Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno for Parks Submits Signatures. But Is Compromise in the Works?
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
July 18, 2018

Share

Moments before submitting signatures to the city clerk, advocates for a sales tax to benefit parks were one short of a nice round number. In order to achieve it, they even asked a cameraman covering the occasion if he was a registered Fresno voter. Absent that, Fresno for Parks turned in 34,999 signatures.
It was another milestone in potentially getting the measure in front of Fresno voters this November. The group is seeking a 3/8th-cent sales-tax hike for parks and related programs.

“We intended to submit the petitions. It keeps faith with the 34,999 people who signed to bring it forward. Meanwhile, other conversations continue.” — Elliott Balch of Fresno for Parks
But the parks advocates acknowledged that there may not be enough time to get their measure on the November ballot.
Thus they are holding the door open for a compromise with a competing tax plan emanating out of City Hall. And if those negotiations fail, the 2020 primary ballot is a possibility.
The Fresno for Parks plan estimates it would raise up to $38 million a year for refurbishing current parks, building new parks, and maintaining trails on the San Joaquin River Parkway. Additionally, funding would go to programs for arts, seniors, after-school activities and job training.

Signatures Submitted, But Negotiations Continue

Elliott Balch, a member of the Fresno for Parks coalition, said his group had been negotiating with other community partners about a compromise sales tax plan. That group includes Mayor Lee Brand’s office, which continues to push a plan that would raise the sales tax a half-cent, split between parks and public safety.
Brand introduced his alternate plan last month, only to have it resoundingly rejected by the city council through comments to traditional and social media. Brand withdrew his motion before an actual vote. He revived the idea, though, in a speech to the Fresno Rotary earlier this week.
“We intended to submit the petitions. It keeps faith with the 34,999 people who signed to bring it forward. Meanwhile, other conversations continue,” Balch said.

“Each side wants more than they probably should get, or could get in a compromise. We’re going to continue to move forward. We are not closed to talking, we still want to be able to do that.” — Larry Powell of Fresno for Parks
Balch left open the possibility of proposing a joint plan with the mayor.
“We are interested in making sure the needs of Fresno are met and being part of a solution. We are still very open to conversation about serving both parks and perhaps other related needs as well,” Balch said.
Larry Powell, the former county schools superintendent, says the parks tax plan is “transformational.” He is also optimistic on negotiations with the mayor’s office and other interested parties, like the city council and public safety unions.
“Each side wants more than they probably should get, or could get in a compromise,” Powell said. “We’re going to continue to move forward. We are not closed to talking, we still want to be able to do that. We are going to continue to move forward. You have to with all the deadlines we have to face.”
Balch did not want to say anything specifically how negotiations with Brand’s office are going, but said things are fluid and could still change.
“I wouldn’t want to foreclose on any possibilities.”

Meeting Deadlines

However, turning in the petitions late in the game may jeopardize Fresno for Park’s chances of qualifying for the Nov. 6 election. They will settle for the March 2020 election if need be.
Park tax advocates need 23,273 valid signatures of registered city voters to qualify the proposal for the ballot. They are confident they have that.
But the city council also must approve for it to qualify. That’s the time crunch.
Verifying ballots is a two-step process. The city clerk will take a count of signatures on the petitions, then turn them over to the county clerk for verification. City Clerk Yvonne Spence told GV Wire she will use extra staff for the count and that it should take a couple of days.
August 10 is the state-mandated deadline to place an item on the November ballot. There is only one city council meeting, July 26, between now and Aug. 10. And, the agenda for that July 26 meeting must be set by Thursday at 5 p.m. That means the council will not have a chance to place the measure on the ballot at that meeting.
State law allows the clerk up to 30 days (excluding weekends and holidays) for verification. Aug. 10 is only 23 days away from today (July 18), including weekends.
The council could call a special meeting or add an additional meeting between now and the deadline. When the council votes, it has two choices (once the petition signatures are verified): adopt the petition into law (subject to the mayor’s veto) or place the item on the election ballot.
If Mayor Brand submits his own plan, or a compromise with Fresno for Parks emerges, a vote of five city council members (out of seven) would be required to place it on the ballot.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Advisory Warns of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ in US After Iran Strikes

DON'T MISS

Muslim Countries to Set up Contact Group to Seek Israel-Iran De-Escalation

DON'T MISS

Visalia Police Seek Public’s Help in Sexual Assault Investigation

DON'T MISS

Despite Clashes With US Presidents, Israel’s Netanyahu Usually Gets His Way

DON'T MISS

Pope Leo Urges International Diplomacy to Prevent ‘Irreparable Abyss’

DON'T MISS

Oil to Open Higher as US Strikes on Iran Boost Supply Risk Premium

DON'T MISS

US Strikes Against Iran Not Aimed at Regime Change, Pentagon Chief Says

DON'T MISS

US Bombing of Iran Started With a Fake-Out

DON'T MISS

Pakistan Condemns Trump’s Bombing of Iran a Day After Nominating Him for Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

World Awaits Iran’s Response After Trump Says US ‘Obliterates’ Nuclear Sites

UP NEXT

Visalia Police Seek Public’s Help in Sexual Assault Investigation

UP NEXT

US Strikes Against Iran Not Aimed at Regime Change, Pentagon Chief Says

UP NEXT

World Awaits Iran’s Response After Trump Says US ‘Obliterates’ Nuclear Sites

UP NEXT

Tulare County’s Colvin Fire Ignites With 80 Personnel on Scene

UP NEXT

Trump Says Iran’s Key Nuclear Sites ‘Obliterated’ by Airstrikes

UP NEXT

Nuclear Diplomacy Stuck, Israel Says It Killed Top Iran Commander

UP NEXT

Bentley the Porch-Crasher Pup Hopes for a Forever Home

UP NEXT

This Fresno Family Had Six Graduations, Ranging From Pre-K to High School

UP NEXT

Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 Levels Up With Four Days of Deals Starting July 8

UP NEXT

Voice of America Parent Terminates Over 600 More Staff in Likely Death Knell

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Putin Says US Strikes on Iran Are Pushing World to ‘Very Dangerous Line’

57 minutes ago

Israel Signals Iran Campaign Can End Soon but Much Hinges on Tehran

59 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Melissa Helen Alexander

1 hour ago

Explosions Heard Over Qatar Capital Doha After Iran Threat to Retaliate for US Strikes

2 hours ago

How Many Alleged Drunk Drivers Did Fresno Police Nab Over the Weekend?

2 hours ago

Teen Accused as Getaway Driver in Caleb Quick Murder Appears in Court. Defense Waives Key Hearing

2 hours ago

Thunder Cap Incredible Season by Beating Pacers for NBA Title

3 hours ago

US Power Prices Soar as Brutal Heat Wave Stresses Power Grids

3 hours ago

Israeli Strikes on Iran May Have Violated International Law, UN Mission Says

4 hours ago

How the Attacks on Iran Are Part of a Much Bigger Global Struggle

4 hours ago

Zelenskyy Arrives in UK After Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills at Least 8

KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine arrived in Britain on Monday to press for more military support for his embattled n...

21 minutes ago

21 minutes ago

Zelenskyy Arrives in UK After Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills at Least 8

Russia's Security Council's Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev attends a meeting of the Council for Science and Education at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in the Moscow region's city of Dubna, Russia June 13, 2024. (Reuters File)
45 minutes ago

Trump Slams Medvedev for Claiming Nations May Supply Iran With Nuclear Warheads

Traces are seen in the sky after Iran's armed forces say they targeted The Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
48 minutes ago

Iran Says It Fires Missiles at US Airbase in Qatar, Explosions Heard Over Doha

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, as Head of the Russian General Staff's Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov sit nearby, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 23, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS
57 minutes ago

Putin Says US Strikes on Iran Are Pushing World to ‘Very Dangerous Line’

Rescuers and security personnel work at the impacted site after a missile attack from Iran, amid the Iran-Israel conflict in Tel Aviv, Israel June 22, 2025. (Reuters/Tomer Appelbaum)
59 minutes ago

Israel Signals Iran Campaign Can End Soon but Much Hinges on Tehran

Melissa Helen Alexander is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for June 23, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Melissa Helen Alexander

A boy rides a scooter near a damaged car at an impact site following Iran's strike on Israel, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Haifa, Israel, June 22, 2025. (Reuters/Florion Goga)
2 hours ago

Explosions Heard Over Qatar Capital Doha After Iran Threat to Retaliate for US Strikes

2 hours ago

How Many Alleged Drunk Drivers Did Fresno Police Nab Over the Weekend?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend