Vote NO on Measure B
Attn: City of Merced Residents and Shoppers – Say NO to a new sales tax
Vote NO on Measure B
Here’s why:
Current taxes should fund basic police, fire, roads, and parks before the city adds another permanent sales tax.
=> Measure B would add a new 1% city sales tax.
=> The city sales tax rate would increase from 8.25% to 9.25%.
=> As written, the tax would stay in place until voters repeal it.
=> the city estimates this tax would take ~ $18 million a year from residents & local businesses.
DETAILS:
=> The Current tax for a sale inside the City of Merced is 8.25%:
• 6.00% — State portion for state programs
• 1.00% — Local jurisdiction (split city or county)
• 0.25% — Local Transportation Fund (county)
• 0.50% — City Measure C (public safety and roads)
• 0.50% — County Measure V (countywide transportation)
=> 2005 Measure C: Established a one-half % sales tax for police, fire, roads; renewed in 2024, and expires in 2044
=> 2005 Measure C Generates roughly $8–9 million annually (ref: Merced’s 2024 Financial report page 104 of 127)
=> 2017 Measure V: Merced’s share of transportation sales tax thru 2047 is ~ $2 million annually (ref: Measure V Allocation report)
=> 2018 Measure Y: taxes Marijuana businesses to fund Merced Police, Fire, Parks, Recreation services, 911 emergency response; neighborhood-based policing; fire/gang prevention services; skilled police officers and firefighters; and safe, clean parks
=> 2018 Measure Y: generates $1M to $2M annually (ref: City Financial Report pg 17 of 127)
=> Merced has (51) Community Facility Districts (CDFs) that collect revenue via Mello-Roos to cover neighborhood services (Ref: CDF Listing)
=> 2025 City of Merced CDF ‘Ending Fund Balance’ was reported at $11,449,704 (Ref: pg 3)
=> AB 104 allocated approx $200M for various homelessness services
=> Neither the measure’s Full Text nor the Statement in Favor explain why the revenue sources listed above, plus the general fund, cannot cover various core services.
=> City council resolution calling for this measure to be brought to the voters is missing
References:
• 2024 Measure C, Ballot Initiative and Results:
• City of Merced 2024 Financial report: https://www.cityofmerced.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24127/639099558643770000
• Measure V Allocation for City of Merced:
• City of Merced Measure V Project List:
• 2018 Measure Y, Ballot Imitative and Results: https://ballotpedia.org/Merced,_California,_Measure_Y,_Marijuana_Business_Tax_(June_2018)
• City of Merced CDF List:
• 2025 City of Merced CDF Services Report:
• AB 104 State of CA Budget
• Measure B Question
• Measure B Full Text
• Measure B Impartial Analysis
• Measure B Argument in Favor
• Measure B Argument Against
