As we close out the year, I am honored to reflect on the progress we have made together as a city. This has been a year of collaboration, determination, and, most importantly, progress for our residents. At the start of my term as council president, I described Fresno as a “three-legged stool” with public safety, housing, and economic development as its foundation — and our residents at its heart.

I am proud to say that this year we strengthened every one of these pillars, laying the groundwork for a stronger, more vibrant Fresno for generations to come.

Public safety

A thriving city begins with safety. That’s why we prioritized community-based policing, building trust between our neighborhoods and law enforcement. Working closely with Interim Chief Mindy Casto, we expanded efforts to ensure Fresno’s police force remains robust, diverse and equipped to meet the needs of our growing city. By fostering stronger connections, we are creating safer streets, businesses, and schools where every resident feels secure and supported.

I also spearheaded a security camera rebate program for our small businesses, ensuring that we’re doing our part to help safeguard our local mom and pop shops.

Economic development

Most notably, this year we achieved a historic tax-sharing agreement with our county partners — an equitable and long-overdue solution that is a win for all Fresno residents. This agreement unlocks the potential for building more housing, clean energy hubs, good-paying manufacturing jobs and vital tax revenue to fund services like roads, police and fire departments.

Economic growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating opportunities and ensuring that every neighborhood benefits from Fresno’s progress. This agreement marks a turning point for our city, one that will fuel our economy and deliver the services our residents rely on.

Housing

The housing crisis continues to weigh on too many Fresno families, and we took bold action this year to increase affordability and accessibility. By modernizing outdated zoning ordinances and streamlining our city’s permitting processes, we reduced barriers to housing construction. This will accelerate the development of more affordable units, creating opportunities for families to find homes that fit their needs and budgets.

These steps are helping us create a Fresno where everyone has a place to call home and a real opportunity at home ownership.

Compassionate solutions for homelessness

At the same time, we cannot turn away from the challenges of homelessness, particularly for those struggling with mental health and substance addiction. This year, we laid the groundwork for innovative, compassionate programs that balance accountability with care, ensuring our most vulnerable residents have a path toward stability and recovery.

Looking ahead

While we celebrate these accomplishments, the work is far from over. As we turn the page to 2025, our focus will remain on building a safer, more affordable, and economically vibrant Fresno. The three-legged stool we built this year is strong, but we will continue to strengthen it by addressing new challenges as opportunities for growth and progress.

Fresno’s future is bright, and the best is yet to come. Together, let us build on this momentum and ensure that every resident—no matter their background or neighborhood ~ feels the benefits of our city’s success. My team and I are available to assist – please call us at (559) 621-8000 or 311.

Here’s to an even stronger Fresno in 2025!

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Annalisa Perea of District 1 is the outgoing president of the Fresno City Council.