Matt Basgall says it’s hard to run the city of Clovis from the other side of the dais.

Basgall, a one-term city councilmember, plans to keep it that way. The city’s former police chief announced Monday night at the council meeting he will not seek re-election in 2026.

He told Politics 101 it was best for his family.

“Having served a few years on (the city council), I probably determined that politics probably isn’t just the best for me. So we’ll give somebody else an opportunity to jump in and run,” Basgall said.

Voters elected Basgall in 2022.

Clovis moves to district elections in 2026, which could have pitted Basgall against fellow sitting councilmember Diane Pearce. Both live in what will be District 4, the northeast part of Clovis.

Basgall said that did not play into his decision.

Pearce intends to run for the seat in 2026.

“I learned that it’s probably, being a police chief, it’s a lot easier to get things done. You can just kind of get after it and make things happen and I think when you’re working in a political environment and council environment, it is not as easy or as quickly to get things done as you would like to do. And I think that sometimes becomes frustrating as well,” Basgall said.

Fresno Budget Again at a $55 Million Imbalance

Mayor Jerry Dyer and his budget team worked long hours to fix a $50 million hole in the Fresno budget to present a legally-required balanced plan to the city council.

After a week-plus of hearings and motions, the budget has a $55 million gap.

On Tuesday, the city council made several more motions to adjust the budget for various parks, maintenance, and other projects. The money would come from several sources: the general fund,  Measure P parks tax, and Measure C transportation tax.

The council approved the proposed changes on a 6-0 vote with Miguel Arias absent.

City Manager Georgeanne White warned the council that these motions may not be the final word.

“(The motion) does not mean that every single one of these items are funded. The budget is now out of balance,” White said.

Now, the mayor’s budget team will have to reconcile the new requests, and inform the city council which motions can be funded.

“That will be the final determining factor of which motions will pass,” White said.

Dyer seemed relatively calm when speaking to the council, saying they can get the job done. He said he will meet with councilmembers to get the budget “back in balance.”

“We’re truly confident you can do it,” City Council President Mike Karbassi said.

Karbassi called this “a normal part of the budget process.”

“The council makes motions. Some get removed, some get reduced, some get fully funded and other items the mayor presented get cut to pay for it,” Karbassi said.

Other councilmembers are optimistic.

Nelson Esparza said he doesn’t view the gap as a deficit, but rather “a temporary imbalance.

We always land the plane right where it needs to be,” Esparza said.

Clovis Approves Budget

The city of Clovis officially approved its $395 million budget on Monday on a 3-2 vote. Vong Mouanoutoua, Diane Pearce and Drew Bessinger voted in favor.

Matt Basgall and Lynne Ashbeck voted no. Ashbeck said she approved the spending, but not the timing of the vote. She wanted to wait until unions officially approved ongoing labor contracts — which is expected to happen soon.

Electronic Billboards Not Coming to Clovis

The Clovis council also discussed the pressing issue of electronic billboards in the city. While technically banned, there are several exceptions. The proposed research and technology park on Temperance and Highway 168, and the rodeo grounds are some examples. Schools are also exempt.

City staff presented to the council options of keeping the ban or ending it. Keeping city aesthetics was the top reason given for the rules.

“We’re trying to prevent, I guess for a lack of a better description, a Blackstone Avenue,” planner George Gonzalez told the city council.

Ultimately, the council punted, wanting the yet-to-be-formed General Plan Advisory Committee to make a suggestion.

County to Appeal Election Ruling

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will challenge a judge’s ruling about when the next district attorney and sheriff elections will be.

A state law moved the timing of the elections to take place the same year as a presidential election. For the terms of Fresno County DA Lisa Smittcamp and Sheriff John Zanoni, that would mean a potential re-election in 2028 instead of 2026.

The supervisors placed a initiative on the 2024 ballot, Measure A, that moved the election dates back to the same year as gubernatorial elections — the next being 2026.

The state sued the county. Earlier this month, Fresno County Superior Court Judge D. Tyler Tharpe ruled Measure A invalid, saying that the state law cannot be superceded.

The supervisors decided to appeal, after a closed session at Tuesday’s meeting.

“The County respectfully disagrees with the Superior Court and intends to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal,” a brief statement from the county said.

Generous Tyler Maxwell

Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell is finding a way to spend some of his campaign money — contribute to other candidates in 2026.

In a filing last week, Maxwell reported contributing $5,900 to Robert Fuentes, $5,900 to colleague Annalisa Perea, and $1,000 to Adam Gray.

Although still listed as “Fuentes for Senate 2022,” Fuentes intends to run for Fresno City Council District 1, succeeding Perea. She plans to run for state Assembly.

Gray, D-Merced, is a first-term congressmember, representing parts of Merced, Madera, and Fresno counties.

Maxwell won his second term on the council last year. He reported $107,659 cash on hand as of Dec. 31, 2024.

There are several whispers that Maxwell plans to run for mayor in 2028.

Selma Mayor Settles Criminal Case

Selma Mayor Scott Robertson settled his criminal case regarding illegal electioneering.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office charged Robertson with one misdemeanor count of campaigning too close to an election site last November.

Prosecutors alleged that on Nov. 5, 2024, Robertson, running for mayor, approached voters waiting in line on Election Day while holding a campaign sign and spoke to some about his reelection bid. State law prohibits campaigning in the immediate vicinity of a polling place on Election Day.

Robertson pleaded not guilty at his June 5 arraignment.

“Upon our recommendation, he was granted diversion pursuant to Penal Code 1001.95. He was ordered by the Judge to complete 20 hours of community service and obey all laws,” DA spokesperson Taylor Long said.

In a Facebook message, Robertson said he “voluntarily proposed” the settlement “as a good faith effort to resolve the matter efficiently and responsibly.”

Robertson reiterated this was not a guilty plea or admission of wrongdoing.

“I am grateful to move forward and stay focused on the work that matters most: serving the people of Selma,” Robertson said.

A judge will review Robertson’s progress on Sept. 5.

The San Joaquin Valley Sun first reported the story.

Smoke Shop Permit Applications Now Open

After a judge allowed Fresno’s ordinance to regulate smoke shops to remain in place, the city is soliciting applications.

Last week, federal Judge Kirk Sherriff denied a restraining order request from the California Smoke Shops Association to halt the law. Sherriff ruled the request was premature.

Smoke shops can now apply for one of 49 conditional use permits. The application window runs through Aug. 27.

A lottery will be used to determine the 49 permit holders. Stores without a permit must close by Dec. 5, 2026.

The association returns to court next month in another attempt to halt the law.