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File #: 25-742    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Action Items Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 8/5/2025 In control: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
On agenda: 8/18/2025 Final action:
Title: SUBJECT: Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation from the Unreserved, Unencumbered Fund Balance in the General Fund in the Amount of $53,250 and Approval of a Service Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to Facilitate a Community Assessment and Public Opinion Survey REPORT IN BRIEF Considers approving a supplemental appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in the General Fund in the amount of $53,250; and, approving a Service Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to facilitate a community assessment and public opinion survey. RECOMMENDATION City Council - Adopt a motion: A. Approving a supplemental appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in the General Fund in the amount of $53,250 in City Manager Division; and, B. Approving a Service Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group in the amount of 53,250; and, C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Attachments: 1. The Lew Edwards Group Professional Services Agreement
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst, Scott McBride, City Manager

Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Supplemental Appropriation from the Unreserved, Unencumbered Fund Balance in the General Fund in the Amount of $53,250 and Approval of a Service Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to Facilitate a Community Assessment and Public Opinion Survey

REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a supplemental appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in the General Fund in the amount of $53,250; and, approving a Service Agreement with the Lew Edwards Group to facilitate a community assessment and public opinion survey.

RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:

A. Approving a supplemental appropriation from the unreserved, unencumbered fund balance in the General Fund in the amount of $53,250 in City Manager Division; and,

B. Approving a Service Agreement with The Lew Edwards Group in the amount of 53,250; and,

C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by the City Manager; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to staff for further study.

AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.

CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026 Budget.

DISCUSSION
The City of Merced continues to prioritize long-term strategic planning for its public facilities and essential services. In alignment with past Council directives and community engagement efforts, staff is recommending approval of a supplemental appropriation of $53,250 from the Unreserved, Unencumbered Fund Balance in the General Fund. This funding will support a new service agreement with the Lew Edwards Group (LEG) to conduct a Community Assessment and Public Opinion Survey, in partnership with FM3 Research.

The purpose of this contract is to assess community priorities and gauge potential support for future public investment, including infrastructure and quality-of-life initiatives.

The propose...

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