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Mendota council reviews 2024–25 budget, flags infrastructure and public-safety needs
Summary
The Mendota City Council reviewed the proposed fiscal 2024–25 budget June 19; Finance Director Valdez presented the plan and the council raised concerns about street lighting, dispatch services, wastewater aerators, police equipment and several service contracts, with follow-ups requested.
Mayor Victor Martinez on June 19 introduced the City of Mendota’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024–25 budget and Finance Director Valdez presented the staff report, prompting a broad council discussion of infrastructure, public safety and service contracts.
The discussion focused on funding and operational priorities that would affect city services and capital needs. Council members pressed for possible purchase and installation of additional street lights to improve safety; asked staff to clarify the fund that receives cannabis-related public-benefit fees; and agreed to schedule a future agenda item to review the city’s ongoing contract with Townsend Public Affairs and its terms.
Council members also criticized the quality of Fresno County Sheriff dispatch service and asked staff to investigate alternatives for dispatching police calls. Council raised several police-department matters, including the condition and status of Mendota Police Department vehicles, the state of officers’ firearms, and the status of a pending firearm raffle run by the Mendota Police Officers’ Association; no official enforcement action or contract change was made at the meeting.
Public-works and utilities needs drew sustained attention. Council discussed worn uniforms for Public Works and Public Utilities staff, the condition of aerators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and whether berms or levees were required there, the condition of water tanks at the Water Treatment Plant, and the frequency of water and wastewater testing. Council asked that the Public Utilities Department inspect the Lozano Lift Station.
Other items raised during the budget discussion included accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a Planning Commission recommendation to consider eliminating Mendota Municipal Code subsection 17.24.080(G), the city’s state and federal advocacy trips, and enforcement priorities such as illegal dumping and compliance with SB 1383 provisions. Council did not adopt the budget at the special meeting; several items were set for follow-up or a future agenda.
What happens next: Council asked staff to prepare more detailed information on several topics — dispatch options, contract terms with Townsend Public Affairs, and utility infrastructure conditions — for consideration at a later meeting before taking formal budget action.
