Report Prepared by: Jennifer Parsley, Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: District Two Candidate Presentations/Q&A with City Council/Closing Remarks
REPORT IN BRIEF
Qualified District Two Candidates will present oral presentations regarding their application for appointment to the current District Two Council Seat Vacancy followed by a Q&A period with City Council members and then closing remarks by Candidates.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion appointing a qualified elector of the City of Merced to the District Two Council seat vacancy to serve until the first Tuesday following the next General Municipal Election and until a successor is elected and qualified.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint as recommended; or
2. Call a Special Election at a later date for April, May or June 2026 to fill the District Two Vacancy.
AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter Article IV Section 403.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Council Goals and Priorities.
DISCUSSION
On October 7, 2025, Councilmember Ronnie DeAnda submitted a letter of resignation to the City Clerk, indicating that his resignation from the District Two seat will be effective October 31, 2025. Councilmember DeAnda was elected to the Merced City Council on December 5, 2022, and has served with distinction and dedication to the residents of District Two and the entire community.
The Council adopted a resolution formally accepting Councilmember DeAnda’s resignation and declares the District Two City Council seat vacant as of November 3, 2025. Section 403(C) of the City of Merced Charter governs vacancies in elective offices. Under this provision, when a vacancy arises “from whatever cause,” the City Council must either (1) appoint a qualified elector of the City to fill the vacancy within thirty (30) days after the office is declared vacant, or (2) if no appointment is made within that timeframe, call a special election to fill the vacancy. The appointed or elected individual shall serve until the first Tuesday following the next general municipal election and until a successor is elected and qualified.
Adoption of that resolution began the formal process required by the Charter to fill the vacant District Two seat. Council decided to accept applications from qualified electors of the City, they set a deadline date of November 21, 2025 for the Clerk’s Office to accept applications and to hold a special meeting to conduct interviews on December 2, 2025.
At the November 17, 2025, City Council meeting, Council discussed the format of the Special Meeting, the type of questions they will ask the applicants, and the time each applicant will have.
The Clerk’s Office received (insert number) applications there were verified through the Merced County Registrar of Voters. The applications are attached for consideration and the applicants are required to be present at the Special Meeting.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None at this time. The only impact on resources would be if the vacancy is not filled and Council has to call a Special Election.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applications