Avenal residents make pleas to Kings County supervisors for help with recall crisis
.JPG "Kings County DA and sheriff served Wednesday, July 1, 2026, seven search warrants at Avenal City Hall, community center and homes of recalled officials amid an ongoing investigation.")
As Avenal continues to be embroiled in a political crisis, residents of the small city about 60 miles south of Fresno are desperate for legal guidance and action to address the recall of four City Council members.
Avenal residents asked the Kings County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday for help to restore a functioning city government after April’s successful recall election. The city has claimed it was an illegal recall process.
“Is there something that you guys can help us do? Because obviously they don’t want to step down, and they’re doing more harm to the community than they are trying to better the community by staying there,” recall supporter Ginger Wallis said to the board during public comment.
Avenal voters recalled Mayor Alvaro Preciado and Councilmembers Leticia Gamez, Pablo Hernandez and David Reynosa. The recall election had more than 73% voter approval. The only official not recalled is Councilmember Ricardo Verdugo.
The recalled officials have refused to step down despite recall certification, leading to an ongoing legal battle between the city, recall organizers and Kings County.
Could the county take over Avenal’s City Council or directly appoint council members on its own? The county’s current involvement in the legal dispute includes the certification of the recall election process and the filing of a joint quo warranto application in June, which was approved by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on June 17. It cleared the path to file a lawsuit against Preciado, Gamez, Hernandez and Reynosa.
Residents initiated the recall last summer, citing council members’ perceived disrespect toward constituents, lack of transparency and accountability, and Brown Act violations over a controversial decision to replace the Kings County Fire contract with a volunteer-only fire department.
“During this unprecedented crisis facing our city, I have come to you because, as residents, we feel there is nowhere else to run,” said Avenal resident Veronica Loya. “We’ve reach out to state and federal representatives seeking guidance and support, but unfortunately, we have not received the level of assistance our community desperately needs.”
There were more questions than answers. What are the legal options and responsibilities of the only City Council member who was not recalled to protect city operations and keep basic city business moving legally while the recall quo warranto issues are being resolved.
Residents asked the county to provide its legal position, assist with proper process in the upcoming November general elections, get clarification from the court regarding vacancies and a quorum, and guide Verdugo on how Avenal can lawfully function during this time.
Loya said while the attorney general cleared the path for legal action against the recalled council members to move forward, residents are concerned about the lengthy legal process that could prolong “the uncertainty our community is facing.”
“This is uncharted territory for all of us, right,” said Sheila Verdugo, an Avenal resident and Verdugo’s wife.
Following a series of tense council meetings in June, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office executed seven search warrants on July 1 at locations including Avenal City Hall, the community center and the homes of the four recalled council members and City Manager Antony Lopez.
Authorities declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation to avoid jeopardizing the case. However, cell phones and computers were taken from the homes of the officials and their family members as part of the ongoing criminal investigation.
