Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Tax Transparency Commission (District 2, 3, 4, 5, and At-Large)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill 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 (District 2, 3, 4, 5, and At-Large); 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
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.
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.
On November 8, 2022, two members announced their resignation. Additionally, on January 1, 2023, two terms expired leaving the Tax Transparency with two active members. Both expired members, Commissioner Cristina Garcia (District 3 Position) and Michael Harris (At-Large Position) are interested in being reappointed and are eligible for reappointed. On February 14, 2023, the Tax Transparency Commission meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum.
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, radio interview on Community Conversations, and a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 3,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment.
District 2 - The term of Cristina Garcia expired on January 1, 2023. Ms. Garcia has expressed an interest in being reappointed and is eligible for reappointment. An additional eligible application for this seat was received from Anthony Aldana.
District 3 - On November 8, 2022, Vice-Chair Cody Bijou announced his resignation during the Tax Transparency Commission meeting. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Michael Harris (currently interested in being reappointed to the At-Large position) and Daniel Spielman.
District 4 - On November 8, 2022, Member Glenn Davis announced his resignation during the Tax Transparency Commission meeting. The Clerk’s Office has received eligible applications from Michael De Ayora and Matthew Michael.
District 5 - This seat has been vacant since the move to appointment by Council district in 2021. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Alison Kostecky, Gloria Keene, and Susan Savage.
At-Large - The term of Michael Harris expired on January 1, 2023. Mr. Harris has expressed an interest in being reappointed and is eligible for reappointment. The Clerk’s Office has also received additional applications from Richard (Rick) Wendling (Served a partial term on Citizens Oversight Committee from April 25, 2016 to July 29, 2017) and Celestial Booker.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Tax Transparency Applications
2. Current Roster