FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno City Council approves Mayor Lee Brand’s 1.1 billion dollar budget for 2018, on Thursday.
City Council approved it on a 7-0 vote.
This is Mayor Lee Brand’s first budget as Fresno’s Mayor.
“My vision for Fresno is to transform our economy.” -Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.
The 1.1 billion dollar budget puts an emphasis on continuing the city’s long term financial stability.
“‘Which also includes $321 million for the City’s General Fund. It also it also focuses on four key initiatives: Economic Development, Public Safety, Quality of Life Improvements, and Prudent Fiscal Management. We’re planning to actively market surplus City properties and place all escrow proceeds into a new General Fund reserve account.” – Mayor Lee Brand.
The Valley is know for the AG industry but Mayor Brand says we need to expand.
“Focusing on a specific industry group including E-Commerce and manufacturing in key strategic locations including the Industrial area near the Highway 41 and Highway 99 triangle.” -Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.
Public safety is also an issue for the city.
“21 additional police officers brings us to 825.” – Chief Jerry Dyer.
Fresno Police will open two new substations one in the Southeast the other in the Northwest.
