Measure R, a sales tax for public safety, failing to gain approval from Merced County voters
Measure R, known as the Merced County Public Safety Stabilization Act, appears to be falling short of the two-thirds yes votes from Merced County voters needed for approval.
After the most recent voting results released Wednesday, Measure R had received 19,888 votes or 58.31% of the 34,106 total votes counted.
Officials say the sales tax 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 in August.
“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.”
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.
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 the sheriff’s office has been facing dramatic staffing shortages. The department is down 25% in operational staff, including patrol deputies, according to Warnke.
Cal Fire has also seen budget cuts force the Board of Supervisors to close two stations in the county.
Silveira says the funds will be vital in recruitment and retention of prosecutors in her office.
This story was originally published November 6, 2024 at 11:11 AM.
