Mayor Lee Brand, 2018 file photo

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand — along with City Manager Wilma Quan — has announced the proposed city budget for Fiscal Year 2020 during a press conference at City Hall.

The $1.187 billion budget, which includes $346 million for the general fund, has been set forth to provide long-term financial stability, with a focus on economic development and creation, improving public safety and creating a more business friendly climate.

“This budget represents our continued strategy to use a sensible and balanced approach to make our city a better and safer place to live, work, raise our children and enjoy life,” Brand said. “That’s why we are focused every day on creating an economy that works for everyone to transform our narrative from poverty to prosperity with the goal of improving the quality of life for everyone in Fresno.”

The proposed 2020 budget includes funding to replace 71 aging police vehicles with new squad cars, construction of a new fire station, extensive park funding, paving for 74 lane miles of road, sidewalk repairs and matching funds for the Transform Fresno cap-and-trade project.

“These investments clearly show our continued commitment to the Mayor’s key initiatives of economic prosperity, quality of life, and public safety,” Quan said, “while maintaining the fiscal prudence that has earned Fresno the reputation of being one of the best-run cities in America.”

Mayor Brand will present the proposed budget to Fresno City Council at its meeting on Monday, June 4, and must be adopted by June 30.