UPDATE: The Fresno City Council is set to determine its new president during a crucial meeting on January 15, 2026. As the council gears up for this pivotal vote, the decision carries significant implications for leadership and local governance.
The new president will preside over council meetings, shape the agenda, and serve as the council’s primary leader. This election process has recently changed, allowing any councilmember to be nominated, a shift from the previous rotation system. Current President Mike Karbassi, representing District 2, is eligible for re-election, though he has remained tight-lipped on his intentions.
To secure the presidency, a councilmember must garner four votes, with as many rounds of voting as needed. The new rules have opened the door for more candidates, but they also impose a requirement that candidates must have served for at least one year, ruling out Brandon Vang, who was elected in March 2025.
Traditionally, Miguel Arias, District 3 councilmember, would have been next in line after serving as vice president last year. However, the new dynamic could lead to unexpected outcomes. Councilmember Tyler Maxwell from District 4 has stated he is not pursuing the presidency, instead focusing on infrastructure projects in his district and remaining open to supporting an experienced candidate.
The urgency surrounding the presidency is compounded by multiple councilmembers campaigning for various elections this year. Karbassi is running for Fresno County Supervisor, while Vang is seeking re-election. Nicholas Richardson from District 6 has expressed interest only in the vice presidency, further complicating the dynamics.
In a separate but related matter, Vang and Richardson held a news conference on January 7, 2026, addressing transparency in city contracts, raising eyebrows with only 90 minutes notice. Their focus on transparency comes amid previous council decisions that increased the approval threshold for contracts from $50,000 to $100,000.
Vang reiterated the need for “stronger transparency and accountability,” advocating for a reduction of the contract threshold back to $50,000. However, Richardson disagreed, emphasizing the need for better listing of contracts under $100,000 on the city website.
Karbassi, who was absent from the conference, is advocating for the creation of an ad hoc council review committee to scrutinize existing policies, including those related to transparency.
As the council prepares for its first meeting of the year, the decisions made could have lasting effects on Fresno’s governance and community trust. All eyes will be on the January 15 vote as the council sets its leadership for the coming year.
In a positive development for local media, the Maddy Report, a public affairs TV show produced by the Fresno State-based Maddy Institute, has secured a $20,000 grant from the James B. McClatchy Foundation’s Democracy Fund. This funding will enhance the platform’s ability to engage local leaders and experts in vital regional discussions.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and the Fresno City Council prepares for crucial decisions that could shape the future of governance in the city.
