What is Measure Z and how does it help Fresno Chaffee Zoo? What voters should know
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday placed Measure Z on the upcoming June ballot to help fund Fresno Chaffee Zoo?
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What is Measure Z and how does it work?
In 2004, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors established a special tax at the rate of 0.1% for the support of zoos, zoological facilities, and related zoological purposes in Fresno County. At the time, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo was struggling to keep its accreditation.
Then, in 2014, the Board adopted a resolution to include an ordinance on the ballot that year, which included a 10-year extension on Measure Z. The extension was approved by 72.3% of Fresno County voters.
According to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo website, Measure Z will allow the zoo to continue to provide animal care, upgrade and establish new exhibits, as well as provide educational and conservation opportunities to Fresno Chaffee Zoo visitors.
To date, the tax has provided nearly $137 million in funding for the Zoo. An estimated one-third of this funding, or about $54 million, has been used to support Zoo operations and maintenance, while two-thirds, or about $83 million, was used for capital improvement projects.
Some of the renovations have gone to animal habitats like the Reptile House, Tropical Treasures, Birds of Prey and the King Cobra exhibit. Measure Z funds have also gone to improvements on the front entrance, the children’s water play area, new landscaping, the giraffe pathway, and the Wilderness Falls.
Measure Z also helps keep zoo entrance fee low for visitors, according to The Chaffee Zoo.
“There’s tremendous work that has been done and a lot of work ahead of us to continue to build this world-class facility,” said Dolan.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 11:39 AM.
