FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno City Council spent more than 12 hours Thursday debating and voting on a series of proposals that could shape the city’s future.
The marathon meeting came as city leaders raced to act on several ballot measures before the Aug. 7 deadline to qualify ballot measures for the November election.
The agenda items ranged from taxes and development to term limits and redistricting.
After 13-hour meeting, Fresno City Council approves tax, weighs ballot measures
Among the proposals were a half-cent sales tax to replace revenue from the expiring Measure C transportation tax, changes to term limits for elected officials, a proposal to change funding rules for the Southeast Development Area (SEDA), and a redistricting measure.
The council approved the proposed half-cent sales tax on a 6-1 vote, sending the measure to Fresno voters this November. City leaders say the tax would replace revenue lost when Measure C expires next June and help maintain city services, road repairs and public transportation.
The council also considered a proposal that would impose lifetime term limits on the mayor and city councilmembers, which was tabled. Councilmembers also pulled the “No Debt on Development Act,” which would have changed how the SEDA project could be funded.
Thursday’s meeting stretched late into the evening as councilmembers worked through the packed agenda ahead of next week’s ballot deadline.