Merced supervisors plan discretionary funds discussion after heated board meeting

Tensions over the use of discretionary funds by the Board of Supervisors for projects in their districts mounted during a meeting Tuesday, but led to the board scheduling a future discussion.

The discretionary funds, a $40,000 annual allocation of taxpayer dollars that each supervisor can spend on projects of their choice, have been a hot topic in Merced County for years. But it wasn’t until District 3 Supervisor Daron McDaniel was elected in January that the issue was put back on the front burner.

McDaniel, who has voted against most of his fellow board members’ funding requests, believes the discretionary dollars should be spent on bricks-and-mortar projects, repairing public buildings and public safety, because those expenditures benefit everyone. Other board members have requested using their district funds for nonprofit organizations, local sports teams and other specialized groups.

In keeping with his campaign promises, McDaniel has voted against those items since January. He also held a workshop to help residents learn how to find and apply for grants.

But Tuesday, the Atwater supervisor had his first discretionary funding request on the agenda – using $4,000 to replace an aging wall at the county’s fire station at Castle Commerce Center.

That’s when the other supervisors, who ultimately supported the expenditure, had their say.

“I do recollect during the campaign that there was a desire not to use funds on special projects – and I respect that,” said District 5 Supervisor Jerry O’Banion. “I also think he (McDaniel) needs to respect the other board members with regard to what they desire to do with their special district funds.”

McDaniel responded by saying he meant no disrespect to fellow board members, but believes overseeing the taxpayers’ money is a top priority. McDaniel also had someone speak about how his funding request would benefit the county.

Merced County Division Chief Mark Lawson told the supervisors how badly the new wall is needed.

“It’s very old and antiquated,” Lawson told the board. “We’re just trying to provide additional support and safety, and improve the overall aesthetics.”

District 4 Supervisor Deidre Kelsey made the suggestion to schedule a formal discussion on the use of discretionary funding. The other supervisors agreed.

“I don’t have any desire to have that discussion in the newspaper,” O’Banion said. “I want to have that discussion here.”

The five districts had a combined balance of $406,429.53 in discretionary funds as of this month, according to Assistant County Executive Officer Scott De Moss.

District 2 Supervisor Hub Walsh had the most discretionary funds with $201,682.61; O’Banion had the second most with $127,371.50. District 1 Supervisor John Pedrozo had the least with $11,146.48. McDaniel had $45,929.68 and Kelsey had $20,299.26.

Pedrozo, who uses the majority of his district funding on a personal assistant, told the public Tuesday that the money goes back into benefiting the county. He “reluctantly” supported McDaniel’s request.

“Reluctantly, I am going to support this because I support anything that has to do with public safety,” Pedrozo said. “But this is taxpayer dollars going back into the county.”

After the board meeting Tuesday, McDaniel said he’s pleased to have opened the dialogue about discretionary funds. It’s unclear when the discussion will take place, but it’s planned for a future board meeting.

This story was originally published April 21, 2015 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Merced supervisors plan discretionary funds discussion after heated board meeting."