Fresno leaders approve historic budget for 2027 fiscal year

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno City leaders have approved a historic budget of $2.56 billion for the city's 2027 fiscal year.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer spoke before the council before the unanimous vote, making his final pitch for Fresno's largest-ever budget.

He said the city managed to balance the spending plan while facing a $34.5 million shortfall without resorting to layoffs.

The mayor addressed nearly 100 motions made by council members for the proposed budget.

One of those allocates an additional $650,000 in unspent funds for Advanced Peace, a community-based program created to reduce gun violence.

That's on top of $300,000 already included and other funding sources, bringing the total allocation for Advanced Peace to more than $1 million over the next two fiscal years.

"This level of funding will allow for three additional change agents to be hired and actually rehired by them, by Advanced Peace, as well as non-personnel expenses, which averages about $200,000 per year," Dyer said.

"It is my hope that the County of Fresno and district attorney's office also see Advanced Peace as worth the investment in preventing shootings that they then later have to prosecute," says Fresno Councilmember Miguel Arias.

A major concern for the city is future funding for local non-profits facing cuts from the federal and state levels.

Going forward, the mayor and council are calling on the county to do more.

"We try to meet as many of the needs as we possibly can, but the simple fact is we can't do it all," Dyer said. "We want to do our part but can't do it all, so we're going to be continuing to call upon our county partners across the street to step up and help us fund many of these non-profits."

The city ensured funding for the eviction protection program.

Available funding was also increased to $825,000 for non-profit spay and neuter services.

One-third of motions were not approved.