FRESNO (KMJ) — The City of Fresno’s water fountain is once again in operation, after lying dormant for seven years.
It was last seen working in 2009, but budget cuts and expensive repairs forced it to be switched off. However the money to bring it back was found, and the fix was made to bring it back to working order.
“So in the summer of 2009, it broke”, explains Mayor Ashley Swearengin. “Many of you remember the summer of 2009, at that point we were already through two rounds of budget cuts. We had no money to fix this fountain. It was about a $250,000 repair, as my understanding. We didn’t have $250,000.
“Thankfully now we do”.
Mayor Swearengin was joined by City Council members to press the button to activate the water-feature Thursday afternoon.
“In turning on this fountain, none of us are walking away saying ‘we no longer have to worry about the city’s finances or the city’s water supply’. What we are all saying is ‘our good practices that are now in place will guide us in the future’”.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
