Measure P is a sales tax that was placed on the November 2018 ballot to improve Fresno’s parks and recreation programs through a 3/8 cent sales tax. Measure C is also a sales tax that was passed in 1986 aimed at improving the quality of Fresno County’s transportation system through a half-cent sales tax. Fresno County voters voted in November 2006 to extend Measure C for an additional 20 years all the way through 2027. The purpose of this analysis is to compare the projected total of each of these measures to socioeconomic indicators of ZIP Codes in Fresno. The socioeconomic indicators selected for the maps and charts are the following: percent unemployed, percent below 200% of the Federal Poverty level, and percent People of Color.
The first analysis includes three interactive maps that compares the location of projects under Measures P and C to the socioeconomic indicators by ZIP Code. The second analysis is a map that also compares the location of Measure P projects, but this time against existing Fresno City parks. Finally, the last analysis is a series of charts that compares the 5-year Projected Total (2023-2027) for Measure C and Measure P projects to the three socioeconomic indicators as well as the Fresno City Council District.
A consultant for Advancement Project CA (APCA) researched each Measure C and P project and approximated the location of each based on project descriptions found within city documents. For projects affecting trails or streets, the beginning and ending address of the project was approximated where possible. For all other projects, the exact location or center of the project was approximated by a single point. APCA then created coordinates for each project using the tidygeocoder() function in R to create the points and lines that you see in the maps. Roughly 32 out of 165 projects were unable to be geocoded because approximate address locations of these projects could not be found. APCA also intersected the projects with the ZIP Code and council districts they are located in in order to compare the location of projects to socioeconomic indicators by ZIP Code. Socioeconomic estimates are from American Community Survey data based on ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which is often used as a proxy for ZIP Codes. Since some of these projects are trails or streets which can cross multiple ZIP Codes, the ZIP Codes where at least 15% of the project falls within is assigned to the project. However, projects are only assigned to the Council District where the majority of the project is located. People of color is defined as the percent of the population identifying as Black, Latinx, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
Note because of geocoding differences, some Measure P improvements may appear adjacent or close to the existing parks they are benefiting.
City Council Districts and Existing Fresno City Parks: City of Fresno GIS Download
Socioeconomic Indicators: American Community Survey 5 year estimates 2015-2019, 2016-2020.
Measure C & P Projects: Approximate Address Points for Measure P and C Projects compiled by Advancement Project California based on public documents from the City of Fresno.