In Gustine, that coordination included an October 2025 enforcement sweep — the city’s first — conducted jointly by the Gustine Police Department and Merced County Public Health. So far, environmental health has conducted 13 sweeps of unlicensed food vendors since October, with 27 more scheduled through the end of the fiscal year, Duran said. Plus, county officials say they have a responsibility to address those operators who aren’t playing by the same rules of legitimate businesses. County officials say they are charging vendors three times the cost of what it would be to get a permit. She said Merced County is imposing the highest penalties allowed under state law.