Fresno’s $2.6 Billion Budget Approved. What’s In It?

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer had his proposed $2.56 billion budget approved Tuesday by the Fresno City Council after district representatives made nearly 100 motions totaling almost $50 million over the two-week course of negotiations.

As officials faced a $34.5 million budget shortfall, councilmembers had their final chance to fund projects and programs before approving the 2026-27 spending plan for the city.

Of the funding for the 99 motions made by councilmembers, $5 million came from the general fund.

Projects include increased funding for the city’s Eviction Protection Program, a hike for the gang violence prevention initiative Advance Peace, more money for spay and neuter programs, and $50,000 to audit the Fresno Grizzlies’ parent organization.

A second homeless response team, made up of Fresno police officers, was also funded.

This comes as COVID-19-era American Rescue Plan dollars that for years buoyed local budgets dry up.

“This was an extremely challenging budget year, due to limited revenue as compared to our growing expenses and much of that driven by inflation and contractual obligations both with our labor unions and our vendors that we have for technology… as well as facility costs,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer told the public after the 7-0 vote.

What Did Council Want in Fresno Budget?

Before Dyer could get his budget approved, he met privately with councilmembers to learn what they wanted but didn’t see in his proposed budget.

Some items of note include:

• $2 million to First 5 for an early learning initiative
• $2.64 million for firefighter drill schools capable of training 40 new firefighters
• $1 million for an infill housing program
• $1 million for sidewalks in the Tower District and downtown Fresno
• $700,000 for trash removal along freeway embankments
• $350,000 for pressure washers capable of deeper cleaning in the Tower District
• $100,000 for the Fresno Police Chaplaincy
• $50,000 for first stages of a new park near Addams Elementary
• $65,000 for a community liaison for Middle Eastern and North African communities
• $20,000 for Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries

Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza told GV Wire during a news conference that it is the job of council to make sure programs throughout the city are funded.

“Each councilmember is fighting for their district, you cannot fault them for that,” Esparza said. “Honestly, we’ve gone a little overboard, it’s up to us to reel it back in and figure out what the ultimate priorities are for this fiscal year and what can wait for future fiscal years.”

Eviction Protection, Advance Peace, Spay & Neuter

This year, the city funded spay and neuter programs at a record level, Dyer said.

Bolstered by a $300,000 matching donation from the Dogwood Animal Rescue, the $825,000 for spay and neuter programs from the city aims to better control Fresno’s animal population.

“That’s more money than we have ever spent in the history of our program,” Dyer said Tuesday.

The city also increased its funding for the Eviction Protection Program from the normal $1.5 million to $1.8 million at the request of City Councilmember Annalisa Perea.

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz, whose department executes the program, told GV Wire that the additional $300,000 could help hundreds more residents.

The city also funded Advance Peace with $1.2 million that will not only fully fund the program through the year, but also help pay for three new staff members, Dyer said.

Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias said the investment in Advance Peace is money well spent because its efforts reduce the violence that chews through city and county funds.

Dyer, however, said program leaders need to look beyond the city of Fresno for future funding.

“It is my hope that Advance Peace will (now) pursue additional outside funding sources beyond the city of Fresno,” Dyer said.

Fresno Grizzlies Audit

After originally having an audit of Fresno Grizzlies’ owners Diamond Baseball Holdings removed from the budget, Arias funded the $50,000 endeavor with his own district funds.

Arias said despite spending $3 million a year on debt for Chukchansi Park and providing $7 million above contract for improvements, the city still has to pay to use the stadium for events.

To host an event, the city will have to pay between $150,000 and $200,000 at the stadium, he said.

“I think it’s important that we audit the operations of the facility and make sure they’re meeting their obligations and that we’re capturing whatever revenue we’re supposed to, and they’re not just simply draining the cash out of the facility,” Arias said.

Second HART Team

The creation of a second Homeless Assistance Response Team came with controversy.

A police sergeant and four officers will be dedicated to property issues and crimes related to the city’s homeless population.

During public comment, some said the city’s primary HART team has destroyed personal property and harmed unhoused people rather than helping them.

A letter to the city from a special education teacher called for expanded shelters and outreach programs.

Arias said the city has dedicated millions to helping house homeless residents. Along with that, he said, the city has a responsibility to help reduce crime generated by the unhoused.

“Our kids deserve to be able to walk to school and not have to step over people and deserve to be able to stand at a bus stop and not have to argue with somebody who’s engaging in drug use,” Arias said. “They have a right to go to the neighborhood park and not see an encampment or people engaging in illicit activity, and it’s our responsibility to try to reach that balance.”

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