Frank Lopez<\/a><\/p>\nThe Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to delay action on the Better Roads, Safe Streets transportation funding measure, approving a study of the proposed half-cent sales tax rather than deciding whether to place it on the November ballot.<\/p>\n
The board approved the study on a 3-2 vote. Board Chairman Garry Bredefeld, who has previously criticized the proposal, made the motion. Supervisors Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes joined him in support. Supervisors Luis Chavez and Brian Pacheco voted against it.<\/p>\n
The deadline to qualify the measure for the Nov. 3 election is Aug. 7, making it unlikely to reach voters before Measure C expires in 2027. If the measure misses this year\u2019s ballot, it would next be eligible in 2028.<\/p>\n
Campaign manager Andy Levine said the Better Roads, Safe Streets campaign was disappointed by the board\u2019s decision, noting more than 22,000 signatures were gathered to qualify the initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Board of Supervisors have had this measure since January. We strongly urge the Board to expedite this 30-day study and immediately schedule a special meeting ahead of the strict August ballot deadline,\u201d Levine said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The campaign also released an economic analysis prepared by Fresno-based economic advisory firm PenberaParis LLC projecting the measure would generate more than 68,190 jobs over 30 years along with $13.46 billion in total economic output, $7.71 billion in value added to the Fresno County economy, more than $5.06 billion in labor income and nearly $2.9 billion in household spending.<\/p>\n
Bredefeld defended the delay, saying the board has a responsibility to independently evaluate the long-term effects of the proposed tax before placing it before voters. He criticized the campaign, saying it was backed by \u201cwell, rich out-of-town elites\u201d and argued a professional analysis should have been completed before the measure reached the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause they delayed the process does not mean we should abdicate our very critical and important duty to ensure that we have professionals analyze this 30-year measure and provide the information to our board and our public as to how this measure will impact development,\u201d Bredefeld said.<\/p>\n
Chavez opposed delaying the measure, calling transportation funding one of the county\u2019s most contentious issues in recent years. He said failure to approve a replacement funding source could result in about 90 county employees losing their jobs.<\/p>\n
No matter what side of the political aisle one might be on, \u201ceveryone wants their damn roads fixed,\u201d Chavez said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about people. How do we make our roads safer for people? How do we make sure that we have public transportation that\u2019s reliable for the seniors that go to their doctor appointments,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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