Fresno City Council Unanimously Backs County Transportation Tax Initiative

The Fresno City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Better Roads Safe Streets initiative, a sales tax measure that would fund transportation needs and infrastructure across Fresno County.

The initiative seeks to renew an already existing transportation sales tax, not add a new tax on top of it. Fresno County elections officials are currently verifying signatures to place the measure on the November ballot.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said at a Thursday news conference that Fresno would expect at least $75 million annually for transportation needs if the measure passes. He said almost two-thirds of the money would be dedicated to fixing local roads, including alleyways, sidewalks, and median islands.

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Without the funding, city leaders said money may have to be pulled from other city departments to handle road repairs and sidewalk improvements. Councilmember Miguel Arias said that could mean pulling money away from police, fire, and parks.

Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters James Kus confirmed his office is working to complete signature verification before the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 14. They are required to complete the review by August 18.

Councilmembers Tyler Maxwell and Nick Richardson also spoke in favor of the tax initiative. Maxwell said the measure would provide “complete streets for all of our neighborhoods, no longer having to wait a generation or two to get your street paved, the potholes fixed, the sidewalks level, the trees trim, or new trees planted.”

The Breakdown

• The Better Roads Safe Streets initiative would renew an existing transportation sales tax, not create a new one
• County elections officials are verifying signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot
• Signature verification must be completed by August 18, with a goal of finishing before the July 14 Board of Supervisors meeting
• If approved by voters, Fresno would receive at least $75 million annually for transportation needs
• Almost two-thirds of funds would go to local roads, alleyways, sidewalks, and median islands

What This Means for You

If this measure qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it in November, your existing sales tax rate would continue funding road repairs, sidewalk improvements, and other transportation infrastructure. Without it, the city has indicated it may need to redirect funding from police, fire, and parks departments to pay for road maintenance, potentially affecting those services in your neighborhood.