seat will serve a partial term ending on July 1, 2027. The Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Dina Gonzalez.
District 6 - The term of Douglas Piuser expired on January 1, 2025. Mr. Piuser was not interested in being re-appointed for a second term. The applicant appointed to this seat will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. The Clerk’s Office received an eligible application from Jerry Vue.
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