Measure B: Measure B - City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure
City of Merced · Merced County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
MEASURE B City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure Shall the measure to maintain local quality of life/ general city services, such as 911 police/ emergency medical/ natural disaster response; responding quickly to neighborhood fires/ retaining firefighters; gang prevention; addressing homelessness; fixing roads/potholes; and keeping parks safe/clean, by establishing a 1¢ sales tax, providing approximately $18,000,000 annually until ended by voters, with public disclosure, independent audits, citizen oversight, and all funds for Merced, be adopted?
In plain language
Measure B would create a new 1-cent sales tax in the City of Merced. The city says this money would keep up services. These include 911 police and emergency medical response, and disaster response. It would also help keep firefighters, prevent gangs, and address homelessness. It would fix roads and potholes and keep parks safe and clean. A YES vote sets up this 1-cent sales tax. It is expected to raise about $18,000,000 a year. This would continue until voters end it. A NO vote means this new tax is not created.
Fiscal impact
The measure creates a 1-cent sales tax. It would raise about $18,000,000 a year. It would continue until voters end it.
Impartial analysis
CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE B Measure B is the "City of Merced Vital Services Protection Measure. " If approved by the voters, it would adopt a new local Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance (the "Sales Tax Ordinance"). Measure B would increase the City's existing sales tax rate by 1 %, or one cent, on every dollar of taxable sales of goods in the City, and on the taxable storage, use or consumption in the City of goods purchased. The Measure would be a general tax, which means the tax revenue can be spent for all general City governmental purposes. The City estimates that the Measure will raise approximately $18,000,000 per year in new local revenue for use in the City. The City Council's adopted ballot question states this new revenue is for local purposes including 911 police, emergency medical, and natural disaster responses; responding quickly to neighborhood fires and retaining firefighters; youth services and gang prevention; addressing homelessness; fixing roads and potholes; and keeping parks safe and clean. The Sales Tax Ordinance would be in effect until ended by the voters. Measure B was placed on the ballot by a 6-1 vote of the City Council. The revenue from the Sales Tax Ordinance would be collected by the State of California under a contract with the City, and the revenue will be paid over to the City. Accountability over revenue and expenditures from the Sales Tax Ordinance will be provided through the City's budget process and annual independent audit, which are available to the public. Financial information also is disclosed to the public in the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other public documents. The total sales tax rate paid in Merced, which includes the sales tax collected for the State of California, Merced County, and other public agencies, is 8.25% now. There is an existing 1/2 cent sales tax in effect in the City, which is a special tax and is not affected by the proposed Measure. If the Measure is approved by the voters, the total sales tax rate paid in the City would be 9.25%, subject to any changes in state law. Sales tax is not collected on items such as prescription medications or food bought as groceries. The California Constitution requires that this proposed general tax be approved by a majority of the voters voting on the Measure. A "yes" vote on Measure B is to adopt the Sales Tax Ordinance. A "no" vote on Measure B is to not adopt the Sales Tax Ordinance. /s/ Craig J. Corwell, Merced City Attorney
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B Vote YES on B — a better deal for Merced. Merced is at a crossroads. A federal fire safety grant that pays for 24 firefighters is expiring—and won't be renewed. Our roads are a mess. We've already cut basic services like park safety to make ends meet. Enough! That's why we need Measure B. Your Yes on B vote saves Merced's emergency response, streets, and vital services with money Sacramento and DC can't take. YES on B Keeps Merced SAFE Most Fire Department calls are medical emergencies. Seconds matter, and experienced first responders are critical to saving lives. Without Measure B, Merced has no choice but to fire nearly half of our firefighter - paramedics—crippling our ability to respond fast when every second counts, and putting your life and property at risk! Measure B keeps a paramedic or medical responder on every emergency call —funded with money the federal government can't take. YES on B Keeps Merced Moving Our streets need repair. Without Measure B, Merced is forced to choose: fund lifesaving 911 response, or fix the roads at the rate YOU deserve. We can't do both without your YES vote. YES on B repairs potholes, maintains our streets, and makes roads safer for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians right here—while keeping 911 responders able to reach you fast in an emergency. Your Money. Your Merced. By law, every penny of Measure B stays in Merced. Sacramento can't touch it. Washington can't touch it. YES on B is ACCOUNTABLE: Citizen Oversight of all spending, public spending reports, and independent annual audits guarantee every dollar goes exactly where it's promised. Public safety, business, and community leaders agree: Merced can't afford to lose lifesaving services or gut everything else trying to save them. Vote YES on Measure B. Get the facts: cityofmerced.gov/MeasureB. /s/ Matthew Serratto, Mayor /s/ Austin Johnson, President, Merced City Firefighters IAFF sLocal /1479 /s/ Matthew Calcagno, President, Merced Police Officers Association (MPOA) /s/ Annissa Fragoso, Local Business Owner /s/ Joe Stefani, Local Business Owner
Argument against
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE B Vote No on Measure B. Merced families are already struggling under the weight of high infla�on, rising grocery bills, expensive u�li�es and gas prices. Measure B is a forever tax . Forcing residents to pay extra on everyday items forever is a regressive financial burden that drains millions of dollars directly out of our local economy and the pockets of households that can least afford it. True community safety does not happen in a vacuum. It requires stable housing, robust youth programming, shared green spaces, mental health support, and economic opportuni�es. Just 2 years ago, the new Measure C imposed another sales tax with 95% of its revenue dedicated to Police and Fire. And now this Council is back asking for more money for Police and Fire. This is a spending and priority failure. The City historically and con�nues to allocate more than 75% of its General Fund budget to Police and Fire. This new tax measure is disingenuous and will con�nue to funnel another $16M annually from our community to Police and Fire. As a general sales tax, there is no guarantee that this tax revenue will go to parks, youth investment, or street repair. Demand that this City makes real investments into community safety and builds a Merced for all residents. Vote NO on Measure B. It is �me our City to invest in community needs. /s/ LaTanya Richard, Community Member /s/ Adam Shane, Nurse, Parent, Community Member /s/ Marilyn Sobel, Community Member, Retiree /s/ Jasmine Diaz-Shane, Parent, Community Member, Independent Contractor /s/ Fue Xiong, Councilmember
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.