UPDATE: Vital Services Protection Measure Placed on November Ballot

On Monday, August 3, the Merced City Council voted to place the City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

If approved by voters, the measure would enact a 1-cent local sales tax to help maintain the City’s financial stability and preserve general City services residents have identified as priorities, including fire protection and firefighter-paramedic emergency medical response, 911 emergency response, street and pothole repair, and safe, clean parks and public spaces, among other services.

Community feedback gathered through the Let’s Talk Merced outreach effort helped the City better understand which services residents consider most important as the City plans for ongoing financial challenges.

The City has issued a press release with additional information about the measure, the community outreach process, and the services identified as priorities.

Read the full press release on this page and visit the FAQ section for additional information about the Vital Services Protection Measure.

Community Outreach and Service Priorities

Earlier this year, the City of Merced launched Let’s Talk Merced to hear directly from residents about the City services and community priorities that matter most to them.

As the City prepared for its 2026/27 budget, increasing costs, changes in state and federal funding, and growing demands for City services created ongoing financial challenges. The City asked residents to help identify the services they believe should be prioritized as future budget decisions are made.

Through community outreach and surveys, residents identified several priorities, including:

• Addressing homelessness and encampments
• Responding quickly to neighborhood fires
• Preventing gang activity
• Protecting and maintaining 911 police response and the ability to respond to natural disasters and medical emergencies
• Fixing potholes and maintaining streets
• Maintaining Merced’s quality of life
• Keeping City parks safe and clean

The feedback received through Let’s Talk Merced helped inform the City Council’s discussion about how to maintain essential City services and address the City’s long-term financial needs.

On August 3, 2026, the City Council voted to place the City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure on the November ballot.

Have questions? Visit the FAQ section of this project site for additional information about the measure and the City’s financial outlook.