The complicated process to place the renewal of a Fresno County-wide sales tax measure for transportation projects is finally opening up to the public.

Starting with its Oct. 9 meeting, the Measure C Steering Committee is now considered a Brown Act committee — meaning it will comply with state open meeting laws. That means the public must be allowed to attend and make public comments.

Previously, the committee was considered an advisory group, picked by the Fresno Council of Governments — a public agency focused on regional transportation issues. Although meetings were recorded and agendas posted, it was not fully public.

Another layer of bureaucracy, the Measure C Facilitation Committee, has been dissolved. That group, made up of FCOG board and staff members, as well as some social justice groups, helped pick the steering committee members and help the workflow.

An COG spokesperson said the group dissolved “feeling like their work was done.”

Ashjian Filed Complaint

Former steering committee member Brooke Ashjian filed a complaint with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, alleging the facilitation committee operated in secret instead of out in the open.

FCOG Executive Director Robert Phipps said the move to fully open meetings was “in the interest of trying to mitigate the issue.”

Phipps told Politics 101 that steering committee members would not have to submit finance disclosure forms because the board is advisory and not subject to such requirements.

“Sunlight and bleach cleanses all germs,” Ashjian said. “It should have been a public process. It wasn’t and they knew better. They heard the footsteps of the DA coming.”

The next steering committee is 3 p.m. Thursday at the COG office, Sequoia Conference Room, 2035 Tulare St., Suite 201, in downtown Fresno.

At the Oct. 9 meeting, the steering committee heard several presentations, including spending allocations for micro-transit.

Micro-transit is essentially using individual vehicles to shuttle residents around. A pilot program in Biola failed. Even though the cost was $5 a ride, not enough people used the service.

Old, New Candidates File

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp officially filed Oct. 7 to run for re-election. A recent court ruling solidified the next election date in 2028.

Smittcamp is a three-term DA, first elected in 2014.

A state law changed when most county DAs and sheriffs would run for re-election — moving them from non-presidential to presidential election years.

That meant Smittcamp would have a one-time six-year term. Fresno County voters decided to keep the 2026 election. The state sued, and won, setting the 2028 date.

Former Sheriff Margaret Mims officially filed Oct. 10 to run for Fresno County Supervisor, succeeding Buddy Mendes. Mendes endorsed her last week when he announced he would not run for another term in 2026.

Ingram Tate filed paperwork on Oct. 7 to run for the Fresno Unified Area 1 trustee seat. The current trustee, Keshia Thomas, plans to run for Fresno City Council.

Get Well, Monty Torres

Monty Torres, the long-time anchor of the Fox26 10 O’Clock News revealed he is battling lung cancer. He has been off the air for several weeks.

Monday, Torres recorded a video that aired during the news, updating his situation. He noticed breathing problems and saw a doctor.

He called the diagnosis inoperable, but treatable. Torres is a non-smoker.

“This is still a developing story, meaning how it ends is still unknown,” Torres said. “The one who reveals that outcome hasn’t revealed that chapter yet.”

He talked about his faith, and asked for prayers.

Kim Stephens, normally the morning show anchor, has filled in on the night shift.

Torres has been a stalwart on Fox26 for 20 years. He is also very community minded. Here’s to his recovery and return to broadcasting.

Madera County Featured in National Documentary

Madera County is getting national attention and a boost from a well-known Hollywood star as part of a short documentary about the best places to live.

Produced by Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, the five-minute feature “illustrates how Madera County boasts a thriving, close-knit community with majestic ag land, breathtaking landscape of rugged mountains and glistening lakes at its core,” a county news release said.

The feature will air on public television stations across the nation.