City of Fresno Budget Highlights

Dear Residents, Today, the City Council unanimously approved the FY 2015-2016 Budget. This budget restores much needed city services, builds a healthy reserve, invests in our older neighborhoods and our youth.



Restoring Public Safety



Today, after many years of cut backs, we passed a budget that makes critical investments in our Police and Fire Departments; increases in staffing and allocations for safety equipment. 43 Police Officers will be added , increasing our officers from 717 to 760.

, increasing our officers from 717 to 760. 3 officers dedicated to neighborhoods with recycling centers to help deter illegal dumping and scavengers going through individual recycling bins. This will help address increased crime activity in our neighborhoods.

to help deter illegal dumping and scavengers going through individual recycling bins. This will help address increased crime activity in our neighborhoods. A Fire Company will be added to Station 9 (Clinton & Vagedes) , serving much of the central Fresno area. This will increase our minimum daily firefighter staffing from 70 to 73.

, serving much of the central Fresno area. This will increase our minimum daily firefighter staffing from 70 to 73. Restored our fire investigation unit to pre-recession levels; these 24 hour investigators will help the fire department investigate fires more effectively to meet its overall goal of protecting citizens. Parks and Recreation



Today, our City ranks 75 out of 75 in green space and it is important that we invest in our existing parks, as well as plan for the future. Studies have shown that when cities invest in parks, the community follows with further investments and it encourages further economic development. We budgeted $450,000 for an update of our Parks Master Plan ; this plan will ensure we are adequately planning for new parks, are competitive for state and federal grants and have the dollars necessary to operate and maintain new and existing parks.

; this plan will ensure we are adequately planning for new parks, are competitive for state and federal grants and have the dollars necessary to operate and maintain new and existing parks. Universal Accessible Park (Inspiration Park) , an allocation of $439,800 for the remaining construction is included in the budget. The park, located near Teague Elementary School, will open this fall for all District 1 residents to enjoy.

, an allocation of $439,800 for the remaining construction is included in the budget. The park, located near Teague Elementary School, will open this fall for all District 1 residents to enjoy. $15,000 allocated for Quigley Park, backstops will be replaced. Investing in our Youth



It is important that Fresno youth be encouraged to take interest in local government decision-making activities. In addition, they should be provided opportunities that will encourage civic participation and employment of young people. $100,000 was appropriated for start up and two-year operation of a Youth Commission . With assistance from a local non-profit the Youth Commission will advise the City Council on issues of concern to the youth of our City.

. With assistance from a local non-profit the Youth Commission will advise the City Council on issues of concern to the youth of our City. Junior Lifeguard Program will be funded for another year. This will give 14 young people of our city the opportunity to learn a skill and earn some money during the summer. Neighborhood Restoration



Our City is committed to investing in our older neighborhoods by taking care of the aging infrastructure and cleaning up blight. $3.5 million for infrastructure improvements , such as road repairs, sidewalks and streets through the City.

, such as road repairs, sidewalks and streets through the City. $500,000 to enhanced Code Enforcement to combat blight and enforce city code.

to combat blight and enforce city code. $1.5 million to preserve and rehab older homes for low income homeowners. Building our Reserve



This past recession demonstrated the need for our City to build a reserve and plan for the future. $16.5 million to building a rainy day fund by the end of FY 2015-2016. This put us on track to meet our target reserve level of 10% and it will help our credit rating. For additional information on the budget, feel free to contact our office.



Sincerely,





Esmeralda Soria

Fresno City Councilmember, District 1