Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fresno City Gets Extension in Herndon 4-Story Apartment Case

1 day ago

With Major Heat Risk Forecast, This Is a Good Weekend to Stay Indoors in Fresno

1 day ago

Trump Says Intel Has Agreed to Deal for US to Take 10% Equity Stake

1 day ago

Epstein Associate Maxwell Says She Never Saw Trump Behave Inappropriately

1 day ago

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

1 day ago

Powell, Citing Jobs Risk, Opens Door to Cuts but Doesn’t Commit

2 days ago

FBI Agents Search Ex-Trump Adviser Bolton’s Home, Source Says

2 days ago

Gaza City Officially in Famine, With Hunger Spreading, Says Global Hunger Monitor

2 days ago

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

2 days ago
Brand New Sales Tax Idea for Funding Fresno's Big Needs
Portrait of GV Wire News Director Bill McEwen
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 6 years ago on
October 15, 2019

Share

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand rolled out his early idea for a new sales tax in an interview Tuesday with GV Wire.
Though he didn’t name it such, you might call it “Triple-P” — a 0.75% hike on the November 2020 ballot raising about $69 million annually for public safety, parks, and public works.

“If we can get it to the ballot and passed by voters, it would be transformational for Fresno. Our current revenue isn’t sufficient to fund our needs or make Fresno the city that people want it to be.” — Fresno Mayor Lee Brand
The tax, as envisioned by Brand, would be divided equally among those services — $23 million each —and last for 15 years. If today’s projections hold, the tax would raise more than $1 billion during its lifetime.

Mayor in Talks With 3 Councilmembers

Brand said that he is in talks with a three-member city council Parks and Public Safety Subcommittee formed last month, as well as community leaders. The council group consists of Miguel Arias, Nelson Esparza, and Esmeralda Soria.
“We have a ways to go,” said Brand, who isn’t seeking reelection in 2020. “But if we can get it to the ballot and passed by voters, it would be transformational for Fresno. Our current revenue isn’t sufficient to fund our needs or make Fresno the city that people want it to be.”
Reaction from two of the councilmembers on the subcommittee was cautiously positive in the wake of the 2018 Measure P parks sales tax proposal now tied up in the courts. Brand said that if the new tax is passed, the measure’s language would require the tax to supersede Measure P regardless of how the courts rule.

If today’s projections hold, the tax would raise more than $1 billion during its lifetime.
“The cake on this measure is certainly not baked yet,” said Esparza, who supported Measure P. “Based on the politics we’ve seen here the last several years, public safety being included is a must. Parks being included is a must. Public works is certainly worthy of discussion.”

Esparza: Keep Special Interests on the Sidelines

With those added dimensions, Esparza said, a new sales tax would build a larger consensus. But, he added, the best course is to limit negotiations to the council and mayor.
“We’re elected to make these big decisions, these critical decisions on behalf of the city,” Esparza said. “From my perspective, it is the elected officials (who should be) talking and not necessarily being driven by the special interests.”
Soria, who also supported Measure P, said that she is focused on parks and public safety.

This road on Orange Avenue in southeast Fresno without sidewalks was a focal point of a battle over funding Fresno streets earlier this year. (GV Wire File)

Brand’s Rationale for New Public Works Funding

However, Brand said Fresno’s maintenance backlog is so big for streets and sidewalks that the city can’t catch up without new funding.
“As any politician who has walked precincts can tell you, people want their sidewalks fixed and the potholes on their street repaired,” Brand said.
If a measure is put in front of voters by a council vote, state law is clear that it needs two-thirds to pass because the tax is for a specific purpose. Brand said that if the council balks, he would lead a voter signature drive to get it on the ballot.

Flexibility Sought for Dividing Public Safety Allotment

An interesting feature of Brand’s out-of-the-gate idea is that $23 million going each year to public safety wouldn’t necessarily be split equally between the police and fire departments. He said that flexibility is needed so that City Hall can budget based on police and fire needs at the time.
The mayor also said that he opposes a sales tax hike that goes to the General Fund for unspecified uses. Though the bar for voter approval is reduced to 50%-plus-one in such a scenario, Brand said that voters want to know exactly how their tax dollars will be used.

Photo of Nelson Esparza
The cake on this measure is certainly not baked yet. Based on the politics we’ve seen here the last several years, public safety being included is a must. Parks being included is a must. Public works is certainly worthy of discussion.” — Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza
According to Brand’s analysis, November 2020 is the city’s best opportunity for a sales-tax increase. The local ballot next March is expected to be crowded with school bond measures. And he anticipates backers of Fresno County’s Measure C transportation tax will seek an early extension in 2022.
“November 2020 is our window,” Brand said. “But whatever we come up with, we have to do polling to see if it will be successful.”

If Approved, Sales Tax Would Be 8.725%

If a 0.75% increase is approved, the combined city’s sales tax would be 8.725%. Today’s rate is 7.975% — of which 7.25% goes to the state and the remainder to Fresno County for transportation (.50%), libraries (.125%), and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo (.10%).
The sales taxes in neighboring cities are Clovis, 7.975%; Fowler, 8.975%; Madera, 8.250%; Sanger, 8.725%; and Selma, 8.475%.
California allows local governments to collect additional sales taxes of up to 3.50% with approval by voters. Santa Fe Springs, which is in Los Angeles County, has the state’s highest sales tax at 10.5%.

Measure P’s Fate Remains Unknown

Last year’s Measure P would have lasted 30 years and raised $37 annually million for parks and related programs. It faced opposition from Brand, Police Chief Jerry Dyer, and many in the business community. Many community groups, including the Central Valley Community Foundation and Fresno Building Healthy Communities, supported the plan, which garnered 52% support.
In 2017, the state Supreme Court ruled that some elements needed to pass a specific tax don’t apply if it is placed on the ballot via voter signatures. That was how Measure P got on the ballot.
What remains to be decided is the standard for approval: two-thirds or a majority. A judge in San Francisco ruled that a majority is sufficient. Recently, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Gaab said that such measures still required two-thirds support.
The state Supreme Court is expected to make the ultimate decision.
 

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

Fresno State Bulldogs Can’t Find Answer for Daniels in Loss at Kansas

DON'T MISS

Hegseth Authorizes Troops in DC to Carry Weapons

DON'T MISS

Texas, Florida Seek to Join Legal Challenge to Abortion Pill

DON'T MISS

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Released, May Be Detained Again

DON'T MISS

Judge Blocks Trump From Withholding Funds From Los Angeles, Other Sanctuary Cities

DON'T MISS

Lyle Menendez Denied Parole After 35 Years in Prison for Parents’ Shotgun Murders

DON'T MISS

California Cities Lack Unified Response On Homeless Encampments

DON'T MISS

Trump Crime Crackdown Deploys Troops in Washington’s Safest Sites

DON'T MISS

California Voters Still Support High-Speed Rail, Even If It Never Gets Done

DON'T MISS

Turkish First Lady Urges Melania Trump to Speak out on Gaza

UP NEXT

California Voters Still Support High-Speed Rail, Even If It Never Gets Done

UP NEXT

Fresno Crash Sends Car Into Building After Running Red Light

UP NEXT

Fresno City Gets Extension in Herndon 4-Story Apartment Case

UP NEXT

Atwater Prison Inmate Charged for Threatening to Kill Prosecutor’s Family

UP NEXT

Fresno Firefighters Contain Cambridge Avenue Blaze, No Injuries Reported

UP NEXT

With Major Heat Risk Forecast, This Is a Good Weekend to Stay Indoors in Fresno

UP NEXT

Remembering Ron McCary, Who Did It All for KMJ

UP NEXT

Community Shares Messages of Support for Joseph Castro While He Is in Hospice Care

UP NEXT

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

UP NEXT

Fresno Hit-and-Run on Highway 168 Kills Motorcyclist, Victim Identified

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Released, May Be Detained Again

12 hours ago

Judge Blocks Trump From Withholding Funds From Los Angeles, Other Sanctuary Cities

12 hours ago

Lyle Menendez Denied Parole After 35 Years in Prison for Parents’ Shotgun Murders

12 hours ago

California Cities Lack Unified Response On Homeless Encampments

12 hours ago

Trump Crime Crackdown Deploys Troops in Washington’s Safest Sites

12 hours ago

California Voters Still Support High-Speed Rail, Even If It Never Gets Done

12 hours ago

Turkish First Lady Urges Melania Trump to Speak out on Gaza

12 hours ago

Fresno Crash Sends Car Into Building After Running Red Light

1 day ago

Fresno City Gets Extension in Herndon 4-Story Apartment Case

1 day ago

Atwater Prison Inmate Charged for Threatening to Kill Prosecutor’s Family

1 day ago

Fresno State Bulldogs Can’t Find Answer for Daniels in Loss at Kansas

The Bulldogs could not stop Jalon Daniels. If the Kansas sixth-year quarterback wasn’t accurately completing passes, he was running out of t...

40 minutes ago

40 minutes ago

Fresno State Bulldogs Can’t Find Answer for Daniels in Loss at Kansas

Soldiers with the 30th Armored Combat Brigade from the South Carolina National Guard at Union Station in Washington, Aug. 20, 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops deployed to Washington to bring their weapons with them on their mission. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
10 hours ago

Hegseth Authorizes Troops in DC to Carry Weapons

A patient prepares to take Mifepristone, the first pill in a medical abortion, at Alamo Women's Clinic in Carbondale, Illinois, U.S., April 9, 2024. (Reuters File)
12 hours ago

Texas, Florida Seek to Join Legal Challenge to Abortion Pill

Kilmar Abrego Garcia walks, after he has been released from the Putnam County Jail in Cookville, Tennessee, U.S., August 22, 2025. (Reuters/Seth Herald)
12 hours ago

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Released, May Be Detained Again

U.S. flag and Judge gavel are seen in this illustration taken, August 6, 2024. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
12 hours ago

Judge Blocks Trump From Withholding Funds From Los Angeles, Other Sanctuary Cities

Lyle Menendez attends his Board of Parole hearing online from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, U.S., August 22, 2025, that could lead to freedom after decades in prison for the 1989 shotgun murders of his parents. The final decision will rest with the governor, who can either accept or reject the board's recommendation. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/Handout via REUTERS
12 hours ago

Lyle Menendez Denied Parole After 35 Years in Prison for Parents’ Shotgun Murders

12 hours ago

California Cities Lack Unified Response On Homeless Encampments

Members of the Mississippi National Guard eat ice cream and boba tea on the National Mall after U.S. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to assist in crime prevention, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 21, 2025. (Reuters/Al Drago)
12 hours ago

Trump Crime Crackdown Deploys Troops in Washington’s Safest Sites

Search

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

Send this to a friend