Public safety sales tax for Merced County now on ballot for sheriff’s patrols, Cal Fire
The Merced County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to add a half-cent sales tax on the ballot for November’s election that would be directed to boost public safety.
Officials say the sales tax, known as the Merced County Public Safety Stabilization Act, would generate approximately $25 million annually that would aid fire departments, the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors approved placing the sales tax on the ballot during Tuesday’s meeting. It requires two-thirds yes votes to pass.
“We’re healthy, but not wealthy,” said Merced County Supervisor Daron McDaniel. “Well, our health is starting to dwindle a little bit, because just the cost of everything is going up.”
“I hope the community embraces this and sees what we’re doing,” McDaniel added. “I hate taxes, for one, but if I know what I’m getting for a tax, a tax that stays local and gives us local control, and it goes directly to public safety... they will see the results of that for sure.”
The measure establishes a 1/2 cent sales tax collected county wide for 30 years.
Merced County has struggled to maintain adequate public safety staffing levels, leading to struggles in the levels of service in the areas of law enforcement and fire protection.
The safety tax proposal was drafted by Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira and in cooperation with Cal Fire.
Where the money is going
The measure is structured so that 80% of the revenue would be allocated to Merced County public safety expenses. Of the 80% annual revenue collected, 52% would be for the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, 15% for the district attorney’s office, and 33% for Merced County Fire.
The other 20% would go to city and town programs. Each city share would be distributed proportionally by population with no city receiving less than $250,000.
Warnke has stated loudly that the sheriff’s office has been facing dramatic staffing shortages. Warnke told the board that the department is down 25% in operational staff, including patrol deputies.
“The issue at hand is that the citizens of this county deserve absolutely the best that we can provide,” Warnke said. “And this tool, I’ll call it, is going to be a necessary endeavor so that we can provide these services. I hate the idea of answering the phone, and we don’t have anybody to send.”
How the funds will help
Warnke says the goal is for the extra funds to help fill the gap of the personnel shortage.
Cal Fire has also seen budget cuts force the Board of Supervisors to close two stations in the county. In May the board voted to consolidate fire station 92 in Ballico and fire station 64 in Cressey and the consolidation of fire station 76 in Dos Palos with fire station 75 in Dos Palos Wye into a single unified station in Dos Palos Wye.
“This is going to be a long term fix,” said Mark Pimentel, Cal Fire/Merced County Fire Department assistant chief. “It’s going to help us provide the services that the county has been used to.”
Silveira says the funds will be vital in recruitment and retention of prosecutors in her office.
“I’m hoping to create better incentives for people to come to Merced right now, more competitive pay, because we’re dealing with a lot of prosecutors going to neighboring counties,” Silveira said.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors came in right under the gun of approving the ballot measure just three days before the deadline to submit the ballot language to the Registrar of Voters.
“Now is the right time to do this,” said Merced County Supervisor Josh Pedrozo, as he pointed out the fire station closings and staffing issues with the sheriff’s department.
“I think it’s imperative that we support this,” Pedrozo added. “I’m hoping that the the county residents recognize the importance of this. I know nobody likes taxes, but I think it’s important that you know when you’re taxed, we understand that this is what it’s going for.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2024 at 1:15 PM.
