![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Perea1.jpg\")
Councilmember Annalisa Perea<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat’s at stake?<\/p>\n
One final look at the 2025 legislative calendar for both of Fresno’s major chambers of government<\/p>\n
Just as it promises to be at the federal level, 2026 will be a critical year for politics in Fresno. This time next year, both local chambers of government \u2014 the city council and county board of supervisors \u2014 will have likely gone through a radical shift in their make-up, as many current office holders either term out or aim to pursue higher positions in California\u2019s electoral system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But before shifting focus completely toward 2026, Fresnoland wanted to take one last look at the 2025 legislative year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This document is not an all-encompassing view of Fresno politics in 2025. The Fresno City Council and Board Of Supervivors have a handful of responsibilities that include making decisions on issues like land use and public health. Those issues are typically brought forward by city and county staff, not elected officials.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, councilmembers and supervisors have the ability to bring forward legislation. They sometimes do this through their own office, in partnership with city and county staff, or through a collaboration with their peers on the dais \u2014 which is why you may see repeat legislation on the document.<\/p>\n
Some of these items you\u2019ll recognize since Fresnoland covered them when they came up at a meeting. But others may have slipped through the cracks amid an ever-busy news cycle, so we wanted to give our local audience a look at the work done by their elected officials in 2025. For brevity, we\u2019ve focused on action items, or, matters that the dais would need to vote on. That means, for brevity, we\u2019ve left out resolutions recognizing holidays and celebrations, commission appointments and similar procedural items from this document.<\/p>\n
Never miss the top stories in Fresno \u2014 sign up for our free, daily newsletter.<\/p>\n
FRESNO CITY COUNCIL<\/p>\n
COUNCILMEMBER ANNALISA PEREA (DISTRICT 1 \u2013 WEST FRESNO)<\/p>\n
Councilmember Annalisa Perea<\/p>\n
Councilmember Annalisa Perea passed 13 sponsored items through the council agenda this year, the most among her peers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No matter what\u2019s happening in Sacramento or Washington, we will continue to do what we\u2019ve always done: hold our local officials accountable and report the stories that shape daily life in Fresno. <\/p>\n
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Perea\u2019s term will expire at the end of 2026. They will forgo a second term as a councilmember in favor of a bid<\/a> for the California State Assembly\u2019s 31st District seat. The district, which represents much of Fresno County, is currently held by Dr. Joaquin Armabula<\/a> \u2014 who also terms out of his seat at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Annalisa Perea:<\/p>\n A city ordinance<\/a> to allow Fresno to penalize jurisdictions for transporting members of their local homeless population to Fresno (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution to use $500k of a charitable PG&E contribution toward a small business grant program and the acquisition of a chest compression device for the Fresno Fire Department. (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> introducing fines for sidewalk vendors in the Tower District who operate their businesses without proper permits (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Introducing a resolution approved by all councilmembers urging the state to\u00a0 deny parole for a convicted serial rapist (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> allowing the city to pursue legal action against scrap metal thieves (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Adopting a bill setting standards new standards for the sale of tobacco and vapor products, as well as smoke shop business practices (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution allowing qualified food businesses to continue taking advantage of pandemic-era privileges (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution supporting H.R. 2656 \u2014 federal legislation aimed at removing arsenic from drinking water (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution creating a pilot program to establish new maintenance guidelines for vacant buildings in the Tower District (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution requiring city staff to notify councilmembers when an office-to-dwelling conversion has been approved in their district. The resolution was a part of a larger policy the city passed to streamline the process. (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution establishing a grant agreement with the City of Fresno and the BLACK Wellness and Prosperity Center for $250,000 (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An amendment to stiffen penalties in the Tower District sidewalk vendor ordinance (LINK)<\/p>\n A resolution launching a business tax incentive pilot program aimed at filling up vacant Tower District buildings (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER MIKE KARBASSI (DISTRICT 2 \u2013 NORTHWEST FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Mike Karbassi, who served as council president this year, passed six sponsored items through the council agenda this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Karbassi\u2019s current term expires at the end of 2028, though he recently announced\u00a0 a campaign to pursue the District 1 Fresno County Supervisor seat<\/a>. The seat, which represents west Fresno County, is currently held by Brian Pacheco, who terms out at the end of 2026. If Karbassi wins the election, a special election will be held to find his City Council successor.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Mike Karbassi:\u00a0<\/p>\n A city ordinance<\/a> to allow Fresno to penalize jurisdictions for transporting members of their local homeless population to Fresno (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution to use $500k of a charitable PG&E contribution toward a small business grant program and the acquisition of a chest compression device for the Fresno Fire Department. (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> allowing the city to pursue legal action against scrap metal thieves (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution opposing California Assembly Bill 942<\/a> (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n An amendment to the Fresno City Clerk\u2019s contract (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n An agreement between the City of Fresno and Valley Caregivers Resource Center for $50,000 to support the Oasis Adult Day program (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER MIGUEL ARIAS (DISTRICT 3 \u2013 SOUTHWEST FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Miguel Arias passed 11 sponsored items through the council agenda this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Arias will term out of his seat at the end of next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Miguel Arias<\/p>\n A resolution to dissolve the city\u2019s Immigrant And Resident Affairs Committee in favor of a collaborative effort between the city and county (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution naming the \u201cRashad Al-Hakim Jr. Trail\u201d (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> introducing fines for sidewalk vendors in the Tower District who operate their businesses without proper permits (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution moving $195,000 from the city\u2019s public works department to the city council (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Adopting a bill setting standards new standards for the sale of tobacco and vapor products, as well as smoke shop business practices (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Amending city code to place penalties on property owner for certain drug offenses (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution creating a pilot program to establish new maintenance guidelines for vacant buildings in the Tower District (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution to discontinue enforcement of the No parking Ordinance in the Lowell Neighborhood (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A bill to amend the city\u2019s funding language (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An amendment to stiffen penalties in the Tower District sidewalk vendor ordinance (LINK)<\/p>\n A resolution approving changes to Fresno\u2019s Downtown Loop Corridor (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER TYLER MAXWELL (DISTRICT 4 \u2013 CENTRAL FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Tyler Maxwell passed seven sponsored items through the council agenda this year. Maxwell represents the Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Fresno State region.\u00a0<\/p>\n Maxwell will term out of his seat at the end of 2028.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Tyler Maxell<\/p>\n A resolution to use $250,000<\/a> to save the city\u2019s the Eviction Protection Program (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution replacing the City Hall video screens (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> allowing the city to pursue legal action against scrap metal thieves (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Changes to the city\u2019s cannabis business license tax (LINK)<\/a><\/p>\n A resolution<\/a> directing the Dyer Administration to remove income requirements for the Eviction protection program (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A new law<\/a> regulating Kratom-based substances (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Passing a two-year, $1 million grant agreement for improvements to Playland (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER BRANDON VANG (DISTRICT 5 \u2013 SOUTHEAST FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Brandon Vang passed one sponsored item through the council during the first few months of his term as councilmember after winning the seat in a March 2025 special election<\/a> that was mired in dark money political controversy<\/a>. Vang was sworn into his seat in April<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The southeast Fresno councilmember\u2019s current term will expire at the end of 2026. The district 5 Fresno City Council seat will be competitive once again as Vang and a slew of other candidates have already announced bids for the seat in next year\u2019s election.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Brandon Vang:\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution<\/a> naming the new 49-acre state-of-the-art park in his district the \u201cSoutheast Fresno Sports Complex (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER NICK RICHARDSON (DISTRICT 6 \u2013 NORTH FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Nick Richardson passed three sponsored items through the council agenda this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Richardson\u2019s first term expires at the end of 2028.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Nick Richardson<\/p>\n A city ordinance<\/a> to allow Fresno to penalize jurisdictions for transporting members of their local homeless population to Fresno (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance expanding city business license exemptions for military veterans (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution making it easier for nonprofit organizations to fundraise outdoors (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n COUNCILMEMBER NELSON ESPARZA (DISTRICT 7 \u2013 CENTRAL FRESNO)<\/p>\n Councilmember Nelson Esparza passed 10 sponsored items through the council agenda this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Esparza will term out of his seat at the end of 2026. He has announced that he will run for the State Center Community College District 5 seat next year \u2014 a position currently held by Robert Fuentes.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Nelson Esparza<\/p>\n A resolution to use $500,000 of a charitable PG&E contribution toward a small business grant program and the acquisition of a chest compression device for the Fresno Fire Department. (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Adopting new standards for the sale of tobacco and vapor products, as well as smoke shop business practices (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n An ordinance expanding city business license exemptions for military veterans. \u00a0(LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution ordering a fee analysis for a proposed tobacco retail license program (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An agreement for the City of Fresno to continue working with the Fresno Economic Development Corporation for one year, with opportunities for extension (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Award a consultancy contract to assess the Belmont Corridor (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Award a consultancy contract to assess the Blackstone Corridor (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Passing a resolution to have the city support bringing back horse racing to the Big Fresno Fair (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Passing a resolution<\/a> to gift $250,000 in city funds, including some from his own district budget, to supplement the Central California Food Bank amid SNAP uncertainty during the federal government shutdown (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A new law<\/a> regulating Kratom-based substances (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS<\/p>\n SUPERVISOR BRIAN PACHECO (DISTRICT 1 \u2013 WEST FRESNO COUNTY)<\/p>\n Supervisor Brian Pacheco passed six sponsored items through the board agenda this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pacheco has been serving as a supervisor since 2015, and his current term expires at the end of 2026. He announced a campaign<\/a> in 2026 for the District 27 California Assembly seat \u2014 currently held by Esmeralda Soria.\u00a0<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Brian Pacheco<\/p>\n An ordinance to add penalties for residents in possession of detached catalytic converters (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> beefing up regulations for the sales of dogs and cats in the county (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community expenditure of $20,000 to the Fresno Sheriff\u2019s Memorial Foundation (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community expenditure of $4,270 to support the Strong Positive Influences Reflect Independent Thinking (SPIRIT) music event at Kearney Park (LINK)<\/a><\/p>\n A community expenditure of $5,000 to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Conducted the first hearing for an ordinance that, if passed, will prohibit an \u201cover concentration\u201d of sex offenders in a single-family home (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n SUPERVISOR GARRY BREDEFELD (DISTRICT 2 \u2013 NORTH CITY OF FRESNO)<\/p>\n Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, while serving as board vice president, passed 11 sponsored items through the agenda this year \u2014 the most among his peers. It is also his first year as a supervisor, with his first term expiring at the end of 2028\u00a0<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Garry Bredefeld<\/p>\n Provided direction<\/a> to staff to study a new headquarters for county employees \u2014 away from the Hall Of Records. (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expense of $1,500 for Support Blue Run 2025 (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Amending the county\u2019s community outreach guidelines \u2014 adding checks to supervisor donations exceeding $1,500 (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance against<\/a> residents illegally possessing and transporting copper wire (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $5,000 for the Fresno Sheriff\u2019s Memorial Foundation (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance to add penalties for residents in possession of detached catalytic converters (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> adding more regulations to the sales of dogs and cats in the county (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community expenditure of $2,500 to support the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust\u2019s River Camp Scholarship (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Adding a display<\/a> of the national motto \u201cIn God We Trust\u201d inside the board chambers (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Amending code<\/a> to allow veterans free entry and parking into Fresno County parks (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Conducted the first hearing for an ordinance that, if passed, would prohibit an \u201cover concentration\u201d of sex offenders in a single-family home (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n SUPERVISOR LUIS CHAVEZ (DISTRICT 3 \u2013 SOUTH CITY OF FRESNO)<\/p>\n Supervisor Luis Chavez passed four sponsored items through the board agenda this year. It was his first year as a supervisor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Chavez\u2019s term will expire at the end of 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Luis Chavez<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure for $1,500 to the Support Blue Run 2025 (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $1,000 for the Calwa Recreation And Park District (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution<\/a> declaring support for the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $2,000 for the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n SUPERVISOR BUDDY MENDES (DISTRICT 4 \u2013 SOUTHWEST FRESNO COUNTY)<\/p>\n Supervisor Buddy Mendes, while serving as board president, passed four sponsored items through the agenda this year. Mendes represents the southwest region of Fresno County.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mendes\u00a0 announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of 2026 when his term expires.<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Buddy Mendes<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $20,000 for the Friends of The Historic Kingsburg Depot Project (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $20,000 for the Sheriff\u2019s Memorial Foundation (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $2,500 for the California 9\/11 Memorial Fund (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Gifting $2,500 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n SUPERVISOR NATHAN MAGSIG (DISTRICT 5 \u2013 THE SIERRAS)<\/p>\n Supervisor Nathan Magsig passed 10 sponsored items through the board agenda this year. Magsig represents the East region of Fresno County \u2014 with much of it including the Sierras.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Magsig\u2019s current term will expire in 2028, though he may not see it through to the end. Magsig <\/a>will pursue the District 12 seat of the California State Senate in 2026 \u2014 currently held by Shannon Grove \u2014 who will term out next year. Should he win that race, a special election would be held to find his successor.\u00a0<\/p>\n Legislation sponsored by Nathan Magsig<\/p>\n Adopting an administrative policy to identify county facilities eligible to be named (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $230 for two seats at the Shaver Lake Club Crab Feed Fundraiser (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Directing county staff to negotiate a reimbursement with the Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department for a fire station (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance against<\/a> residents illegally possessing and transporting copper wire (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n A resolution<\/a> declaring support for the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community outreach expenditure of $5,000 to support the Fresno County Sheriff\u2019s Jeep Rescue Unit (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A resolution<\/a> declaring Fresno County as officially opposed to Proposition 50 (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n A community expenditure of $3,500 to support Beyond The Barracks (LINK<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n Amending code<\/a> to allow veterans free entry and parking into Fresno County parks (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n An ordinance<\/a> regulating the sale of Kratom-based products (LINK<\/a>)<\/p>\n Support our hyperlocal reporting with a donation today. <\/p>\n Every week we bring you deeply reported stories about the essential issues facing our region. Help us continue our work by becoming a monthly member. All donations are matched through 12\/31. <\/p>\n \n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What’s at stake? One final look at the 2025 legislative calendar for both of Fresno’s major chambers of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":116393,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[112,61979,61980,8019,61981,114,113],"class_list":["post-116392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fresno","tag-fresno","tag-fresno-baord-of-supervisors","tag-fresno-city-concil","tag-fresno-city-council","tag-fresno-government","tag-fresno-headlines","tag-fresno-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116392"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Karbassi.jpg\")
Council President Mike Karbassi<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ARIAS.jpg\")
Council Vice President Miguel Arias<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MAXWELL.jpg\")
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VANG.jpg\")
Councilmember Brandon Vang<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RICHARDSON.jpg\")
Councilmember Nick Richardson<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ESPARZA.jpg\")
Councilmember Nelson Esparza<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PACHECO.jpg\")
Supervisor Brian Pacheco<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BREDEFELD.jpg\")
Board Vice President Garry Bredefeld<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CHAVEZ.jpg\")
Supervisor Luis Chavez<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MENDES.jpg\")
Board President Buddy Mendes<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MAGSIG.jpg\")
Supervisor Nathan Magsig<\/p>\n