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Board approves collaboration with Central Valley Community Foundation for regional jobs coalition amid skepticism
Summary
Supervisors voted to approve a retroactive revenue agreement with Central Valley Community Foundation to participate in the Sierra-San Joaquin regional coalition for California Jobs First; the item drew concerns about local control, staff time and the coalition’s agenda, and passed on a divided vote.
Fresno County supervisors approved a retroactive revenue agreement with the Central Valley Community Foundation on Sept. 9 to participate in the Sierra-San Joaquin Jobs coalition under the California Jobs First initiative, effective Feb. 1, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026.
The agreement was first presented to the board at a prior meeting and returned for consensus discussion. Supporters said participating gives Fresno County a seat at regional policy tables where the state is mapping infrastructure and power-grid routes and that the county can use the platform to advocate for local priorities including manufacturing, water and workforce development. Several supervisors said the county chief administrative officer will assign staff time from the CAO’s office and Public Works rather than diverting department resources.
Opponents expressed concern the coalition advances a climate and land-use agenda (including 100% clean-energy goals) that could conflict with local planning, permitting and general-plan authority. One supervisor said he had “no faith in the process” and did not trust the nonprofit-state partnership; another said that participation could create a document that, even if later rejected, would be used politically against the county.
After discussion and public comment, the board took a roll-call vote. The motion passed; several supervisors recorded objections during deliberations but the final tally supported joining the coalition.
Ending: The county will participate in the coalition. Staff from the CAO’s office will be assigned to represent Fresno County and will report back on outcomes and any recommended county positions.
