Fresno City Council Budget Hearing – Vote on Budget Motions, June 16, 2026

The Fresno City Council convened on June 16, 2026, for a continued budget hearing to vote on budget motions for Fiscal Year 2026–2027. All seven council members were present. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and more than 30 motions proposed by council members, covering infrastructure, public safety, community programs, and animal welfare. A final vote on the budget is scheduled for June 23, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rosalina Carson (District 3): Urged the council to prioritize a park, sidewalks, and water infrastructure in the Jane Addams neighborhood, stating she has seen no change in 25 years.
• Derek Payton (Tower District, Root Access): Expressed strong support for the $50,000 allocation to launch a Tower District library, calling it a catalytic signal to the county.
• Giovanna Morales (Leadership Council): Thanked council members for motions funding community-identified priorities like parks, street lighting, and the eviction protection program.
• Galive Juárez (District 5 resident): Supported a new park in the Jane Addams community, noting children lack access to green space.
• Yania Escobar (Tower District mother): Spoke in favor of the Tower District library, emphasizing literacy and walkable community spaces.
• Jason Cross: Supported the library, mentioning his daughter’s desire for take-home crafts and the convenience of a neighborhood library.
• Brandy N.: Opposed expansion of the HART team, citing documented incidents of property destruction (including ashes, IDs, wheelchairs) and calling for humane treatment of unhoused individuals.
• Brooke Payton (Tower District Library Advocate): Detailed the library project’s need for a small leased space (5,000+ sq ft, two bathrooms, 20 parking stalls) and urged the council to signal partnership to the county.
• Laura Fay (educator, literacy nonprofit): Supported the library and called for a more humane approach to homelessness, opposing HART team tactics.
• Kyle Lopez Schmidt (South Tower Community Land Trust): Welcomed new council members, supported the library, and thanked Councilmember Arias for funding their office on Fulton, which will house a bookstore and community space.
• Sarah Reyes (Shine Together): Requested $120,000 to sustain services for teen parents, citing high teen birth rates in Fresno County (double the state average).
• Vanessa Padilla (Shine Together program supervisor, former participant): Supported the funding request, sharing her personal success story.
• Mariella Fernandez (District 5): Spoke in Spanish about the need for investment in southeast Fresno.
• Lilia Vasily: Supported Families in Action, emphasizing cultural celebration and community connection.
• Arissa (People’s Budget, District 2): Opposed HART expansion, urged investment in shelters, transitional housing, and eviction protection instead of policing.
• Diana Elmida (Tower District resident): Supported the library and the South Tower Community Land Trust, noting positive neighborhood impact.
• Ariana (Fresnans for People’s Budget): Opposed a second HART team, questioned transparency and metrics, noted the independent auditor position has been vacant since August 2025.
• Taylor (Fresno State student, District 4): Opposed funding for HART, flock cameras, and golf courses; supported community programs like eviction protection, youth services, and parks.
• Whitney Sandersler: Proposed reallocating $304 million from police and military equipment to parks, public pools, youth programs, and green infrastructure.
• Aaron Foster (Advanced Peace Fresno): Requested full funding ($1 million over one year) to prevent gun violence, noting federal funding cuts and the program’s success in reducing violence.
• Terry Siegel: Supported the Tower District library.
• Chris Thompson (Fresno TNR): Expressed gratitude for spay/neuter partnerships but urged increased funding to address pet overpopulation.
• Rey Chamberlain (District 7, Tower District): Opposed HART expansion, condemned inhumane treatment of unhoused people, supported the library and community land trust.
• Melanie (District 1): Supported the library, South Tower Community Land Trust, and park investments.
• Marcos Osorio (father, educator): Supported the library and park investments as vital for youth.
• Harmon Singh: Proposed road improvements west of Highway 99, safer park design at Veterans and Barstow, and sidewalk/bike lane additions.
• Navdeep Kar (District 2): Opposed HART, supported the library, and requested expanded park space at Veterans and Barstow.
• Alfred Already (District 3): Called for reimagining budget priorities toward public housing and preventive care, and for ending the flock camera contract.
• Brianna (District 5): Opposed HART, citing destruction of belongings and legal liability; supported the library and Advanced Peace.
• Nikki Real: Requested a bus bench and shade at SIC Institute.
• Wendy Crisco: Urged support for all public projects benefiting Fresno communities.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Tyler Maxwell (Vice President): Introduced motions #68–79 for mothers room upgrades ($5,000), hawk signals at Maroa and First/Fairmont ($930,000), wage protection outreach ($30,000), Resiliency Center ($100,000), Fresno Arts Museum flooring ($100,000), Care Fresno ($50,000), Veterans Auditorium upgrades (from remaining Measure P funds), pave more now ($350,000), and zero-fare FAX buses on Election Day.
• Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias: Proposed motions #80 (gun buy-back program, up to $100,000 from police attrition savings, matched by Crimestoppers), amendments to #21 (add $50,000 to City Clerk’s budget) and #33 (allocate $584,500 from Measure P for picnic tables and accessible pads at Roeding Park).
• Councilmember Brandon Vang: Motions #81–88 for repaving South Fowler, concrete repairs, sidewalk lifts at Huntington Court Apartments, street lighting in alleys, crosswalks on 10th Street, concrete repair on Evelyn/Wailing, and $100,000 to Hmong Inc. for cultural events.
• Councilmember Annalisa Perea: Motions #89–92 for Youth Leadership Academy ($100,000), Shine Fresno ($120,000), NAMI ($25,000), zero fare for pregnant mothers on FAX. Also amended motion #11 to set aside $825,000 total for spay/neuter (base $225,000 + $180,000 from unfilled vet position + $300,000 Dogwood match + additional $120,000). Amended motion #46 to set aside $50,000 (with $25,000 from her office) for a Tower District library partnership with the county.
• Councilmember Mike Karbassi: Motions #93–98 for yellow light timing assessment ($35,000), Stallion Park improvements ($77,200), design of new park at Veterans and Barstow ($447,100), acceleration of Park West community park ($200,000), African American Community Council ($25,000), and Sister Cities International Fresno ($150,000, contingent on spending plan). Also discussed extending timelines for the park design.
• Council President Nelson Esparza: Motion #99 for a feasibility study on Olive Avenue traffic safety improvements ($30,000). Amended motion #50 for school traffic safety in District 7 ($760,000) and motion #67 for Radio Park land acquisition ($650,000).
• Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias (final motion): Motion #100 to approve all motions, seconded by Councilmember Karbassi.
• Debate on Advanced Peace: Councilmember Karbassi moved to fully fund Advanced Peace at its current operating level, acknowledging federal funding cuts. Mayor Dyer confirmed existing commitments and urged negotiation with the county. The council agreed to work out the exact amount before the final vote.
• Discussion on HART: Multiple commenters opposed additional funding, citing property destruction and lack of transparency. Councilmember Karbassi requested data on HART interactions for context. Mayor Dyer defended the program, stating the city has placed over 12,500 people in emergency shelter with a 73% retention rate.
• Discussion on Golf Course: Councilmember Karbassi expressed frustration over lack of progress on the Riverside Golf Course driving range proposal. Staff indicated the operator has not provided a cost breakdown and recommended the city take the lead on a proposal.
• Discussion on Yellow Light Timing: Councilmember Karbassi questioned the $35,000 assessment for adjusting yellow light intervals at top red-light-running intersections. Staff explained the cost includes technical analysis and synchronization adjustments.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve all council motions (#100) was made and seconded. The council will reconvene on June 23, 2026, to vote on the final budget after the City Manager’s office produces a reconciled version.
• Specific funding allocations approved in principle (subject to final vote):
  • $5,000 for City Hall mothers room (General Services)
  • 1/3 cost of hawk signal at Maroa between Barstow and Bullard (Public Works)
  • $30,000 for wage protection program outreach (City Attorney)
  • $100,000 for Resiliency Center (General City Purpose)
  • $100,000 for Fresno Arts Museum flooring (PARCS)
  • $50,000 for Care Fresno (General City Purpose)
  • Remaining Measure P funds for Veterans Auditorium upgrades (PARCS)
  • $350,000 for pave more now at Princeton-Bond-Clinton-First (Public Works)
  • $930,000 for hawk at First and Fairmont (Public Works)
  • $50,000 transfer from FY27 District 4 Public Works to operating budget (Public Works)
  • $250,000 for Child Care Access and Family Affordability Commission (General City Purpose)
  • Zero fare on FAX buses on Election Day (FAX)
  • Up to $100,000 for gun buy-back program from police attrition savings, matched by Crimestoppers (Police)
  • $50,000 added to City Clerk’s budget (City Clerk)
  • $584,500 from Measure P for 80 picnic tables and 44 concrete pads at Roeding Park (PARCS)
  • Repaving South Fowler between Butler and Church (Public Works)
  • Concrete repair: S. Peach to S. Waldby, E. Grove to E. Kaviland (Public Works)
  • Sidewalk lift repairs around Huntington Court Apartments (Public Works)
  • Repaving Ventura Ave, S. Orange Ave, E. Butler Ave, S. 1st St (Public Works)
  • Street lighting in alleys within E. Lowell Ave, 10th St, Lyell Ave, 4th St grid (Public Works)
  • Crosswalks on 10th St at El Monte Way and Montecito Ave (Public Works)
  • Concrete repair: S. Evelyn Ave to S. Wailing, E. Grove to E. Kaviland (Public Works)
  • $100,000 to Hmong Inc. (General City Purpose)
  • $100,000 for Youth Leadership Academy (General City Purpose)
  • $120,000 for Shine Fresno (General City Purpose)
  • $25,000 for NAMI local chapter (General City Purpose)
  • Zero fare for pregnant mothers on FAX (FAX)
  • $825,000 total for spay/neuter (Animal Center)
  • $50,000 for Tower District library partnership with county (General City Purpose)
  • $35,000 for yellow light timing assessment (Public Works)
  • $77,200 for Stallion Park improvements (PARCS)
  • $447,100 for design of park at Veterans and Barstow (PARCS, multi-year)
  • $200,000 to accelerate Park West community park (PARCS)
  • $25,000 for African American Community Council (General City Purpose)
  • $150,000 to Sister Cities International Fresno, contingent on spending plan approved by council leadership (General City Purpose)
  • $30,000 for Olive Avenue pedestrian safety feasibility study (Public Works)
  • $760,000 for school traffic safety improvements around District 7 schools (Public Works)
  • $650,000 for Radio Park land acquisition at First and Clinton (PARCS)
• Councilmember Karbassi’s motion to fully fund Advanced Peace at current operating level was accepted as a placeholder; staff will determine the exact gap before June 23.
• Public comment closed at approximately 3:33 p.m. The meeting recessed to resume Friday, June 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.