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<\/a><\/p>\nThe vote came after a passionate discussion about funding levels for public transportation. The policy board is composed of the mayors of the county\u2019s 15 cities and a representative from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.<\/p>\n
Supervisor Buddy Mendes called the spending plan \u201cdead on arrival\u201d on his board \u2014 another step needed for eventual passage. He also called the plan \u201cunworkable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coalinga Mayor Nathan Vosburg called the public transit spending a \u201cgross mismanagement of money.\u201d He said what works for one city would not work for another.<\/p>\n
Mendes proposed that the county and the cities of Fresno and Clovis develop a spending plan. Mayors from rural cities objected.<\/p>\n
Some mayors advocated more spending on regional connectivity.<\/p>\n
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said the alternate plan would \u201cdevastate\u201d Fresno\u2019s bus system, possibly leading to the cancellation of evening and weekend service. Students and seniors rely on buses, Dyer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis keeps us whole. This allows us to increase services,\u201d Dyer said. He added that it is \u201cheartless\u201d to do otherwise.<\/p>\n
Dyer and Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua both voted in favor.<\/p>\n
Plan Has Its Critics<\/p>\n
Leading up to the vote, a group of transportation experts \u2014 including former leaders of Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority \u2014 sent a letter criticizing the plan.<\/p>\n
Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez said the consultants behind the letter \u201cleft our cities behind.\u201d He said the 2006 Measure C plan promised Highway 180 would go through Mendota to Interstate 5. That did not happen.<\/p>\n
The COG policy board still needs to approve an implementation plan.<\/p>\n
Several more steps remain before voters would decide Measure C in November 2026. It must pass the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, the Fresno County Transportation Authority, and a majority of the county\u2019s 15 cities by population. Then it would go back to the supervisors to place it on the ballot.<\/p>\n
Gray Advocating for Veterans Bill<\/p>\n
Although it has not passed the full House of Representatives, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs said it will implement a component of a bill supported by Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced.<\/p>\n
Veterans will be relieved of $272 million in medical copay debt accrued because of technical errors in the VA\u2019s payment processing system, Gray said in a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter their service, our veterans deserve high-quality, affordable care \u2014 not more red tape and ridiculous bills. My STRIVE Act and these efforts at the VA both move us closer to that reality,\u201d Gray said.<\/p>\n
Gray called for Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, to bring the bill to the floor. The STRIVE Act passed the Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee in July<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fresno Hires New Public Utilities Director The city of Fresno promoted Paul Amico to public utilities director. He replaces Brock Buche, who retired in July.<\/p>\n \u201c\u201cPaul brings deep technical skill, decades of experience, and a genuine commitment to serving Fresno. His leadership will help ensure our water, wastewater, and solid waste systems remain strong, resilient, and prepared for the future,\u201d Dyer said in a news release.<\/p>\n Amico has served as an assistant director in the department since 2023. He has more than 30 years of experience as a civil engineer working in water.<\/p>\n \u201cMoving to Fresno to work on Recharge Fresno was the best career \u2014 and personal \u2014 decision I\u2019ve ever made,\u201d Amico said.<\/p>\n Dyer Issues Proclamation for Late Fresno First Lady<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Paul Amico<\/p>\n