Dyer changes mind, approves city tax for Nov. ballot, as county measure hangs in limbo

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer made an about-face Friday, signing a measure at the deadline to place a city-only transportation sales tax on the Nov. 3 ballot, increasing the likelihood that a tale of two Fresno taxes could end up before a judge in court.

Dyer’s move means there could be two half-cent sales taxes for city of Fresno voters to consider, but just one for Fresno County voters living outside the city, as a potential $160 million in countywide sales tax revenue for roads hangs in the balance.

Fresno County supervisors blocked a transportation tax measure called Better Roads, Better Streets from reaching the ballot as a replacement for Measure C, an existing transportation sales tax set to expire next year. Dyer and the Fresno City Council approved a replacement sales tax measure just for the city, as a precaution to make up for Fresno’s share of the lost revenue.

Dyer told The Bee earlier this week that he would not sign the city measure, if the countywide ballot measure made it to the ballot, not wanting to confuse voters with two tax measures. If the countywide tax makes it to the ballot, and voters approve it, the city tax, if also approved, would be nullified, according to the fine print of the city’s tax measure.

That deadline for Dyer’s signature was 5 pm., Friday.

With supervisors blocking the countywide ballot measure, two Central Valley lawmakers submitted emergency legislation, AB 1923, to override the supervisors’ decision to delay placing Better Roads, Better Streets on the ballot, if ever. The bill was approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week.

There is conflicting interpretation if the Fresno County Board of Supervisors still has to vote to place it on the November ballot. Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voter James Kus told The Bee Friday that he believes passage of state bill AB 1923 means it will on the ballot, “unless a court tells me otherwise.”

Fresno County supervisors chairman, Garry Bredefeld, said the county would research suing over the legislative override of county authority. He called it unconstitutional.

In a prepared statement, Dyer said he ultimately supports the Better Roads, Safe Streets, which would raise $160 million in annual revenue for roads that is shared with all Fresno County cities.

“This has truly been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve faced as mayor,” he said Friday in a prepared news release. “I know that submitting the city’s measure today may disappoint my fellow mayors throughout the county, and that weighs heavily on me.”

“Please try to understand, my responsibility, first and foremost, is to the residents of the city of Fresno, and given the new information we learned today, this was the only responsible path to ensure a transportation funding option remains available to Fresno voters in November,” Dyer said.

The BRSS plan, also a half-cent sales tax plan dedicated to transportation projects, has had a topsy-turvy road on qualifying for the ballot.

The city tax is also a half-cent, but would go to the general fund, meaning it can be spent in any manner.

Kus said his absolute deadline to print ballots is Sept. 8, to meet a deadline to send ballots to military members and voters overseas by Sept. 19.

Dyer said he would not sign tax measure

On Thursday, Dyer announced he would not sign the general sales tax measure — approved by the Fresno City Council on July 30 — after Newsom signed the bill placing the BRSS plan on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The BRSS plan qualified for the ballot through the signature process.

Last month, the supervisors called for a financial impact study that upon initial interpretation, would delay a decision until after the Aug. 7 deadline to place an item on the Nov. 3 ballot. That would mean — until AB 1923 — voters would see the BRSS plan in March 2028.

Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, and state Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, wrote emergency legislation to change election law taking away the supervisors’ role in placing an item on the ballot.

In a convoluted city news release at 4:30 p.m. Friday, the city learned the BRSS plan had not been submitted yet to the county clerk. It is unclear if it needs to be, in light of AB 1923.

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to receive the impact study at its meeting on Tuesday. State election law requires the board to vote to place the BRSS plan on the ballot within 10 days of receiving the study. Having missed Friday’s deadline and under normal circumstances, the next chance for the ballot measure would be March 2028.

It is also unclear if there is conflict with the requirements of AB 1923, and the fact a supervisor vote will take place after the Aug. 7 deadline.

“While we anticipate it may eventually be worked out, as of today – the City of Fresno’s deadline – there is no certainty that it will be added to the November ballot,” the city said in its news release.

The city-only measure would expire in 10 years, or if a countywide transportation tax passes. It is estimated to raise $65 million a year.

“By submitting the City’s contingency measure today, the city can assure Fresno residents will have at least one transportation funding option before them in November,” the city said.

The city said it is also concerned the county may not take any action, leaving the BRSS plan in limbo.

Reaction to city tax on ballot

Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza sponsored the tax measure, along with Dyer and City Councilmember Mike Karbassi.

“I think many of us in the community are still going to be pushing hard for the countywide extension,” Esparza said.

Councilmember Mike Karbassi initially expressed shock upon learning Dyer signed the tax measure after all.

“I am deeply concerned about this news, as it puts our rural communities, transit systems and regional roadways at risk,” he said.

“This initiative (the BRSS plan) will be on the November ballot,” a Soria spokesperson said. “We’re absolutely confident in the law.”

Melissa Montalvo contributed to this story.

This story was originally published August 7, 2026 at 7:03 PM.