FAQs
- The proposed assessment increase will fund enhanced landscape maintenance within the District. This includes additional weed abatement, litter pickup, irrigation, pruning, plant and tree replacement, fertilizing, mowing, edging, and other necessary public landscaping and open-space maintenance activities.
- Maintenance costs have significantly increased over the years. Previously, District reserve funds were used to cover budget shortfalls, but these reserves are now inadequate. Current assessment revenue is no longer sufficient to maintain street, park strips, and open-space landscaping to acceptable standards.
- Without the increase, the District will not have enough funds to maintain landscaping and public improvements at acceptable levels. This may lead to reduced or deferred maintenance in your neighborhood.
- Complete the enclosed ballot by marking your choice, signing it, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided.
- You may also hand deliver your ballot to the City Clerk’s Office:
- All ballots must be received (not postmarked) no later than the close of the public hearing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during the City Council meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- Only ballots that are returned will be counted. A non-response will not count as support or opposition.
- Ballots will be officially counted at:
- No. Votes are weighted based on each parcel’s assessment amount.
- Example: A property assessed $100 annually has twice the voting weight of a property assessed $50.
- A majority protest occurs if more than 50% of the weighted ballots returned oppose the proposed assessment. If a majority protest exists, the proposed increase cannot be imposed.
- Results are expected to be reported to the City Council at their meeting on:
- Your assessment may increase or decrease depending on annual operating costs.
- The assessment will be levied annually, up to the CPI-adjusted maximum. Any increase beyond that maximum requires a new property owner vote.
- All District assessment funds:
- Are deposited into a dedicated account
- May only be used for maintenance within the District
- Are deposited into a dedicated account
- May only be used for maintenance within the District
- Are documented annually in an Engineer’s Report and budget available for public review
- CPI increases using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website data for All Urban Consumers, West will be utilized to increase assessments at a reasonable rate as to keep up with inflation
Are these all established districts that we would see on our current property tax bill?
Yes, these are established Districts. More information can be found on the current tax bill from the County.
What types of improvements or services will be provided if the proposed assessment increase is approved?
Why is an assessment increase being proposed?
What happens if the proposed assessment increase is NOT approved?
How do I vote?
678 W. 18th Street, 1st Floor, Merced, CA 95340
What if I don’t return my ballot?
When will ballots be counted?
8:00 AM on January 21, 2026
Sam Pipes Conference Room
Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th Street
Do all property owners’ votes count equally?
What determines a “majority protest”?
When will the results be announced?
February 2, 2026
If approved, will my assessment increase every year?
Any increase is limited to the maximum annual amount adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Any increase above the CPI-adjusted maximum would require another ballot and property owner approval.
How is the assessment amount calculated?
What accountability measures are in place?
Are documented annually in an Engineer’s Report and budget available for public
How will this process and planned increase support the City moving forward?
It will help fund the necessary materials and maintenance required for the districts, such as storm pumps, landscape maintenance, plant and tree
What checks and balances will the City put in place to ensure responsible, well-managed increases in the future?
All District assessment funds:
Could you provide an itemized list of expenses so we can understand the difference between the fees currently collected and the costs of maintaining the district?
Expenses vary by district as some are Landscape Districts only, Storm Drain only and some have both services.