Information about Measure A: A Local Funding Ballot Measure Paid Only on Overnight Hotel/Motel/Short-Term Lodging Stays Fresno County Public Safety, Local Control Measure Key Facts About Measure A Measure A was referred to the ballot by a unanimous vote of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on June 30, 2026. The measure would establish a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on paid stays of 30 days or less at hotel, motel, short-term rental, and other accommodations in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County only — not within city limits. Fresno County currently charges no TOT in its unincorporated areas. The 12% rate would bring the County in line with local communities that already charge it, including the Cities of Fresno, Clovis, Fowler, Kingsburg, and Selma. The tax is paid only by overnight visitors and guests staying in hotels and short-term lodging. It is not paid by County residents in their daily lives (unless they are staying in a hotel or other short-term lodging), and it is only collected and remitted by hotel or rental operators. All funds would stay local and be controlled by Fresno County. Measure A is estimated to generate approximately $4,500,000 annually in general revenue, which can be used to support a variety of County services including public safety, 911 and fire response, wildfire and disaster preparedness and response, drinking water protection, public health, and behavioral health services. Background Fresno County is home to more than one million residents, spread across 6011 square miles, 15 cities, and 40 unincorporated communities. The unincorporated communities are areas outside city limits that rely entirely on the County for public safety, road maintenance, emergency response, public health, and many other essential services. These areas cover vast parts of the County. Every day, the County delivers these services across rural and suburban regions. But increasing service demands, aging infrastructure, wildfire and weather risks, and shifts in federal and state funding all strain the County budget. Even with careful financial stewardship and balanced budgets, long-term solutions are needed to maintain essential services for residents living within city boundaries and in the unincorporated parts of the County. Currently, the County does not charge a TOT in its unincorporated areas, while most cities in the County already charge around 12%. Matching that rate could generate approximately $4.5 million a year to help sustain local services. What is Measure A? Measure A is a ballot measure for Fresno County voters, referred by unanimous vote of the Board of Supervisors on June 30, 2026. Measure A seeks voter approval to establish a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on hotel, motel, and short-term rental stays in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County (not in cities). A “YES vote” approves the measure; a “NO vote” rejects it. What is the actual question that voters will be asked to decide? Measure A Ballot Question: “Fresno County Hotel Tax. Shall the measure to establish a tax paid only by guests staying in overnight short-term lodging in the unincorporated area of Fresno County at the rate of 12% of the rent for the stay, estimated to raise $4,500,000 annually, until changed or repealed, in general revenue for the County of Fresno, which provides public safety, wildfire/disaster response, 911, road maintenance, behavioral and public health, water infrastructure, parks, and other public services, be adopted?” How could Measure A funds be used? If passed, funds would go to the County’s General Fund and could be used to support a variety of County services, including: Medical emergency, 911, and fire response Natural disaster, wildfire, and emergency preparedness and response Public safety Maintaining behavioral health services Maintaining public health services Other essential County services provided to unincorporated communities and cities. Natural and wildfire disaster preparedness and emergency response Drinking water protection Maintaining public health and social services Other essential County services provided to both unincorporated communities and cities. Measure A is a general tax. Frequently Asked Questions About Measure A What is a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)? A Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a tax applied to the cost of lodging for guests who stay in hotels, motels, short-term rentals, and other accommodations, for 30 days or less. It is added to the guest’s lodging bill as an additional cost at the time of the stay. What would the tax apply to? The tax would apply only to paid hotel, motel, short-term rental, and other accommodation stays located in the unincorporated areas of Fresno County. It would not apply within city limits, and it would not apply to permanent residents (unless they are staying in a paid short-term accommodation in the unincorporated area) or long-term housing (stays of longer than 30 days). Will visitors pay? Yes. A Transient Occupancy Tax is paid only by visitors and guests who stay 30 days or less in hotels, motels, short-term rentals, and other paid accommodations within the unincorporated areas. It is not paid by County residents in their daily lives, unless they are staying in a hotel, motel, short-term rental, or other accommodation, and it is not paid, but only collected and remitted, by hotel or rental operators. How does Fresno County’s TOT compare to local cities and other counties? Fresno County is currently the only California county with hotels and short-term rentals in its unincorporated areas that imposes no Transient Occupancy Tax on those visitors. The proposed 12% rate would bring the County’s TOT in line with the rate already charged by the Cities of Fresno, Clovis, Fowler, Kingsburg, and Selma. Will Measure A money remain in Fresno County? Yes. All funds generated by Measure A would stay local and be controlled by Fresno County. How much revenue could Measure A generate? Measure A could generate approximately $4,500,000 annually. This revenue is dependent on the volume of lodging stays subject to the tax. Does the measure include fiscal accountability requirements? The County is committed to transparency and responsible fiscal stewardship for all revenues. Revenue generated from the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) can only be used for Fresno County purposes, such as services and infrastructure that benefit the Fresno County community. The County will continue to undergo annual independent financial audits, and information regarding County revenues and expenditures is publicly available on the County website at https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/County-Administrative-Office/Budget-Files How will Measure A funds be monitored? The County is required to publicly disclose how its revenues are spent and to conduct audits. All Measure A funds would stay locally controlled in Fresno County. Who decides how Measure A funds will be spent? The Fresno County Board of Supervisors would allocate the Measure A funding through its annual budget process, with priorities such as public safety, emergency and wildfire response, water infrastructure, and health and human services. Who makes the final decision on Measure A? A County TOT requires approval from both the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and Fresno County voters. Registered voters will have the final say when they vote for or against the measure. Where can I get more information? For more information, visit www.fresnocountyca.gov