Fresno County signed off Tuesday on the city of Fresno's June 4 vote on privatizing trash service despite reservations about holding another special election this year.

The Board of Supervisors declined to approve the city election last week, hoping to reschedule the contest for the same day as the race for former state Sen. Michael Rubio's seat.

Supervisors had wanted to consolidate the contests to save money for the county elections office, which the board finances and oversees, but elections law offered little flexibility for change. Supervisors also wanted the city to advance the cost of the election, something the city has partially agreed to do.

"I think the city of Fresno is trying to work with us," Supervisor Judy Case said. "I think we should work with them."

The board voted unanimously to approve the June 4 city election and accept the city's offer to pay a $250,000 deposit toward voting expenses. The city's election is expected to cost between $750,000 and $950,000, which city officials will be billed for later.

Residents will be voting on whether to hand over residential garbage collection to the private sector, a revenue-driven proposal pushed by Mayor Ashley Swearengin.

Elections law prohibited the city from rescheduling its June 4 election to the Senate primary on May 21, and city leaders didn't want to wait until a possible July 23 runoff. Gov. Jerry Brown also had little wiggle room in scheduling the special Senate contest.

In other action

-- Fresno County supervisors Tuesday put off a request by Sheriff Margaret Mims to seek up to $80 million for jail retrofitting.

Mims wants to apply for state grant money to add bed space at the county jail, but the Board of Supervisors wanted more information on costs of the upgrades before approving the application. The deadline for applications has not been announced.