fresno elections 2008

Revenues are declining; sales taxes are down. The slumping real estate market could force a revaluation of homes in Fresno decreasing property taxes and lowering city revenues even more. With Fresno already in massive debt* the city must reprioritize to brace for the possibility of a further decrease in revenue.

One way to slow down the debt is delay the sale of an additional $750,000,000 in bonds the council has already approved. Another is to have the Redevelopment Agency pay back its large debt to the city. Raising taxes will not eliminate debt and nether will selling more and more bonds. Bonds are the credit card of government and this city has run up a huge tab.

*“The city has a deficit of more than $66,000,000 (unrestricted net assets) shortfall with respect to meeting the government’s ongoing obligations to its citizens and creditors,” City of Fresno’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of 2007

For Downtown to become a thriving neighborhood beyond 8 to 5 Monday through Friday it needs residents. Local government has often been its own worst enemy in this area. Not only low-income housing but affordable housing is lacking downtown. It is younger people who want the big city living experience. They are the adventurous urban pioneers who will live in affordable housing but over qualify for low income. Any thriving neighborhood needs schools and shopping. Downtown is no different. A sustainable population is the base for other amenities and increased entertainment and nightlife.

The city has already carried some of the expense of Forest City’s project by paying for staff work and studies. At this point it’s up to Forest City to implement its project with private investment.

A good way to generate jobs is remove layers of government. Often a community interest group or entities such as redevelopment or the city itself stand in the way of those trying to create businesses and jobs. Many times the different agencies don’t line up on requirements and leave an entrepreneur standing alone attempting to puzzle together how to proceed. Business shouldn’t have to face a public gauntlet.

Once again, the city’s debt decreases the funds that could go to livability issues which in turn attract businesses. A city strapped with debt won’t be in a position to attract new businesses and create job growth. Rampant crime sends the wrong message to outsiders considering locating to Fresno – so does debt. A decrease in city debt, and government interference in the job market, will help economic development.

While there are many things Fresno can do to improve its image - first it needs to care more for its own and not worry so much about what those from the outside think of us. As we improve from within others will notice and they will come. There are of course large things the city can do, however small things like improving street lights and street signs are examples of what the city could do that will not cost a large amount of money.

Large-scale “Running Horse” projects should be privately financed. The city didn’t ask the right questions about the viability of that project. But City Hall got the answers it was eager to hear and ignored the tough questions.

As to rejuvenating aging and ailing neighborhoods – Some homes, unique in character, when fixed up become gems to a neighborhood. Too often these structures have been ignored and left to suffer demolition by neglect. The refurbishing of existing housing stock can do more for the community than new construction. Fresno’s history of tearing down incredible buildings instead of seeking re-adaptive uses is a practice I do not and will not condone.

Right out of high school I got my first taste of civic participation and preservation when I joined my father on the “Save the Courthouse Committee.” That experience taught me the value of standing up and fighting for preservation. Sadly, it also taught me what it means to lose a very valuable and historic resource.

As a Fresno County Supervisor with a completely urban district I was one of the first members of the Fresno 2020 Committee. Preventing urban sprawl was a priority of the 2025 General Plan then and remains so. In-fill development is a major component in reducing urban sprawl and is the right course to maintain. Preservation of farmland, air quality and livable communities are all dependent on sound planning. Urban sprawl is contrary to sound planning.

The preservation of parks and open space is important to any community and should grow with the population. The proper expenditure of Urban Growth Management fees (UGM) will go a long way to ensure a secure funding source for our expanding park needs. Southwest Fresno deserves a regional park and Redevelopment Agency repaying the millions of dollars of debt it owes the city could be a good start in covering the costs.

No one should support allowing gangs to thrive and run free. Putting a lid on gang activities is a proper approach. But that isn’t enough. Prevention must be the foundation of reducing crime. Early in my first term as a County Supervisor I called attention to the pending problem of gangs. At that time the police chief said there wasn’t a gang problem in Fresno. Now we know what happens when the problem is ignored. Enforcement is important but it is only half the solution.

I can’t support an independent police auditor. That position is just another way for the elected officials of the city to dodge responsibility. The mayor is responsible for the performance of the police chief through the city manager and together they are responsible for the police department. As a publicly elected official the mayor can not and should not remove himself from the responsibility of public oversight.

There are advantages and disadvantages in shifting the city’s public utilities into a separate municipal utility district. It isn’t known if this will actually save any money. It does put another government agency in place to do work the city is already doing. However, it will give those who don’t live in the city but are served by Fresno utilities a voice they now lack.