Fresno County, Calif. – A full 65 percent of the next Measure C ½-cent ballot measure, totaling more than $4.8 billion, would be spent to help fix Fresno County’s neighborhood streets and roads under a proposal that a citizens’ steering committee charged with offering recommendations for the extension approved on Thursday.

The vote embraces public input and statistically valid surveys conducted to date that show a vast majority of Fresno County’s population sees local road conditions as far and away the No. 1 priority for transportation-related concerns. The recommendation represents nearly a 100 percent increase for local streets and roads over the existing Measure C, last approved in 2006. The current Measure is set to expire in early 2027.

“Getting to this point has taken a tremendous amount of time, work and patience,” said City of Parlier Mayor and Fresno COG Chairwoman Alma Beltran. “There are many, many people who never thought we’d make it this far. I’m so happy to thank everyone who has contributed to this effort, especially our Steering Committee members and our many community partners who have given so much of themselves.”

The 30+ member committee – comprising representatives from many of the region’s 15 cities and the County of Fresno, the Transportation For All (community-based) coalition, Central Valley Community Foundation, Fresno Chamber of Commerce, Bike Fresno and multiple other stakeholders – approved the “High-Priorities” option. The option was based on a previous position statement that committee members approved, and that incorporated input from the Fresno COG Policy Board, city staff and elected officials, public comments, surveys, and other stakeholders.

Under the recommendation, the 2026 Measure C ballot proposal would include five categories of expenditures:

  • Existing Neighborhood Streets and Roads: 65% – $4,809,098,575

  • Public Transportation: 25% – $1,849,653,297

  • Regional Connectivity: 5% – $369,930,660

  • Transportation Innovation: 4% – $295,944,528

  • Administration: 1% – $73,986,132

The Public Transportation category would be split based on a population formula among the region’s three transit operators – Fresno Area Express, Clovis Transit, and the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency. Public transportation has consistently been listed as the No. 2 transportation issue in the county. The 25 percent recommendation represents an overall 1 percent increase in transit spending across the region and is intended to allow for greater expansion and coordination of the countywide transit system, including an expansion of Bus Rapid Transit and on-demand types of service, particularly in denser urban areas.

The Regional Connectivity category includes funding for capital improvements such as major arterial roadways and highway/freeway interchanges.

Transportation Innovation anticipates funding for additional infrastructure to address electric vehicle charging stations, electric grid expansion and battery storage, autonomous vehicles, and zero or reduced transit fares for senior citizens, active military, veterans, and disabled populations.

Next up: The Fresno COG Policy Board will consider approving the recommendation at its Nov. 20 meeting.

“We heard you loud and clear, Fresno, and this recommendation reflects what you said matters most: roads No. 1 and transit No. 2,” said City of Mendota Mayor Victor Martínez and Fresno COG Vice-Chairman. “Measure C looks very different now than it did 40 years ago when it was first approved. Let’s keep the success rolling and Fresno County moving with this historic investment!”