INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Merced County Recognizes Volunteers
In May, the Board of Supervisors recognized the winners of its 2018 Volunteer Recognition Program. This program is part of “National Volunteer Week” and provides an opportunity for Merced County residents to applaud the efforts of community volunteers.
Several worthy individuals and groups were nominated this year, and the Volunteer Advisory Committee selected 10 to be honored. They are:
- Antonio Lara (Dist. 1—Livingston Police Explorer Post 518)
- Floripes Dzib (Dist. 1—various volunteer efforts)
- Gloria Morris (Dist. 2—Harvest Park Education Center)
- Alpha Gamma Sigma, Gamma Tau Chapter (Dist. 2—community service and academic excellence at Merced College)
- Club Ignite (Dist. 3—community service)
- Senon Herrera (Dist. 3—Merced County Human Services Agency Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
- Winton LifeLine Community Center (Dist. 4—community service)
- Francisca Briones (Dist. 4—Delhi Community Unity, Multicultural Festival, Health Fair)
- Juan Vaca (Dist. 5—Mobile Home Park Volunteers: Santa Nella)
- Rosemarie Santos (Dist. 5—Los Banos Police Activities League)
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jerry O’Banion said the Volunteer Recognition Program, which was established by the County in 1999, is a fantastic way to bring to light some of the most incredible people and stories in Merced County.
“I’m always amazed with the group of volunteers we end up with,” O’Banion said. “There are a lot of unsung heroes in our communities, and this is one small way for the Board to recognize their efforts. These volunteers help make Merced County a great place to live.”
Merced County will start soliciting nominations for the 2019 Volunteer Recognition Program in the first quarter of next year, so keep your eyes open for outstanding volunteers!
Ceremony Honors Officers Who Made Ultimate Sacrifice
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office hosted its 13th annual Peace Officer’s Memorial Ceremony on May 14 outside of the County Administration Building.
The ceremony brought out a large crowd to honor officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The names of local officers inscribed on the Memorial Wall were read as well as the names of officers who died in the line of duty statewide in 2017.
Construction to begin soon on Campus Parkway
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday July 26 to celebrate the start of construction on Segment II of the Campus Parkway Project.
The Campus Parkway Project involves the construction of a new 4-lane expressway from Highway 99, connecting to Highway 140, and extending to Yosemite Avenue. Segment I from Highway 99 to Childs Avenue is complete. Segment II will extend the expressway over Highway 140 with an overpass, and Segment III will extend it to Yosemite Avenue. Thanks to $100 million in funding secured by Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Adam Gray through the SB 1 transportation package, funding has been secured for both remaining phases.
Campus Parkway is part of the larger “Merced Loop System” that circles the City of Merced and connects surrounding communities. The project is designed to reduce congestion, improve connection to existing highways and stimulate economic development opportunities.
Board Approves Proposed Budget
Last month, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Proposed Budget.
The $626.7 million spending plan places a primary focus on public safety, which is allocated over 54 percent of the County’s discretionary resources.
However, the spending plan emphasizes a number of other areas, including homelessness, economic development, water and County infrastructure.
While California’s economy has recovered from the Great Recession, Merced County continues to steadily stabilize. This improving economic outlook has been reflected in recent County budgets and has been capitalized upon by the Board of Supervisors as it looks to reduce the impact of future economic downturns by consistently adding to reserves. This steady and cautious fiscal approach is critical in creating a sustainable budget and lessening future impacts of a down economy.
The Proposed Budget serves as a temporary operating plan until uncertainty surrounding several economic and State impacts can be clarified. The County's Final Budget will be considered at the September 11 Board meeting.
Proposed Budget: At a Glance
The FY 18-19 Proposed Budget is $626.7 million, which is a decrease of $7.1 million from last year’s Final Budget of $633.8 million. This decrease is primarily due to the completion of the Behavioral Health Center project in April 2018. Of the $626.7 million, $476.5 million is programmatic funding and $133.4 million requires funding from local discretionary resources (net county costs).
| FY 16/17 Approved | FY 17/18 Approved | FY 18/19 Proposed |
|---|
Local Public Safety/Justice System
| $ 63.0
| $ 68.7
| $ 72.8
|
Health & Human Services
| $ 6.6
| $ 4.9
| $ 5.4
|
Municipal/Co-Wide Services
| $ 14.7
| $ 16.2
| $ 17.6
|
Support Services/CIP
| $ 37.9
| $ 38.6 | $ 37.6
|
Local Requirements
| $ 122.2
| $ 128.4 | $ 133.4
|
Project Update!
Dilapidated roads across the State have been a topic of concern for a long time now. So much a concern that it prompted the passage of the Senate Bill 1 Transportation Package in the legislature last year. Merced County isn’t immune from deteriorating roads either. In order to improve the local road system, Merced County voters approved a self-help sales tax known as Measure V. Combined, SB 1 and Measure V will draw in an additional $10.1 million for Merced County alone in 2018.
Since the passage of these revenue streams, funding is starting to be made available for use. Completed Measure V projects include: Belcher Avenue rehabilitation from Santa Fe Drive to Highway 59, the rehabilitation of Jensen Road to Bambauer Road on the west side of the County, and the installation of new sidewalks and ADA accessible ramps around Le Grand Park, complete with new ADA ramps to the restrooms. Completed SB 1 projects include: Highway 59 repaving and Highway 152 pavement replacement.
There are several other projects identified for funding through Measure V. Two examples include the Atwater- Merced Expressway and Henry Miller Road.
Did You Know?
Did you know that you can report potholes or other hazards directly to Merced County Public Works?
Road Service Requests can be made online at: www.countyofmerced.com/802/road-service-request
—OR—
by calling the Roads Office at (209) 385-7601.
Ceremony Calls Attention to Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
On the steps of the Merced County Courthouse Museum in June, the Board of Supervisors, Human Services Agency and District Attorney’s Office joined up to call awareness to an important issue: elder and dependent adult abuse.
During the press conference and resource fair, it was highlighted that in California, elder and dependent adult abuse is significantly underreported. For every case of elder or dependent adult abuse known to agencies, 24 are unknown. To help increase reporting, the Merced County DA’s Office and HSA are teaming up with older adult advocates from throughout the state to educate our communities, elected officials, and law enforcement about elder and dependent adult abuse during the KNOW ABUSE REPORT ABUSE campaign.
Elder and dependent adult abuse takes many forms, some more obvious than others. Physical, mental, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and self-neglect are recognized in state law as forms of elder and dependent adult abuse. Reports for all types of elder and dependent adult abuse are on the rise. In Merced County, referrals of abuse have increased by 20 percent every year for the past four years.
Merced County has a 24-hour hotline for reporting abuse of older adults and disabled adults who may be physically or financially abused, neglected, or exploited. The local APS number is (209) 385-3105. To report suspected abuse of an elder in a nursing home, residential care facility for the elderly, or assisted living facility, contact the State CRISISline number: 1-800-231-4024 or the Merced County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at (209) 385-7402.
New Behavioral Health Center Opens
Members of the Merced County Board of Supervisors—past and present—joined other local elected officials and community leaders in April to cut the ribbon and officially open Merced County’s New Behavioral Health Center located on 13th Street in Merced. The new facility co-located services and is greatly improving treatment.
Upcoming Meetings
| Board of Supervisors | Planning Commission |
|---|
- July 10, 2018
- July 31, 2018
- August 14, 2018
- August 28, 2018
- September 11, 2018
- September 18, 2018
Regular Board of Supervisors meetings are held on scheduled Tuesdays at 10 a.m., unless otherwise specified. Meetings are held in the Board Chambers located in the County Administration Building at 2222 M Street, Third Floor, Merced, CA 95348. | - July 11, 2018
- July 25, 2018
- August 8, 2018
- August 22, 2018
- September 12, 2018
- September 26, 2018
Regular Planning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Board Chambers located in the County Administration Building at 2222 M Street, Third Floor, Merced, CA 95348. |
| Municipal Advisory Councils |
|---|
- Delhi MAC meetings:
7 p.m. second Thursday of the month,
16091 Locust St., Delhi - Franklin-Beachwood MAC meetings:
6 p.m. fourth Wednesday of the month,
Franklin Elementary on Franklin Road - Hilmar MAC meetings:
6 p.m. fourth Monday of the month.
20077 Falke St., Hilmar - Le Grand MAC meetings:
7 p.m. first Monday of the month,
13038 E. Jefferson St., Le Grand - McSwain MAC meetings:
7 p.m. fourth Thursday of the month,
926 N. Scott Road, Merced - Planada MAC meetings:
6 p.m. first Wednesday of the month,
9167 Stanford Ave., Planada - Snelling MAC meetings:
6:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month,
Old Snelling Courthouse, SR 59, Snelling - Winton MAC meetings:
7 p.m. third Tuesday of the month,
7091 W. Walnut Ave., Winton
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