Fresno council may put half-cent sales tax on November ballot

Fresno City Council members are scheduled to consider placing a city-only half-cent sales-tax measure before voters on Thursday, July 30, as the city prepares for the expected loss of Measure C funding.

The proposed measure would be considered for the November 3, 2026, election. The council must act by the August 7 ballot-placement deadline if the proposal is to move forward for voter consideration.

What the proposal would do

The draft resolution calls for a one-half-percent city sales and use tax designed to maintain Fresno’s current combined sales-tax rate of 8.35%, according to the proposed ballot language. The measure is projected to generate approximately $65 million per year.

The proposed tax would last for 10 years or end earlier if a county transportation tax is adopted. The ballot language identifies roads, transportation, sidewalks, public safety, transit, airport improvements and other city services as intended uses for the money.

That list does not mean the revenue would be legally restricted to those purposes. The proposal is structured as a general tax, which means the money would be deposited into the city’s general fund. Future city budgets would determine how the revenue is spent.

Why the city is considering it

Measure C, the countywide transportation funding measure, is expected to expire in 2027. Fresno leaders had been looking toward a proposed countywide Better Roads, Safe Streets measure as a possible replacement, but Fresno County supervisors delayed that effort during a July 14 meeting, according to KVPR.

That delay prompted city officials to pursue a separate proposal focused on preserving revenue for city services and infrastructure-related needs. Fresnoland reported that city leaders are concerned about the potential funding gap and the effect on transportation work, public services and city employees.

The city measure would not automatically replace every program supported by Measure C. Its estimated annual revenue would also depend on future sales activity, so the approximately $65 million figure is a projection rather than a guaranteed amount.

What remains undecided

The tax has not been approved, and the measure will not appear on the November ballot unless the council takes formal action. Even if the council approves ballot placement, Fresno voters would still make the final decision on November 3.

The July 30 meeting is therefore the immediate decision point. Residents, businesses and commuters will also want to watch for the final resolution, ballot language and any spending commitments made during the council discussion.

For shoppers and businesses, the proposal is designed to keep the existing 8.35% combined sales-tax rate in place rather than increase it. For taxpayers and voters, the central question is whether to continue that revenue stream under city control and allow the city’s general fund to support the listed priorities and other municipal needs.

Sources

• Fresno City Council July 30 agenda
• Fresnoland: City of Fresno introduces tax plan
• KVPR: Fresno supervisors delay Better Roads tax measure