Fresno City Council Budget Hearings - Day 4: June 11, 2026

The Fresno City Council held the fourth day of budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:33 PM. The meeting covered the Convention Center/Stadium, City Clerk's Office, City Attorney's Office, General City Purpose, Office of the Mayor & City Manager, City Council, and Airports departments. Councilmembers considered numerous budget motions, heard extensive public testimony, and adopted the Housing Successor agency budget. Vice President Tyler Maxwell was absent; all other six members were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers criticized the budget process, citing lack of transparency and accessibility, and urged larger public participation. (Alicia R., Bob McCloskey, Ariana, others)
• Several speakers called for increased funding for the Eviction Protection Program (EPP) and criticized landlord practices. Sharrah Thompson requested expansion to cover tenant harassment. Giovanna Morales (Leadership Council) asked for continued and additional EPP funding.
• Enrique Little and Brandi N. testified about alleged misconduct by the HART (Homeless Assistance Response Team) officers, including throwing belongings and using abusive language, and opposed expanding the team.
• Bob McCloskey argued the no-camping ordinance has failed (mayor admitted no reduction in homelessness) and supported rent control.
• Alfred Aldrete urged ending the Flock camera contract, citing privacy risks and misuse.
• Mars advocated for reallocating police funds to preventative programs and noted Advanced Peace saw funding cut from $2M to $700,000.
• Nikki Real spoke during City Council and Airports public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• RDA Housing Successor Budget (ID 26-752): Approved after brief presentation. Council accepted the annual report and adopted the FY 26/27 Program Income Budget for the Housing Successor. Two votes were required and passed 6-0.
• Convention Center/Stadium (ID 26-688): Staff highlighted new operator Venue Works accomplishments (all-inclusive pricing, new events). Discussion included parking revenue changes, deferred maintenance (fire panel, HVAC, kitchen hood), ADA upgrades, stadium landscaping, and the need for an independent audit of the Grizzlies operator agreement. Councilmember Arias requested information on costs for concerts at various venues.
• City Clerk's Office (ID 26-690): No formal presentation; council added $50,000 to the budget for priority work.
• City Attorney's Office (ID 26-691): Presentation covered PRA workload (2,600 in 2021 vs. 7,500 in 2025), EPP stats (389 intakes in FY26), code enforcement vacancy challenges, and smoke shop compliance deadline (December 2026). Council discussed attrition savings ($1.5M) and made multiple motions for EPP increase, outside legal services, and smoke shop enforcement funding.
• General City Purpose (ID 26-692): Brief presentation on retirement office and debt service. Councilmember Karbassi questioned Retirement Administrator Robert Theller about his compensation (estimated $325,000 total) and asked his willingness to leave, which was declined.
• Office of the Mayor & City Manager (ID 26-693): Presented flat budget with 5% reduction. Councilmember Richardson motioned $65,000 for a part-time Office of Community Affairs (OCA) position for Middle East and North Africa representation.
• City Council (ID 26-694): Budget flat; election year contingency included. Discussion about carryover reconciliation and infrastructure funds.
• Airports (ID 26-689): Presented $137.8M total budget ($38.8M operating, $98.9M capital). Major projects: runway reconstruction ($36.4M), terminal expansion, and Air Traffic Control Tower replacement. Discussion included vacancies, air service development, and ARFF staffing.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: RDA Housing Successor budget and annual report (6-0).
• Motions Made (to be voted on June 16, 2026): Over 40 budget motions were introduced, including:
  • $50,000 to City Clerk's budget (Arias)
  • $150,000 to City Attorney for outside legal services (Karbassi)
  • $2,000,000 for Eviction Protection Program (Perea)
  • Undetermined amount to complete smoke shop wind-down (Perea)
  • $200,000 for ADA restrooms at Water Tower/Garage 9 (Arias)
  • $200,000 for Tower Theater marquee repair (Arias)
  • $320,000 (Measure P) for cricket netting at JSK Park (Arias)
  • $657,000 (Measure P) for Fink White Park Tot Lot (Arias)
  • $2,100,000 (Measure P) for Ted C. Wills Park improvements (Arias, amended from $2M)
  • Up to $2,000,000 for a new park at Addams Elementary (Arias)
  • $50,000 for legal notice publication in Fresno Bee (Arias)
  • $250,000 to South Tower Community Land Trust for housing (Arias)
  • Undetermined for 126 picnic tables at Roeding Park (Measure P) (Arias)
  • $200,000 for tree restoration at Roeding Park (Measure P) (Arias)
  • $250,000 for city-sponsored special events (Arias)
  • $60,000 to Families in Action (Vang)
  • $60,000 to A Hopeful Encounter (Vang)
  • $90,000 to FIRM for community gardens (Vang)
  • $70,000 for businesses affected by King Canyon/Ventura/California renaming (Vang, with additional contributions from districts)
  • $100,000 for public art in Tower District (Perea)
  • $400,000 for concrete repair in Palm-Clinton-Harrison-Shields area (Perea)
  • Undetermined for Tower District sidewalk redo (Perea)
  • $65,000 for part-time OCA position (Middle East & North Africa) (Richardson)
  • $200,000 to Casita Feliz for healthcare (Perea)
  • $120,000 for EOC LGBTQ center reopening (Perea)
  • $30,000 for Tower District library partnership with County (Perea)
  • $750,000 from capital reserve for Riverside Golf Course expansion (Karbassi)
  • $25,000 for West Fresno library site design (Karbassi)
  • $25,000 for Sweet Potato Program (Karbassi, amended from $10,000)
  • $263,000 for Cedar Avenue repaving gap (Esparza)
  • $150,000 for school traffic safety improvements (Esparza)
  • $50,000 moving D7 infrastructure funds to operating budget (Esparza)
  • $600,000 for Clinton Avenue paving and ADA ramps (Esparza)
  • $100,000 carryover for second EIFD or expansion (Esparza)
  • $250,000 to Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation for downtown events (Arias)
  • $50,000 for independent audit of Grizzlies operator agreement (Arias)
  • Allow CAO to keep attrition positions to fund EPP and smoke shop enforcement (Arias)
  • Several placeholders for shade structures, cameras, turn lanes, etc. (Vang)
  • Placeholder for Radio Park property acquisition gap (Esparza)
• Requests for Information (RFIs): Numerous RFIs were made, including: grants received by Police; parking garage maintenance plan; stadium vendor list; MLB agreement expiration; convention center/stadium concert costs; stadium landscaping cost; EPP intakes by district; IATSE negotiations update; delay in Office of Independent Review report; carryover reconciliation; cost to repave Butler Ave; outline of retirement office personnel expenditure increase.
• Next Steps: Budget motions will be voted on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Final budget adoption scheduled for June 23, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 3:33 PM.