Report Prepared by: John Tresidder, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk's Office
Title
SUBJECT: Appointments to the Tax Transparency Commission by District, Appointment to the At-Large Seat and Appointment of a Liaison to a Vacant District Seat
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers appointing sitting commission members to Council District seats as required by Ordinance 2525.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion appointing sitting commission members to District 1, District 3, District 4, District 6, the At-Large Seat, and appoint the remaining member as a liaison to either District 2 or District 5.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint, as recommended; or,
2. Appoint, subject to other than recommended; or,
3. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Chapters 3.38.050 and 2.56 of the Merced Municipal Code
DISCUSSION
In November of 2005, a general tax measure to fund Police and Fire personnel, as well as road projects and repairs (Measure C), was adopted by the electorate of the City of Merced. A stipulation of the ordinance is that an independent oversight committee be formed to review tax revenue and to ensure the money is being used as the ordinance intended.
In June of 2018, a special tax measure was adopted by the electorate in order to tax legalized cannabis businesses that operate in the City of Merced (Measure Y). The tax is meant to supplement funding for the Recreation and Parks Departments, the Police Department and the Fire Department. The adopted ordinance, like Measure C, requires a committee be formed to review revenue and expenditures and make recommendations to the City Council.
Over the past several years, the Citizens Oversight Measure C Committee has experienced a high turnover rate in membership, with many departing members stating that, while they still review the tax revenue, the expenditures are mostly used for personnel in both Fire and Police, which does not leave any room for new recommendations to the Council. With that statement in mind, staff approached the...
Click here for full text