Measure C pushed by Merced mayor. Failure would be a ‘real death blow’
Measure C, a half-cent sales tax that funds public safety and essential city services, is up for renewal on the ballot in the March primary election in the city of Merced.
Measure C was passed by voters in 2006 and since the local sales tax has significantly bolstered Merced’s police and fire departments, as well as public works projects like road and street improvements.
However, the measure was only granted a 20-year lifespan and is slated to expire in 2026.
City officials estimate that without Measure C, Merced would face a $7 million annual budgetary shortfall, according to information previously provided by the city.
Measure C roughly funds 30 police and fire department jobs, according to Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto.
“It would be a real death blow if Measure C is not renewed,” Serratto said. “It’s not just going to affect police, fire and public safety. It would trickle down to parks and housing. There would be massive layoffs. There would be freezing of public safety programs, longer response times from police and fire, less detectives, less gang enforcement and eventually we’d have to pull money from other areas.”
The measure has generated $105 million since it passed in 2006, according to city officials.
If approved by voters, Measure C would again have a 20-year lifespan and would be reviewed by a citizen’s oversight committee. To pass, Measure C needs a majority vote.
Measure C has the backing of local police and fire unions.
Proponents faced obstacles getting the renewal back on the ballot. The Merced City Council declined to put the renewal before voters in 2022.
The Committee for a Safer Merced gathered nearly 5,000 signatures to petition to put Measure C back on the ballot for a city-wide vote in March.
The only difference between the current version and the version on the 2024 ballot is the measure will be a special tax, meaning it can only be used for public safety and some road maintenance.
Currently Measure C is a general tax which means it can be used for any city expenditure.
“Our city depends on Measure C in many ways,” Serratto said. “It’s integral funds for the city. The average sales tax in the state is 8.75% and some cities are as high as 10%. Merced’s sales tax is 8.25%. We use that money to help pay for 30 police and fire jobs.”
