Fresno Mayor Lee Brand has withdrawn his proposed half-cent tax initiative to fund parks and police only three days after officially announcing it at a press conference. Photo by David Castellon.

Mayor Lee Brand has announced his withdrawal of a proposed half-cent sales to support Fresno parks and public safety expenditures.

In a Thursday morning press release, Brand stated that he didn’t see any chance of the five-person City Council approving the addition of the measure to the ballot in November.

“I believe this measure would go a long way toward fulfilling the compelling, massive and undeniable needs this City has for parks, police and fire service,” Brand said. “And I believe this is the only measure of all of the ballot measures that have been discussed that has any reasonable or possible chance of success in the November election.”

Despite the setback, however, Brand said that he remains committed to working on parks and public safety in Fresno, expressing hopes that residents in Fresno would have the opportunity to vote on how the city will look and feel over the next 15 years.

“I am heartened and hopeful for the overwhelming support I have received from the brave men an women in our fire and police departments and our dedicated parks workers,” Brand said. “I urge all of you to join me in working together to make Fresno better and safer.”