A committee crafting the next version of a Fresno County transportation sales tax is recommending a 30-year Measure C renewal.

The half-cent sales tax expires in June 2027. It needs to be renewed next year for local funds and matching state and federal funds to remain available.

The Measure C Steering Committee met Thursday, with 22 of the 29 members present voting to renew the measure for 30 years. The other option was 20 years. That received seven votes.

The previous measures approved by voters — establishing the tax in 1986 and renewing it in 2006 — were for 20 years each.

Accountability and Accounting

At a previous meeting, the committee established categories for spending — existing neighborhood roads, public transportation, regional connectivity, active transportation, other, and administration.

The committee took a preliminary vote on how much to allocate to each category. The math wasn’t matching for the board tallying up results, so no recommendation was forwarded. An early look at the vote showed 52% to go for neighborhood roads. The expiring measure currently allocates  about 65% for roads.

A more precise allocation plan is expected at the next meeting Oct. 2.

The committee also approved sending several suggestions to the Fresno Council of Governments board for accountability, including reviewing the spending plan every 10 years, ensuring transparency, and determining how amendments to the spending plan should be approved.

Members also discussed how to recruit and diversify an oversight committee.

Measure C has generated more than $2.1 billion locally and leveraged $8 billion more in state and federal funding since its inception. For most households, the sales tax amounts to about
$4 to $8 per month through everyday purchases like clothing, movie tickets, and restaurant dining.

Officials: Light Rail Costs Too Much

Several committee members had questions on the cost of expanding public transit options, including light rail. Transportation officials answered through a FAQ.

Transportation officials said light rail implementation is too costly.

“The likelihood of (the federal government) funding a light rail project in Fresno County is unlikely based on the cost per mile and lack of population density to have adequate ridership,” officials said.

And, it would be even tougher in rural areas.

“The capital and infrastructure costs and ridership numbers are not favorable and would require a lot of subsidy for operations and capital — not to mention what the fares would be especially in rural areas where the population density is low and communities are far apart which would add to the significant costs and low ridership to justify such a system,” transportation officials answered.

Bus rapid transit would be a preferable transportation system connecting Fresno and Kingsburg because “light rail was too costly and Fresno County lacked the population density to support the necessary ridership with market rate fares.”

Upgrading the city of Fresno bus system to 15-minute stops would cost nearly $1.25 billion.

Next Steps

Final recommendations are expected next month. Boards from Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority will need to approve the plan before it goes to the city councils within the county for approval.

It is up to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors to place a measure on the ballot. However, citizens groups have the avenue of placing a Measure C alternative on ballot via petition signatures.

The facilitator of the committee, Mark Keppler, advised the committee: “If you want your recommendation to be taken seriously, it has to be grounded in reality.”

The Fresno COG Policy Board approved the 38-member committee. It represents cities, labor and other community groups. A decision earlier this year added 12 members (of 26) appointed by Transportation for All — a coalition of social justice groups that considered placing its own transportation measure on the ballot.

Former Fresno City Councilmember Larry Westerlund joined the committee, replacing Brooke Ashjian as the city of Fresno representative. Gloria Hernandez was added as an alternate representing Stop the Violence.