REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department BY: SARAH GAYTAN, Program Manager Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department SUBJECT ..Title Submission for acceptance of the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission's Five-Year Evaluation of the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Tax (Measure P) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff is formally submitting for acceptance the Measure P five-year evaluation for the period of April 22, 2021 through April 22, 2026. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pursuant to section 7-1509(e)(7) of the Fresno Municipal Code, the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (Commission) shall complete a five-year evaluation of the Measure P program and submits its findings to the City and the public. This item formally submits a copy of the five-year evaluation prepared by the Commission and related materials to the Fresno City Council. BACKGROUND On July 18, 2018, the City Clerk received an Initiative Petition proposing the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Tax (Measure P). On February 18, 2021, the City Council certified Measure P as passed. On March 8, 2021 Council adopted ordinance no 2021-010, which took effect on April 22, 2021. Collection of the special sales tax began July 1, 2021. The revenues generated by the Measure P sales tax are allocated by the City on an annual basis with additional independent oversight provided by the Commission consisting of nine (9) members. Pursuant to section 7-1509(e)(7) of the Fresno Municipal Code, the Commission shall complete a five-year evaluation of the Measure P program and present its findings to the City and the public. To facilitate the first five-year evaluation, staff presented a workshop to PRAC on December 15, 2025 and the Commission passed a resolution forming a sub-committee of three members to prepare the evaluation. The subcommittee met on several occasions and completed the evaluation independently. Staff provided resources for the sub-committee's review including copies of adopted budgets, Measure P audits, Measure P annual reports, past presentations made to the Commission, memos and links to the City of Fresno's annual audits. After reviewing the materials, the sub-committee produced an Evaluation Report (Attachment A). On April 20, 2026 the written evaluation was presented to the Commission by the sub-committee. During the presentation (Attachment B), Commissioners discussed several items related to the evaluation which they requested be shared with the Fresno City Council. The key findings from the report and discussion items are summarized below. Five-Year Evaluation Key Findings 1. The City of Fresno has complied with the proportional allocation and identified eligible program categories specified in the Measure P Ordinance. 2. The allocation of Culture and Arts funds under this category has expanded access to cultural arts, however, several improvements are recommended. 3. Measure P has successfully transitioned Fresno's park system from a state of critical underfunding to one of active revitalization and expansion. 4. The City of Fresno with Measure P has transitioned to a model that has seen growth in community participation and accessibility with parks, facilities, and programming. 5. Measure P has established proactive equity in planning to ensure historically underserved areas are properly included in project and programmatic funding. Commission Discussion Summary 1. Feedback was given on the need to increase outreach to south central, southeast and southwest for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant Program. 2. A question was raised about the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement under Measure P section 7-1503(f), which requires the City to maintain General Fund spending at the same level as in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The City's Finance Department calculated the MOE based on the ordinance, emphasizing that voters intended Measure P funds to supplement, not replace, the City's 2017-18 spending in the areas supported by the measure. 3. The importance of evaluation and the need for evaluation consultant services for future evaluations was discussed. 4. It was communicated that the budget presentation formatting that the PARCS Department has used when presenting to the Commission made it easier for the sub-committee to trace expenditure compliance. 5. A discussion arose about exploring joint-use agreements to expand access to green space at schools and basins as an interim solution to expand park acreage in Fresno. There were mixed comments on the topic with several commissioners' encouraging prioritization of expanding park acreage using Measure P funds over increasing joint-use agreements. The PARCS Department is submitting the five-year evaluation to the Fresno City Council on behalf of the Commission. The next five-year evaluation will be due on April 22, 2031. Staff will take all of the comments received into consideration to inform the future process. This item has been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable since this item will not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT This item will have no fiscal impact. Attachments: Attachment A - Five-Year Evaluation Report Attachment B - Five-Year Evaluation Workshop