Lee Brand takes the oath of office to become Fresno's Mayor

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- Lee Brand walked through the city hall towards the podium Tuesday morning, excited to take an oath of office as the city of Fresno's next mayor.

Brand said this top position is one he never imagined he would reach. He stressed his determination to work closely with other agencies and school districts to create a unified city.

"You're going to see an administration that is focused and is probably going to be the most inclusive administration in a long time."

Among some of the first issue's Brand will tackle, creating an effective rental housing inspection program by February 2nd. He also wants to form a new Public Safety Advisory Board to promote community policing within his first 100 days of office.

"Putting a lot more people on the streets, developing a better relationship with the public and developing trust and I think that's the bridge we have to cross."

Brand also wants to continue some of the initiatives he worked on with Mayor Ashley Swearengin. Including continuing to make Fresno more business friendly, create jobs and revitalize downtown. That includes marketing the city's fairly new economic expansion act that includes performance-based incentives for companies.

"It's a very progressive, very smart way to grow jobs, but we need to advertise that so we're working on a branding marketing to get this out across the country, and the business world, that Fresno is business friendly."

City Manager Bruce Rudd expects Brand's transition as the new mayor will go smoothly.

"This is a very positive time for the community and I think a lot of things that were started over the last four to eight years will actually start to bear fruit."

Brand will give his official inauguration speech on Thursday.

Several other new City Council members will also be sworn in this week.