Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Merced public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in business jobs
Mural RFP artist pay dispute
Muralist Eddie Rodriguez pushed back hard on the council's 'spread the love' approach to spreading public art commissions, arguing the funding is insufficient and artists will lose money on the project.
Airport terminal replacement checkpoint costs
An unforeseen $100,000 expense to relocate TSA security equipment into the new terminal was covered from the economic development opportunity fund.
Loss of UPS air cargo service
UPS pulled its small cargo flights nationally, switching to trucks, so the airport loses that cargo operation. Staff said the fees involved were small relative to the airport's growth plans.
Terminal advertising fee schedule
The airport wants to sell ad space inside the new terminal — from $10,000 institutional anchor packages to $750 nonprofit spots — as a new revenue stream. The board recommended the City Council approve it as a two-year pilot.
Difficulty filling Senior Accountant (payroll) position
The city couldn't find at least three qualified candidates for the senior accountant payroll job, so the recruitment was reopened. Finance is now reviewing applications in a second round.
Card Room Table Expansion
The state changed the law in 2024, and the city's only operating card room wants room to grow. If the drafted ordinance is eventually adopted, Merced card rooms could go from 12 tables to as many as 22 by 2042.