Fresno supervisors undermine democratic process on Measure C replacement | Opinion

The debate over Fresno County’s Measure C replacement has become about much more than transportation funding. It has become a test of whether we truly believe in collaboration, transparency and the right of citizens to decide the future of their communities.

I know because I was there.

I had the privilege of serving on the Better Roads, Safe Streets Steering Committee from April 2025 to December 2025, a group formed to develop a new vision for transportation after years of concerns that the current Measure C formula did not adequately serve every community in Fresno County. Every incorporated city in Fresno County had representation on the committee, which was composed of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, business leaders, transportation professionals, labor representatives, environmental advocates and community organizations.

Our meetings were not always easy. We debated, challenged one another and made compromises. That is exactly how good public policy should be developed.

The proposed transportation tax we landed on is a replacement for Measure C, which has funded transportation and infrastructure projects and is set to expire in 2027.

When our work was complete, the final proposal was approved by a vote of 28-2. That overwhelming vote did not represent partisan politics. It represented consensus.

Supervisors’ unexplained concerns

That is why I was deeply disappointed to hear Supervisor Garry Bredefeld dismiss supporters of the proposal as “leftist wackos.” Such rhetoric ignores the reality of what occurred. The people who voted in favor of the proposal were not members of a political movement. They were mayors, council members, business leaders, transportation experts and community representatives from every corner of Fresno County who spent months trying to create a transportation plan that better served the entire county.

The over 22,000 Fresno County residents who signed petitions to support this initiative should be proud, knowing their voices are valued in shaping transportation decisions.

Instead, Supervisors Bredefeld, Buddy Mendes and Nathan Magsig voted to order another study — a decision that many believe could prevent the measure from reaching the November ballot.

Those supervisors owe the people of Fresno County an explanation.

If supervisors believe the proposal has legal or financial issues, openly explaining these concerns will help build confidence and trust with the community.

Transparency is one of the most important responsibilities of public service.

Public trust already lacking

Public trust also depends on how elected officials communicate with the communities they represent. Bredefeld has previously apologized for comments that many Black community leaders considered racially insensitive, and he has more recently faced criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations over remarks regarding immigrant communities. Bredefeld has also drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ individuals and allies for comments and actions seen as hostile and intolerant.

Mendes and Magsig, meanwhile, have also been criticized by immigrant advocates for comments made during public discussions on immigration policy. Whether one agrees with those criticisms or not, they remind us that public officials must be especially careful to build trust with every community they serve.

Unequal public investments

That responsibility becomes even greater when decisions involve communities that have historically received fewer public investments.

Many of Fresno County’s most underserved communities are communities where people of color live. Southwest Fresno is home to large Black and Latino populations. Many of our rural communities — including Mendota, Firebaugh, Huron, San Joaquin, Tranquillity, Parlier, Orange Cove, Lanare, Cantua Creek and Three Rocks — are predominantly Latino.

For decades, many of these communities have struggled with deteriorating roads, missing sidewalks, inadequate transit service and transportation infrastructure that has not kept pace with their needs.

This is about recognizing that public investments have not always been distributed equitably and asking whether future transportation dollars should better reflect the needs of communities that have historically been left behind.

Interests of the county

Bredefeld and Magsig represent districts that include some of Fresno County’s more affluent neighborhoods. They have every right to advocate for their constituents, but when voting on a transportation measure that will shape billions of dollars in investment over the next several decades, every supervisor has a responsibility to represent the interests of the entire county.

The Better Roads, Safe Streets proposal may not be perfect — no major public policy ever is. But perfection should never become an excuse to deny voters the opportunity to make the final decision.

If county leaders believe the proposal has weaknesses, they should explain those weaknesses, participate in an honest public debate, and then allow the people to decide. That is how representative government is supposed to work.

The question before Fresno County is whether residents are being allowed to participate in decisions that affect their future. More than 22,000 residents signed petitions asserting their right to vote, underscoring the power of civic engagement and the need for officials to respect that support by facilitating the voting process.

We deserve to decide this November.

Espi Sandoval is an educator and community advocate in Kerman.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Fresno supervisors undermine democratic process on Measure C replacement | Opinion."