Summary
The city and county office of education are exploring a joint powers authority to form a CFD that would fund a charter school and infrastructure for the Virginia Smith Trust development near UC Merced. Roughly $86.6 million could be funded at a 1.7% tax rate, but neighbors worry about fairness to competing developments along Lake Road.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
No city debt — the CFD itself repays bonds — but special taxes would fall on future VST homeowners.
VST developers and future residents get infrastructure and a north-side school sooner; nearby Lake Road landowners could benefit if the JPA is structured broadly.
Neighboring landowners like Greg Opinski worry the arrangement could give VST a competitive leg up unless participation is fair.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority — October 19, 2026
The city and the County Office of Education may form a joint powers authority to borrow money for roads, water and sewer in the Virginia Smith Trust development in northeast Merced. Councilmember Xiong objected that the funding tiers prioritize the charter school over basic infrastructure.
City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority — July 20, 2026
The city and county office of education are exploring a joint powers authority to form a CFD that would fund a charter school and infrastructure for the Virginia Smith Trust development near UC Merced. Roughly $86.6 million could be funded at a 1.7% tax rate, but neighbors worry about fairness to competing developments along Lake Road.
Planning Commission — January 21, 2026
The city is moving forward with the first phases of a 655-acre master-planned community east of Lake Road, south of UC Merced — about 940 homes in Phase 1 alone, plus a town center, parks, schools, and a police/fire station. It's one of the biggest developments in Merced's recent history.
Related development
Virginia Smith Trust Development
Could unlock $37-86.6 million for roads, sewer, water, and a north-side charter school, but neighbors want fairness guarantees for competing Lake Road developments.
Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1D
197 more homes are on hold until the corrected map comes back next month.
Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1C
This phase contains the town center — the future main street and commercial heart of the whole community.
Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Phase 1B
Adds more residential neighborhoods and triggers the Lake Road segment construction under the phased infrastructure plan.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Merced
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.