Fresno voters would be wise to support a charter measure on the Nov. 6 ballot that would lock in financial responsibility requirements at City Hall. Measure F would offer important safeguards to maintain the city's fiscal solvency.

The reforms are the work of Council Members Lee Brand and Andreas Borgeas. The City Council voted this summer to put the three-part measure on the ballot to allow voters to decide whether the policies should be put into the city charter.

Measure F establishes specific budget reserves, creates a management policy to limit the city's bonded indebtedness and requires that a comprehensive review be undertaken when $1 million in city funds are being requested.

"These charter reforms will provide future city leaders with clear guidelines for the issuance and management of debt, will establish reserves for unforeseen contingencies and emergencies, and will mandate due diligence policies to evaluate proposals for assistance to prevent against poorly planned investments such as the Met Museum and Granite Park," Brand and Borgeas wrote in support of Measure F.

We believe that the changes being sought are reasonable, especially given City Hall's record over the past several years of committing taxpayer funds to projects that were not financially feasible.

Brand and Borgeas said the changes are important enough that they should be put into the charter, and not left to the council to change.

If Measure F passes, future council members could not change the policies unless they put them on the ballot and persuaded voters to amend the charter.

Fresno voters should vote "yes" on Measure F on Nov. 6.