Potentially competing sales tax measures to fund future Fresno County transportation projects could merge — if continued negotiations are successful.

Representatives of the government coalition behind Measure C are optimistic that they can work a deal with Transportation For All, a coalition of social justice groups. Both have differing ideas on what the half-cent sales tax — which expires in 2027 — would look like.

“We’re cautiously optimistic that we can get to an agreement with all parties,” said Terry Ogle, the outgoing executive director of the Fresno County Transportation Agency.

Ogle said the challenges are distribution of funds and outreach methods. What percentage of the funds should money go for road repair or public transportation? And, where should road repair dollars be spent more — in urban Fresno and Clovis or in rural communities?

Robert Phipps, executive director of the Fresno Council of Governments — a regional transportation agency — said the two sides are also discussing timelines. He called the meetings, about once a week since April, “cordial.”

“The focus has been on making this work,” Phipps said. “I think it’s been very positive and productive.”

If each side attempts its own version of a Measure C renewal, some people  believe both will fail, including Phipps.

“One (measure) is better than two,” Phipps said. “We think it is important that the region speak in one voice on this, because otherwise, a house divided cannot stand.”

First passed in 1986, voters approved renewal for 20 years in 2006. Measure C said it has raised $2.1 billion in taxes in nearly 40 years. That has led to more than $8 billion in additional state and federal grants.

Since 2007, the city of Fresno alone has received $120 million for roads, $19 million for public transportation, and $19 million for bike/pedestrian/trail lanes, Measure C said.

Mike Karbassi, president of the Fresno City Council and an FCTA board member, has low expectations of a Measure C renewal passing next year. He said so multiple times during city budget hearings this month.

If Measure C is not renewed, Phipps said larger cities like Fresno could pass taxes or bonds for road projects.

“But the impact would be felt much more acutely for the smaller guys,” Phipps said.

Calls to members of Transportation for All were not returned before publication of this story.

Outreach and Presentations

Fresno COG/FCTA and Transportation for All are holding outreach events.

Fresno COG/FCTA have made presentations at several city council meetings, with Fresno scheduled for Thursday. The group also met with the Fresno Chamber Government Affairs Council on Wednesday.

The next public outreach meeting for Fresno COG/FCTA is June 23 at the Betty Rodriguez Library in Fresno. Meetings in north Fresno, Sanger and Clovis will follow.

Transportation for All has held several of its own meetings, the next on June 18 at the Big Red Church in Fresno.

Phipps said fixing roads are a top priority in meetings thus far.

“Road maintenance-rehabilitation is by far the number-one issue. And it has been for some time now,” Phipps said.

He also said public transportation is gaining traction, as are pothole repairs.

“Freeway widening and lengthening … are demonstrating considerably less interest than what we’ve seen previously,” Phipps said.

Brandau Helping Mediate

Steve Brandau, the former Fresno County supervisor, is mediating meetings between the two sides on behalf of the Central Valley Community Foundation.

“Things are moving positively. There is lots of work left; a majority of folks trying to work together,” Brandau said.

CVCF has said in the past that if the two sides agree to one renewal package, it would sponsor gathering signatures to place the item on the ballot.

Both Ogle and Phipps hope for a resolution, positive or negative, by the end of the summer. The next meeting between Fresno COG/FCTA and Transportation for All is Friday.

Measure C Leader Leaving

Ogle, FCTA executive director, is leaving his position next month for a job in the private sector. He is moving to southern California to work on a civil infrastructure project at Los Angeles International Airport for HDR — an Omaha, Nebraska based engineering firm.

Ogle called the timing “unfortunate.”

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for me to go into the private sector and be involved in a large design-build construction project,” Ogle said.

The FCTA board has not named Ogle’s replacement.

Getting on the Ballot

Voters supported Measure C renewal with 58% of the vote in a 2022, but it failed because it did not receive the two-thirds required because it is a tax for a specific purpose.

Placing the measure on the ballot through signatures lowers the requirement to pass — only a majority is needed. That is the avenue Transportation for All is considering.

Neither side has publicly said how long the measure will be, or if it will retain the half-cent sales tax.

The method for Fresno COG/FCTA placing the item on the ballot is a multi-step procedure. That would require a two-thirds approval from voters on the 2026 ballot.

To even be placed on the ballot, cities representing a majority of Fresno County voters would need to approve the spending plan. That means either the Fresno City Council approves, or if not, the remaining fourteen cities and the Fresno County Board of Supervisors would have to vote in favor.

Then, the supervisors would vote to place the item on the ballot.

The government group cannot place an item through signatures, just through the ratification process.

Even if Transportation for All engages in signature gathering, Fresno COG/FCTA will still continue with its method of placing the Measure C renewal on the ballot.

“If there’s a signature gathering campaign going on, we can’t really afford to just stop,” Phipps said.

Layers of Measure C Bureaucracy

There are several layers of bureaucracy for shaping the next Measure C.

The Fresno Council of Governments is a regional transportation agency, with a policy board. The 15 mayors from cities in Fresno County and the chair of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors make up the board.

The Fresno County Transportation Authority is the official board created by Measure C, a nine-member board comprised of elected officials from around the region, and two non-elected members at large.

Fresno COG and FCTA also have a Measure C Renewal Steering Committee, 25 members from the public from business, labor, and nonprofits. This is the main group that is helping shape the renewal policy. The committee next meets Thursday at 3 p.m.

There is also the Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee, a 15-member public board which reviews spending.