Packed house Fresno County State of the County breakfast

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Board of Supervisors and community leaders gathered for the State of the County breakfast Wednesday morning. The event highlighted this year's accomplishments and opportunities for the future.

It was a packed house at Downtown Fresno's DoubleTree for the State of the County breakfast. Community leaders dined as Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes shared this year's accomplishments and opportunities.

"I think we've changed the attitude in the county. There's a better attitude that the board and department heads are dedicated to the people of Fresno County and the people that work for Fresno County."

In addition to honoring Supervisors Debbie Poochigian and Henry Perrea, the chairman of the board addressed what lies ahead for Fresno County. Water became a major part of that conversation.

"Our water is dependent on ag and ag is still the bottom layer of the pyramid of the economy in Fresno County," said Mendes.

Back in 2014 Governor Jerry Brown signed the sustainable groundwater management act, something growers consider to be historic legislation. Fresno County has five water sub-basins-- Kings, Madera, Delta-Mendota, Westside, and Pleasant Valley.

"If ag is not healthy, the economy is not going to be healthy," said Mendes.

Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen also attended the breakfast.

"We all know the economic ramifications and the trickle down effect for every dollar generated on the farm, it's 3.5 dollars to the local economy."

Jacobsen feels these are the best opportunities for the community and officials to get together to address work and challenges that are ahead.

"This is going to affect everyone-- cities, urban environments, businesses, and most importantly agriculture."

Over the next year, local sustainability agencies will develop a plan to manage the county's groundwater. Fresno county's deadline to adopt is 2020.