Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza speaks at a news conference at Fresno City Hall on Thursday, July 23 to announce a half-cent sales tax proposal for the City of Fresno. Photo by Dylan Gonzales
published on July 31, 2026 – 3:20 PM
Written by Frank Lopez
The Fresno City Council approved placing a new half-cent general sales tax on the November ballot to replace transportation funding that will be lost when the Measure C transportation tax expires in June 2027.
The council voted 6-1 to place the half-cent General Fund sales tax on the November ballot after the Fresno County Board of Supervisors delayed action on a Measure C replacement proposal, “Better Roads Safer Streets,” by requesting an economic impact study. It is not likely to reach the voting ballots until 2028 if it is approved.
Councilmember Annalisa Perea opposed the new tax.
The new half-cent general sales tax will be effective on July 1, 2027–the day after Measure C expires.
According to Mayor Jerry Dyer, the new tax is estimated to generate approximately $65 million a year.
Dyer said the funding will support street maintenance and road repairs, FAX transit services, and other transportation city operations.
The city has about 217 positions related to Measure C funding.
A simple majority vote is required for the General Funds Sales Tax to pass.
Council President Nelson Esparza said he would have preferred a transportation-only funding measure but supported the proposal because it ensures the city does not lose critical transportation funding.
He said a tax that was legally binding to spend on transportation matters would have required two-thirds voter approval.
“There was no way we were going to come up with a consensus in 10, 12 days before a deadline to submit to the city clerk,” Esparza said.
“We don’t want to lay off employees, we don’t want roads to worsen,” Dyer said during the council meeting.
He noted that the city will lose $54 million in revenue once Measure C expires.
“There was no way we were going to come up with a consensus in 10, 12 days before a deadline to submit to the city clerk
Veteran advocate Yonas Paulos said veterans and people with disabilities will be affected with the expiration of Measure C.
“This is my everyday life, especially in the last 20 years. You know, it hasn’t been easy, you know, bus ride, especially in this heat. You know, it’s very hot to have a bus, wait an hour. It’s hard enough to wait a half hour,” Paulos said.