Fresno COG and FCTA outline Measure C renewal plans and local impacts for Parlier

Fresno Council of Governments Executive Director Robert Phipps and Fresno County Transportation Authority Executive Director Terry Ogle presented an overview of Measure C and outreach plans to the Parlier City Council on Dec. 5, 2024. They told the council that Measure C — a half-cent county sales tax first adopted in 1986 — has been a major funding source for regional freeway projects and local street maintenance and that it helps secure state and federal grants for projects that are 'shovel ready.'

Phipps said the measure has evolved since its inception, moving from primarily highway and freeway capital projects to a broader set of categories including public transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects, ADA improvements, and technology programs. He told the council that "about 35% of Measure C revenues go directly back to your jurisdictions for maintenance, road maintenance and street repair." Ogle said the measure has been critical to making Fresno County more competitive for outside funding.

Ogle said Measure C is scheduled to expire in 2027 and that Fresno COG and the Fresno County Transportation Authority are preparing for a renewal effort targeted for the November 2026 ballot. He described a planned public outreach program with roughly 40 workshops, a large advisory committee with city representation, and a timeline for negotiating an expenditure plan that balances maintenance priorities with investments in alternative transportation and potential light-rail studies. Ogle offered conservative countywide revenue scenarios of roughly $2.8 billion to $5 billion depending on duration and escalation assumptions and noted that other estimates have ranged higher.

Council members and several residents asked about local flexibility and how Parlier would benefit. Ogle and Phipps emphasized that local allocations have historically been used as local matches to leverage state and federal funding; Ogle cited past local projects near Parlier, including allocations toward Academy Avenue and local slurry/seal projects. An audience member asked whether cities would have flexibility to spend their shares; presenters encouraged participation in committee meetings and public workshops so local priorities can be represented.

Mayor Alma Beltran and other council members welcomed continued briefings and asked staff to coordinate future presentations and outreach notices so residents can follow the process. Phipps and Ogle said they plan more visits to rural cities, public workshops, and a transparent negotiation process to form an expenditure plan ahead of the ballot measure.