Merced County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County boards weigh land-use, groundwater fees; decisions pending

Over the past two weeks, Merced County boards and advisory councils met to consider land-use requests, groundwater fee changes, and routine reports. Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, so no decisions are confirmed. The most consequential items were before the Planning Commission and the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

Planning Commission

On Aug. 12, the Merced County Planning Commission held public hearings on three land-use requests. The commission was to vote on each, along with associated environmental determinations, but no results are available.

• **Minor Subdivision MS26-011 (Judy Souza):** Split about 210 acres into two parcels (128.69 and 91.25 acres) on River Road, Stevinson. CEQA review under Section 15162.
• **Minor Subdivision MS25-023 (Alexander Camerino):** Divide a 19.4-acre parcel into four 1-acre parcels plus a 15.4-acre remainder on East Cardella Road, Merced. Categorically exempt under Section 15315.
• **Conditional Use Permit CUP26-005 (Luis Bravo):** Expand truck parking and construct a 4,800 sq ft metal building for truck repairs on North Ashby Road, Franklin-Beachwood. Categorically exempt under Section 15303.

Groundwater Sustainability Agency

On Aug. 13, the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Governing Board considered amendments to its Rules and Regulations to include Phase 2 Funding Mechanism fees in Opt-in and Misclassified Land Use fees. The board also reviewed a budget reallocation for the Bear Creek Ranch Transitional Seeding Project under the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program and was asked to approve payment of invoices totaling $293,927.22 since July 9, 2026. No votes have been published.

Advisory councils

Several municipal advisory councils met with routine agendas.

• **Planada MAC (Aug. 12):** Heard updates on road infrastructure, planning projects (including 20 Mil, Golden Valley Clinic, and Subdivision No. MAS26-002), and a report on Planada Community Hall usage.
• **Delhi MAC (Aug. 12):** Received informational reports from Sheriff, CHP, Fire, and other agencies, plus a presentation by Cultiva Valle Central on health equity services.
• **Winton MAC (Aug. 18):** Heard reports from the Sheriff's Department, CHP, Cal Fire, and local agencies. A college was scheduled to present under new business.
• **Snelling MAC (Aug. 20):** Discussed with County Public Works a possible change to the Montgomery Street speed hump and street designation.

Other meetings

The First 5 Merced Commission meeting on Aug. 10 was cancelled. The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Quality Improvement Committee met Aug. 13 for routine oversight, including performance indicators on grievances and appeals, medication monitoring, and prior authorization data. That meeting was confidential under California Evidence Code 1157.

Coming up

• **Aug. 26 – Probation – Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission:** Vote on a bylaw update for 2-year chair/vice-chair terms and approve minutes from May 27, 2026. Closed session on critical incidents and youth grievances.
• **Aug. 26 – Castle Standing Committee:** Meeting cancelled.
• **Aug. 26 – Planning Commission:** Public hearings on a zone variance and minor subdivision in Hilmar (ZV26-001/MS26-001), a conditional use permit for agricultural tourism in Le Grand (CUP25-021), and a minor subdivision in Winton (MS26-008). All items are recommended for approval by staff.
• **Aug. 27 – BHRS-MHSA Ongoing Planning Council:** Kick off the Behavioral Health Services Act Annual Update for 2027-2028 and discuss the community planning process.

Merced County meetings: Groundwater cover crop policy, routine boards on agenda

This week's Merced County government meetings include a groundwater sustainability committee reviewing a possible change to cover crop rules, plus routine sessions for the Le Grand advisory council, behavioral health board, and treasury oversight. All four meetings are agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions have been reported.

Groundwater Sustainability Agency (July 28)

The Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency's Technical Advisory Committee will review a proposed modification to the cover crop policy within the Groundwater Allocation Rule. The committee may recommend the modification, which would be a step toward changing how cover crops are treated under the rule. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from the May 26, 2026, meeting and a public comment period for matters within the agency's jurisdiction.

Le Grand Municipal Advisory Council (Aug. 3)

The Le Grand Municipal Advisory Council held its regular meeting Aug. 3. The agenda was largely procedural and informational, with no previous or new business listed. Items included approval of minutes, public comments limited to five minutes per speaker, and department reports from the Sheriff, CHP, Fire, Planning, Public Works, and the CEO's office. District One Supervisor Jim Pacheco gave a supervisor's report. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Behavioral Health Board (Aug. 4)

The Merced County Behavioral Health Advisory Board met Aug. 4 for its regular quarterly meeting. The agenda included a roll-call vote on approval of the July 7, 2026, meeting minutes, a public input period for non-agenda items, and a director's report on Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Committee reports were also scheduled.

Treasury Oversight Committee (Aug. 4)

The Merced County Treasury Oversight Committee met Aug. 4 to discuss treasury operations, market conditions, and legislative updates. The committee reviewed the quarterly investment report for the period ending June 30, 2026, including portfolio allocations by security, distributions, and historic book values. It also reviewed the LAIF Performance Report and CAMP Monthly Distribution Yields.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Merced County meeting roundup: Planning Commission eyed residential extensions; behavioral health and groundwater bodies met

Planning Commission: residential extension applications

The Merced County Planning Commission held public hearings July 22 on two extension applications tied to residential projects. Because minutes have not yet been published, the outcomes of the votes are not confirmed in the available record.

The agenda listed Extension Application EXT26-001, which would extend the First Term Extension of Development Agreement DA19-001 from three to six years for a 458-acre low-density residential site between State Highway 33 and South Hilldale Avenue, zoned R-1-15000.

The Commission also considered Extension Application EXT26-015, which would extend the expiration of Major Subdivision MAS21-004 (Hillcrest Estates) by two years to July 27, 2028. The site is at the southwest corner of East Old Lake Road and North Hillcrest Drive (APN 170-110-006, zoned R-R).

Staff recommended for both items that no further environmental review is required under CEQA Sections 15182 and 15183.

Behavioral health councils met July 23

The BHRS-MHSA Ongoing Planning Council met July 23 to review the BHSA Integrated Plan, county disparities, outreach efforts, and a suicide-prevention event. The agenda also listed quarterly data reports, a Behavioral Health Outcomes Transparency Accountability Report, and administrative changes. No formal actions were listed.

The same day, the BHRS Cultural Humility, Health Equity, and Social Justice Committee reviewed updates to the Cultural Competence Plan and the Cultural and Linguistic Needs Assessment. The agenda included discussion of partnerships with community-based organizations and engagement strategies for youth, families, and older adults.

Minutes for both meetings are not yet published.

Law Library Board: director salary adjustment in closed session

The Merced County Public Law Library Board met July 23 at 12:00 p.m. The agenda included action items to approve meeting minutes for April 23, 2026 and May 27, 2026, and an information item reviewing library budget, income, and usage statistics for the last three months.

The agenda listed public comment on a potential resource-sharing partnership presented by Deputy CEO Jane Van Volten, and an information item on the contract between MCLL and Merced County. A closed session addressed part-time holiday pay, employee performance evaluations, and a salary adjustment for the Law Library Director.

Outcomes are not confirmed because minutes are not yet published.

Groundwater agency: cover crop policy review

The Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency's Technical Advisory Committee met July 28. The agenda listed review and possible recommendation of a cover crop policy modification to the groundwater allocation rule, approval of minutes from the May 26, 2026 TAC meeting, and a public comment period.

Minutes are not yet published, so any recommendation is not confirmed.

Coming up

• **Behavioral Health Board** — Aug. 4, 2026. Routine quarterly meeting including approval of July 7, 2026 minutes, public input on non-agenda items, and the director's report on Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.
• **Treasury Oversight Committee** — Aug. 4, 2026. Review of the Quarterly Investment Report for the period ending June 30, 2026, including portfolio allocations and distributions, plus the LAIF Performance Report and CAMP Monthly Distribution Yields.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are agenda-only; minutes have not been published. Vote outcomes and final actions are not confirmed in the available record.

Merced County boards weigh groundwater contracts, road projects, and land-use decisions in busy July stretch

Several Merced County advisory bodies and commissions held meetings between July 6 and July 16, 2026. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, the items below reflect what each body was scheduled to consider, not confirmed outcomes. The largest dollar figures appeared before the Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, which was set to act on a $246,674 contract amendment.

Groundwater agency considers $246,674 contract and allocation-rule changes

The Merced Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency board met July 9 and was scheduled to vote on a $246,674 amendment to its basinwide contract with Woodard and Curran for FY2026/27 support. The board was also set to approve $21,000 for Provost & Pritchard Consulting to continue subsidence benchmark monitoring.

Additional items on the agenda included changing the inactive-parcel designation deadline to May 1 and reopening the delineation period through August 31, 2026; reviewing appeals to reverse staff denials of alternative-source water credits for Modesto Properties, Inc. and JLP Ventures, LLC; and updating eligible precipitation in the Groundwater Accounting Platform by adding one inch.

Planning Commission takes up Hilmar and Delhi land-use requests

The Planning Commission met July 8 to hold public hearings on two items:

• **Zone Variance No. ZV26-001 / Minor Subdivision No. MS26-001** — would increase the maximum security parcel size to 7.9 acres and lower the minimum parcel size to 9.9 acres on the north side of West Williams Avenue (APN 017-170-005), zoned A-1 (General Agricultural). Staff recommended a CEQA categorical exemption.
• **Minor Subdivision No. MS26-004** — would create a 2.49-acre homesite from a 33.8-acre parcel on the south side of South Avenue (APN 046-143-015), zoned A-1. Staff recommended no further CEQA review.

Planada MAC reviews $910,000 road project and subdivision

The Planada Municipal Advisory Council met July 14 and was scheduled to receive an update on road infrastructure for Measure V, covering Santa Fe from Ash St. to E. Mission Ave., at a cost of $910,000. The council was also set to hear a presentation on Major Subdivision No. MAS26-002 at 9451 Krafft Rd. (APN 053-161-013) and to review the Housing Element map of Planada inventory sites S2 through S8.

First 5 Commission weighs long-range financial plan and service contracts

The First 5 Commission met July 13 and was scheduled to consider a Long-Range Financial Plan covering FY 26/27 through FY 30/31. The agenda also listed contracts with United Way of Merced County for the 211 Helpline, Exceptional Parents Unlimited for Help Me Grow, and HYPEN for a 2026-2031 Community Engagement and Communications Plan, plus an MOU between the Central California Alliance for Health and First 5 Merced County.

Behavioral Health Board hears Crisis Residential Unit presentation

The Behavioral Health Advisory Board met July 7 and was scheduled to approve minutes from a June 2, 2026 retreat and regular meeting, hear a presentation on Crisis Residential Unit services, and receive committee reports covering Substance Use Disorder, By-Laws, Membership, Board Development, and liaisons to QIC, MHSA, and Children's System of Care. Public comment was set at three minutes per speaker for non-agenda items.

Local advisory councils gather community updates

• **Le Grand MAC** (July 6): scheduled to hear reports from the Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, Planning Department, and Public Works on County Service Areas, Parks & Recreation, and Roads, plus a report from District One Supervisor Jim Pacheco.
• **Delhi MAC** (July 9): scheduled to hear a presentation by Cultiva Valle Central on health equity services and consider a volunteer request for a Back to School Booth on July 24, 2026.
• **Snelling MAC** (July 16): scheduled to review correspondence regarding RWA Integrated Waste Management, hear updates from Sheriff, CHP, and Fire Departments, and discuss a speed hump on Montgomery Street.

Castle Standing Committee meeting cancelled

The Castle Standing Committee's regular meeting scheduled for July 15, 2026 was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming up

• **July 22 — Planning Commission**: Public hearings on two extension applications. EXT26-001 would extend the First Term Extension of Development Agreement DA19-001 from three to six years for a 458-acre low-density residential site between State Highway 33 and South Hilldale Avenue (zoned R-1-5000). EXT26-015 would extend Major Subdivision MAS21-004 (Hillcrest Estates) by two years to July 27, 2028, at the SW corner of East Old Lake Road and North Hillcrest Drive (APN 170-110-006, zoned R-R). Staff recommend no further CEQA review for both.
• **July 23 — Law Library Board**: 12:00 p.m. meeting includes review of library budget, income, and usage statistics; a public comment on a potential resource-sharing partnership presented by Deputy CEO Jane Van Volten; and a closed-session discussion of a salary adjustment for the Law Library Director.
• **July 23 — BHRS-MHSA Ongoing Planning Council**: Discussion of the BHSA Integrated Plan, county disparities, a suicide-prevention event, quarterly data, and the Behavioral Health Outcomes Transparency Accountability Report. No formal actions are listed.