‘I’m listening’: Fresno County supervisor to ask residents what changes they’d like to see

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A local lawmaker is trying to help Fresno County residents learn more about the budgeting process. 

Through January, Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez will be passing out surveys to find out what improvements need to be made while also giving residents a look at how county tax dollars are allocated. 

“I’m listening to what the needs are in our community,” he said. “And then I’m utilizing that information to craft our budget at the county.” 

Anyone living in District 3 who wants to participate can mail in the forms or scan the code to participate. 

Many of the responses Chavez has collected so far are about public safety.  

“The operation of the jail, our judicial system, but then also the homeless challenge, we see them like everywhere in the neighborhoods behind alleyways and parks and canal banks. People want to know what we are going to do to address that,” he said.

Janina Schulz lives in Supervisor Chavez’ district and believes the forms are a good way to gauge what folks are most concerned about.

She explained, “I think that’s important just to have people’s opinions and things that they’re concerned about and hearing from the different residents, because I’m sure there are different opinions up and down the street.” 

Schulz is also concerned with the safety of the streets in her neighborhood. 

“There’s no speed bumps and there’s only one stop sign, which is kind of at the midway point. So, we have a lot of cars speeding through the neighborhood, and oftentimes they’ll do donuts in the center of each of the intersections,” she noted.

Along with gathering the forms, Chavez also plans to inform the community about shifts to county services due to the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

“With Medicare and Medicaid, we know that there are going to be people getting kicked off of that as a result of the federal legislation. So, we’re trying to set up safety net programs,” he said. “People that are not going to qualify for those services, now they’re going to either have to go to our emergency room or to a federally qualified health center. So, I’m trying to connect those folks and provide transportation fi they need it so they can get to those services.”

Chavez held a town hall to help community members better understand the process with Councilmember Annalisa Perea, Congressman Jim Costa and other lawmakers. 

He plans to host another in late October or early November.