Is this the same as the Better Roads, Safe Streets initiative?
Yes, the Better Roads, Safe Streets initiative is now Measure S on your November 3, 2026, ballot.
Is Measure S a new tax?
Measure S continues the existing half-cent transportation funding that Fresno County voters first approved in 1986, known as Measure C. It does not raise the sales tax rate — it renews and updates the funding that is already in place.
Why do we need Measure S?
Fresno County’s current transportation funding, Measure C, expires in June 2027. Without a replacement, local road funding disappears. Deferred road maintenance countywide is estimated at $5.4 billion, and pothole damage can cost drivers up to $2,000 in repairs every year.
How long would Measure S last?
30 years, with a mandatory comprehensive public review at least every 10 years, so voters and officials can check that the plan is working as intended.
Will this increase my taxes?
Measure S does not increase the tax rate; it saves us money by continuing the transportation funding already in place, giving every city and town the resources to fix potholes, repair local streets, improve emergency response, and keep our roads in good condition.
Where does the money go?
Measure S funds are legally protected and can only be spent on Fresno County transportation projects that residents say matter most — placed in a special account the state can’t touch. The majority, 65%, goes to repairing and maintaining neighborhood streets and roads, including making it safer for kids to walk to school. The rest improves connectivity along major corridors and strengthens public transportation, including free transit for seniors (62+), students, veterans, active-duty military, and people with disabilities. Just 1% funds independent oversight and annual audits, so residents can see every dollar is spent the way they say it should be — without raising taxes.
Funding is allocated into five program categories:
- 65% – Repair & maintain neighborhood streets and roads
- 25% – Public transportation (buses, transit access)
- 5% – Regional connectivity between cities and towns
- 4% – Access & innovation (zero-emission tech, new connections)
- 1% – Independent audits, oversight, and administration
Why do we need Measure S?
Fresno County’s current transportation funding, Measure C, expires in June 2027. Without a replacement, local road funding disappears. Deferred road maintenance countywide is estimated at $5.4 billion, and pothole damage can cost drivers up to $2,000 in repairs every year.
What will I get for my money?
Measure S requires cities, the County, and every transit agency to meet performance targets and report to the public annually, including:
- Bring every neighborhood road to “Good” condition, checked every 5 years
- Build/maintain 120 miles of new bike & pedestrian trails, that’s 4 miles per year
- Complete 150 Safe Routes to School projects
- Improve public transit frequency and reliability
- Provide zero-fare transit for students, seniors (62+), veterans, active military, and people with disabilities
- Create thousands of local construction, maintenance, and engineering jobs
Will I be forced to ride the bus?
Of course not! Measure S invests in what Fresno County residents say matters most. Nearly 80% of transit riders depend on public transportation to get where they need to go, and Measure S keeps that funding nearly unchanged so seniors, people with disabilities, students, veterans, and active-duty military can continue reaching the medical appointments and services they rely on.
Why does Measure S require 120 miles of bike and pedestrian paths?
Fresno County has become one of the most dangerous places in America to walk or bike — more than 100 people are killed and over 300 severely injured on our roads every year, with pedestrians and cyclists facing the greatest risk. Measure S helps cities and the County carry out their Active Transportation plans by funding 4 miles of new, physically separated bike and pedestrian paths every year — 120 miles by 2057, with Fresno and Clovis building 84 of those miles and the County the remaining 36 — so residents can get around safely.
Will Measure S reduce road lanes to make room for bus lanes and bike lanes?
No. Measure S doesn’t mandate lane reductions. Each city and the County decides transportation projects locally, based on their own traffic studies and community needs.
How do I know the money won’t be misused?
An independent Citizens Oversight Committee, annual outside audits, and a public project database track every dollar. The Fresno Council of Governments, every city, the County, and each transit agency are required to report their progress and complete an annual audit, so residents can see exactly where their money goes. Any misuse of funds is subject to criminal prosecution by the Fresno County District Attorney and the State Attorney General.
How will Measure S help our local economy?
An independent economic analysis estimates Measure S would generate roughly 68,000 jobs and $13.5 billion in total economic output for the region over 30 years, while raising an estimated $7.4 billion in local transportation funding.
Who is behind Measure S?
Measure S is a citizen-led initiative shaped by months of community input, backed by a broad coalition of everyday Fresnans — nurses, teachers, emergency responders, local mayors, community and business organizations, and labor groups. It qualified for the November 3, 2026, ballot after gathering more than 32,000 signatures from residents, giving voters the final say on how their tax dollars are spent.