Saying a proposal to extend term limits to 12 years would allow him to finish the work he’s started, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said he would run for a third term if voters and the City Council approve a new initiative.

At a news conference Monday morning, Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza introduced two proposals, along with two others he called part of a series on “good governance.”

Currently, councilmembers and mayors in Fresno are limited to two consecutive terms. Esparza’s proposal caps the city’s elected officials to 12 total years in office. Another from Esparza would create a citizen commission to oversee council redistricting.

Fresno City Council will vote Thursday on whether to  put those two proposals and two others on the November ballot.

Dyer said three terms would increase stability given how long it takes to complete projects and because of “frequent vision changes.”

“I want to finish what I started, and if that means a third term, and the voters want me to be their mayor for a third time, then so be it,” Dyer said. “If they don’t, then I’ll be happy in retirement.”

Maxwell Supports Third Dyer Campaign

Dyer said a third term would allow him to continue the “enormous” amount of work left to do in downtown Fresno and in Chinatown.

“I also believe that we have a lot of public works projects in terms of fixing our roads and our sidewalks throughout Fresno,” Dyer said.

Fresno City Council Vice President Tyler Maxwell, who many have long speculated would make a mayoral run after Dyer, said he would support Dyer if he decided to run. Maxwell’s second term ends in 2028. The ballot proposition would make him eligible for a third term as well.

“In terms of what that means for my own career, I haven’t gotten that far yet. I’m still focused on my second term,” Maxwell said.

Dyer’s term ends in 2028. He said a lot can happen between now and then, but as long as he stays healthy, he plans to run.

Related Story: Dyer Says He’s OK With Esparza Proposal to Hand SEDA Decisions to Voters

Esparza Says Limit Increase Stops Lifetime Politicians

Esparza said the proposal would stop politicians from making a lifelong career in the city of Fresno. The limit would apply retroactively.

“This amendment would set a hard ceiling for the first time in the history of this city,” Esparza said. “And that ceiling would be 12 years and you are finished for life. Not out for a cycle, but rather a lifetime ban once your service to our city is complete. 12 years is the standard for a city of our size.”

Dyer said there’s a significant learning curve for people coming into office, and it takes three years to fully understand how the office works.

For instance, the underpass being built at Blackstone and McKinley avenues will not be completed until 2030 at the earliest, Dyer said. That project began in 2021, Dyer’s first year in office.

He said frequent vision changes can create instability in a city.

“Frequent turnover in any organization is not healthy,” Dyer said.

Related Story: Fresno City Council to Vote on Half-Cent Sales Tax Measure for November Ballot

Redistricting Committee Members Banned from City Business

Fresno City Councilmembers will also vote on a citizen-led advisory committee for redistricting. Currently, councilmembers decide boundaries every 10 years when new census data is released.

Each city councilmember would choose a representative to decide new boundaries. Those committee members would then be prohibited from doing any business with the city — including contracts, lobbying, or other commission — for four years. They would not be able to hold office for 10 years.

“We’re setting them in place four years ahead of the next map and years ahead of the next open seat when no one in this city can calculate the advantage,” Esparza said.

Maxwell said many other cities have already adopted the citizen-led process.

“We want to make it as apolitical as possible. You heard about the limits when it comes to lobbyists, when it comes to folks serving in the Republican Central Committee, the Democrat Central Committee as well,” Maxwell said. “We want to make sure it’s a fair process.”