Clovis gets new mayor, more money for safety. What election results mean for residents

Clovis’ first Hmong city council member is now its first Hmong mayor.

Vong Mouanoutoua was elected to the post by the council during a meeting last week. He will serve for the next two years — and will be the last mayor elected under Clovis’ at-large system, in which voters elect a five-member council to serve as its governing body.

The city is transitioning to district elections. That process is happening now.

Mouanoutoua, a Laotian refugee who moved to Clovis in 1996, was first elected to the Clovis city council in 2017. He filled a spot vacated by Nathan Magsig, who became a Fresno County supervisor. Public service, Mouanoutoua told The Bee at the time, is an integral part of the Hmong culture.

“Hmong children have been raised to seek public office. It’s one of those core principles that is impressed upon you,” he said.

“That was always there,” he added, “but I didn’t really jump into anything in Clovis until there was an opening on the planning commission.”

He served on the commission for a decade, starting in 2005. In 2012, he ran an unsuccessful race for state assembly District 23.

As mayor, Mouanoutoua replaces Lynne Ashbeck, who had served a total of three terms as mayor.

Both Ashbeck and Mouanoutoua were actually re-elected to Clovis’ city council in November’s election, the results of which were called, officially, at the start of Monday’s meeting. They will serve until 2028.

The city’s remaining council members — Matthew Basgall, Drew Bessinger and Diane Pearce — will be up for re-election in 2026.

Pearce was elected at mayor pro tem last week.

A new city manager for Clovis

The new city council, under Mouanoutoua, has been quick to work.

On Thursday, it announced Andrew Haussler would take over as city manager, replacing John Holt, as he retires at the end of the year.

Haussler is a veteran with the city.

He’s worked for Clovis for nearly two decades across various departments. He served as the Community and Economic Development Director, Community Development Grants Coordinator, Housing Program Manager and, most recently, as Assistant City Manager.

“It speaks volumes that our city has within its current ranks an individual who is not only incredibly qualified, but also extremely passionate about Clovis,” Mouanoutoua said in his first news release as mayor.

“Andy is no stranger to the complicated issues facing Clovis and is the right person, at the right time, for this important role.”

Under Clovis’ form of government, the city manager is tasked with implementing the council’s policy decisions and administering the city’s day-to-day operations. The job will become official at next week’s council meeting and begin Jan. 1.

Measure Y passes

Among others new from Monday’s council meeting: Measure Y, the public safety and city services tax, passed. According to election results from Fresno County, the measure received nearly 70% “yes” votes.

The measure put a 1% increase on sales tax within the city to address deficiencies in public safety and city services (read, police and fire but also things like senior service). The city estimated the tax could bring in $28 million annually, starting in April.

The sales tax in Clovis will now be 8.975%, one of the highest in Fresno County.