Will Fresno taxpayers agree to fund upgrades to Bulldog Stadium? Big plans in the works
Fresno State and city of Fresno leaders have discussed a potential sales tax increase to fund upgrades to Bulldog Stadium, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias confirmed.
During Thursday’s Fresno City Council meeting, Arias expressed concern about the effects of inflation on residents and all the taxes Fresno residents potentially will continue to pay, including taxes to support the Fresno Chaffee Zoo through Measure Z, transportation projects through Measure C and a potential public safety tax.
“I’m also hearing that Fresno State wants to pass a sales tax to renovate Bulldog Stadium on the backs of Fresno city taxpayers,” Arias said.
“We have seen some folks who are trying to pass taxes like they’re drunken sailors,” Arias said, “and the vast majority of our residents — the average income in Fresno is still $55,000. So I’m personally disgusted by folks who make six-figure salaries and six-figure pensions proposing more taxes because clearly they can afford it. But the rest of the city can’t.”
Arias told The Bee he heard about the Bulldog Stadium tax discussions from Fresno State leadership. The discussions so far included an idea for a 15-year, $150 million city tax that will fund major upgrades to the stadium. Contractors and developers may donate up to $400,000 for signature gathering to qualify an initiative for a November ballot measure, with a goal of raising up to $1.2 million, he said.
In order to put a citywide tax on the ballot this November, Fresno State officials will need either city council approval of the tax or collect signatures from registered voters by this summer.
Fresno State officials said in a statement to The Bee that a group of community leaders approached the university about exploring a ballot measure to fund “capital-related enhancements” that aren’t funded through the California State University system.
However, the university is prohibited from having a legal or financial relationship with a political action committee (PAC) or the organizing community group.
“This effort is at the very early stages of exploration,” the statement said. “The group is considering the best way to provide support for both academic and women’s and men’s athletic facility upgrades and modernizations in order to better serve the Valley. Fresno State is appreciative of this community support and we look forward to continuing our mission and vision to boldly educate and empower students for success.”
Tim Orman, former chief of staff for Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and a longtime political consultant, is helping with the effort, Arias said. Orman did not return a message from The Bee seeking comment.
Another city source who has been briefed on the issue but is not authorized to publicly speak on it told The Bee the money will go toward new box seats and upgrades to comply with the American Disabilities Act.
The city source also said those involved are exploring a way to include Fresno State’s engineering department to create a pipeline of city engineers.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval previously has made comments about his intent to prioritize upgrades to Bulldog Stadium, which is the primary revenue driver for the athletics department.
City and county leaders already are in talks about what taxes to include on the November ballot, including potential renewals for Measures C and Z, for transportation and the zoo, respectively.
This story was originally published February 10, 2022 at 12:03 PM.