Fresno parks commission backs Measure P budget recommendations including dog‑park, arts and youth program funding

The Fresno Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission on Nov. 17 concluded its Measure P budget presentations and approved a series of budget recommendation motions to send to the mayor's office and City Council for the FY27 budget cycle.

Tu Zhong, business manager for the parks department, opened the presentation with an overview of the FY26 Measure P adopted budget, walking commissioners through revenue (including a line item Tu described as "other revenue," which is predominantly interest) and appropriation categories. He reviewed the FY27 timeline, saying the department will prepare midyear documents in December, submit recommendations to the mayor in January–February and expects the mayor to present a budget to City Council in May with adoption anticipated by June.

Commissioners moved and approved several recommendations tied to Measure P priorities. Commissioner Dolan moved — and the commission approved — a recommendation that funding be provided not to exceed $350,000 for improvements to Roding Park's small dog park, with design capped at $75,000 and construction and soft costs capped at $275,000.

Commissioner Collier proposed allocating funds to expand youth and senior programming tied to a community wrestling program. Collier initially moved $75,000 but, after discussion and broadened agreement among commissioners, the commission approved a $100,000 recommendation to support expansion of youth wrestling programs.

Vice Chair Ward successfully moved two arts‑related recommendations: funding not to exceed $25,000 to support establishing a standing cultural arts subcommittee and not to exceed $25,000 for arts and culture grant panelist stipends, training and community engagement support. Ward said the standing committee estimate previously provided to the commission was "approximately $1,500 or so per meeting and maybe around $20,000 for the year," and staff told commissioners the figure largely reflects staff time and operational costs.

Commissioner Duran moved, and the commission approved, a recommendation not to exceed $45,000 for parks to continue the Tech Easy program beyond its grant period, citing the program's value for youth and senior participants.

Commissioner Barraza renewed a prior recommendation for $100,000 to continue development of a Southeast Fresno Culture Arts District along Cesar Chavez Boulevard; the commission approved that recommendation. Barraza also moved for funding to install lighting at Al Radka Park to allow evening use of soccer fields. During discussion Barraza cited an $800,000 estimate; in a later exchange a participant referenced $8,800,000. Staff said they would verify the correct figure. The commission approved the motion but the dollar amount recorded in the verbal record is inconsistent and requires staff confirmation before any formal appropriation.

Barraza additionally moved a contingent recommendation to fund an initial design (she proposed $100,000) for a publicly accessible neighborhood park plaza on the ground floor of a mixed‑use housing project along the Ventura Corridor, subject to confirmation that the parcel and project are eligible for Measure P funding and to any contract terms with the developer. City staff and the city attorney advised the commission to verify parcel ownership and ordinance eligibility; Barraza's motion was made contingent on eligibility and seconded.

Commissioner Miller moved a recommendation, not to exceed $300,000, to study enhanced filtration or mechanical options to improve water quality at Lake Washington (the lake at Roding Park). Staff said there is a contractor treating the lake monthly and recent aeration improvements; the motion to investigate more robust mechanical filtration was approved.

All budget recommendation motions discussed at the meeting were approved by voice vote and will be forwarded as commission recommendations in the city budget process. Tu Zhong noted the department will help identify appropriate funding categories and funding sources for approved recommendations before packets go to the mayor's office and City Council for final consideration.

The commission heard one online public comment during a later item from Lisa Flores, who noted the SEIR notice of preparation for a project at Chaffey in Roding Park and urged complete construction sequencing on dog‑park projects. The meeting adjourned at about 6:39 p.m.; Chair McCoy closed with a moment in memory of former commissioner Dr. Francine Apuda.

What happens next: The commission's recommendations are advisory; the parks department will prepare budget materials and forward proposals to the mayor's office in January–February, after which the mayor will present a proposed FY27 budget to City Council in May and Council is expected to adopt a final budget in June.