Fresno City Council – Mayor's Budget Presentation

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 9:09 AM, the Fresno City Council convened a special meeting to receive the Mayor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. The meeting lasted until 11:00 AM and featured a detailed presentation by Mayor Dyer, followed by council questions and public comment. No votes were taken; the budget will be heard in hearings starting June 8, 2026, with final adoption anticipated on June 23.

Budget Presentation – Mayor's FY27 Proposal

The Mayor presented a balanced $2.55 billion budget—the largest in city history. The general fund totals $541.8 million (21% of overall budget). Public safety consumes 68.5% of the general fund: Police Department at $263.7 million (48.6%) and Fire Department at $107.6 million (19.9%). The Mayor explained that the projected $34.5 million deficit was closed through various measures: $10.7 million from FY26 carryover adjustments, $7.5 million from denied department requests, $7.3 million from shifting expenses to grants and special revenues, $5.9 million from a revised sales tax projection (2.8% growth), $1.4 million from contract cleanup, $1.16 million from a 5% departmental efficiency exercise, and $581,000 from additional attrition savings. No layoffs are required. Revenue projections show property tax increasing 5.94% to $214.6 million, sales tax up to $152.7 million (3.76% increase), business license tax up 3.76% to $25.3 million, and room tax up 6.9% to $16.8 million. Cannabis revenue is budgeted conservatively at $3.3 million, a slight decrease. The budget adds one HART team (1 sergeant, 4 officers), bringing sworn police to 935 positions. For fire, two drill schools will train 40 new firefighters; 24 SAFER grant positions are absorbed into the general fund at a cost of $2.97 million. Key investments include: $74.86 million for road and sidewalk construction (additional to $65.9 million in FY26, totaling ~$140 million), $2.65 million for fire drill schools, $1.5 million for eviction protection (funded from the local housing trust fund), $1 million for the residential infill housing program, $500,000 for power washing and trash removal in the Tower District and downtown, $550,000 for Councilmember Maxwell's 1,000 tree initiative, $553,000 to return to a 10-year tree trimming cycle, $300,000 for Advanced Peace from the cannabis community benefit fund, $225,000 for outside spay/neuter contracts, and $100,000 for the 250th celebration. Capital projects include completion of the Southeast Sports Complex first phase, new parks, a senior center, fire station 12, and the 911 center. Each council district receives $300,000 for public works projects (total $2.1 million), plus $875,000 operational budgets per district.

Council Discussion & Questions

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions and offered perspectives:

• Council Vice President Maxwell opened, noting the budget's thoughtfulness and reduced deficit ($34.5 million) compared to last year. He questioned the impact of Attorney General Bonta's blackjack ban, and the Mayor confirmed a $400,000 reduction was factored in. He also inquired about cannabis revenue, learning only 16 of 20 permits are operational, and discussed Measure P projections ($49.5 million in new revenue, $68 million carryover).
• Councilmember Karbassi praised the budget as balanced (not a deficit) and emphasized the need to grow revenue, critiquing opposition to the Southeast Development Area and Central Unified's vote against 1,547 acres of R&D land. He highlighted District 2 investments: Pine Dale Community Center bathrooms, ongoing road projects (Herndon overpass, Shaw Avenue repaving), and San Joaquin River access. He requested information on fire special teams.
• Councilmember Vang noted the budget is $250 million larger than last year ($2.55B vs $2.3B) and emphasized no loss of public safety personnel. He praised the Pave More Now program and planned a motion to offset costs for businesses impacted by the Kings Canyon/Ventura/California street name reversion. He also sought gymnasium funding for the Southeast Sports Complex.
• Councilmember Perea advocated for making more land uses ministerial to increase housing and jobs. She asked about tree trimming cycle (back to 10-year), funding for nonprofits like Marjorie Mason Center (to be funded through HHAP), Tower District trash services (moving in-house), eviction protection (1.5 million, with about 360 intakes and 160 referrals), and confirmed homelessness services and mobile showers/cooling centers remain funded. She indicated she may propose motions for local nonprofits.
• Council President Esparza called the budget well-rounded and noted it incorporates many council priorities. He questioned about retail theft grant (25 positions funded fully through FY27, will roll off) and the fire drill schools (likely one-time). He supported speed limit signs and potential traffic safety measures.

Public Comments & Testimony

Seven members of the public spoke during unscheduled communication:

• Brandi N. criticized the HART team, urging that grant-funded police positions be allowed to lapse and funds redirected to community-based services. She expressed support for eviction protection and Advanced Peace but opposed additional HART funding.
• Arieana opposed the HART team, citing evidence that housing first models are more cost-effective than policing. She urged investment in wraparound services.
• Bob McCloskey (Fresno Community Alliance and Fresno Homeless Union) calculated the daily cost of police funding ($484,919/day) and criticized the low clearance rates and enforcement of camping ordinances, stating only 130 of 1,700+ violations resulted in charges. He alleged HART team abuse and three pending lawsuits.
• Alfred Aldrete supported letting police grants lapse to redirect $1.8 million to community needs. He criticized the contract with Flock cameras, calling them invasive and costly ($1.6 million savings possible).
• Enrique Little echoed opposition to HART team, citing incidents of abuse. He argued the city pays for 150 unfilled police positions and criticized AI data centers in SATA development.
• Dez Martinez (currently unhoused) detailed the high costs of encampment enforcement, estimating $3 million for 1,000 arrests, and argued that providing shelter directly would be cheaper and more humane. He described the cycle of arrest, hospital visits, and release as inefficient.
• David Borchard spoke in favor of the second HART team, stating that many unhoused individuals are aware of services but refuse them. He credited faith-based programs for helping family members.

Key Outcomes

• The Mayor's FY27 Proposed Budget was presented to the Council; it is balanced at $2.55 billion.
• No votes were taken; the budget will be discussed in hearings beginning June 8, 2026, with final adoption scheduled for June 23, 2026.
• Councilmembers indicated they will submit information requests and prepare motions for budget adjustments.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM into a closed session regarding the appointment of a City Clerk.