Report Prepared by: John Tresidder, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk's Office
Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Final Adoption of an Ordinance Adding the "Tax Transparency Commission" to the Merced Municipal Code to Consolidate all Current and Future Tax Oversight Committees Into One Oversight Commission
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second Reading and final adoption of an ordinance to consolidate all current and future tax measure oversight commissions into a single commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2510, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, adding chapter 2.56, "Tax Transparency Commission," to the Merced Municipal Code.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt as recommended by staff; or,
2. Adopt with amendments (specify in motion); or,
3. Continue to a future meeting; or,
4. Deny
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200, Section 405, Section 413, and Section 700.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Aligns with City Council priority for governmental transparency.
DISCUSSION
In November of 2005, a 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 Department, 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 statin...
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