A key for Kurt Madden, other successes from Fresno’s State of the City

The annual State of the City event packed Fresno’s Convention Center Exhibit Hall Thursday, with Mayor Jerry Dyer sharing about challenges ahead and stories of success from the past year.

Hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, the State of the City kicked off with awards to standout citizens. Receiving a special Key to the City was Kurt Madden, CEO of Career Nexus.

Career Nexus was formed in 2021 to connect partner employers with young adults searching for internships, education and training. That includes more than 325 that participated in the city’s youth job corps.

Madden served as chief technology officer for Fresno Unified School district for 14 years, and also held positions including corporate vice president for a Fortune 1000 tech firm and president and founder of two local technology companies.

Other citizen award winners include Youth Leader Yolanda Randles with West Fresno Family Resource Center; Homeless Hero Katie Wilbur with RH Community Builders; Downtown Champion Reza Assemi; and the Beautify Fresno award to Crly Alvarado.

Dyer talked about financial challenges that lay ahead. He recently learned that $200 million promised for downtown improvement from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office must be deferred for another year.

The City is projecting a $47 million budget deficit by this summer.

Dyer said his administration plans to deliver a balanced budget proposal on May 16.

He highlighted his administration’s other fiscal achievements, including a fully funded reserve balance of 10%, or $46 million, and a recent Fitch ratings upgrade to AA — the highest ever for the city, translating into lower interest rates for borrowing.

Dyer issued calls to a number of groups, most strongly to Pacific Gas & Electric Co., asking them to “loosen some of their profits.” Dyer has been a vocal critic of proposed electricity rate increases.

He also asked landlords to do their part to help stabilize rents, as Fresnans are living on razor-thin margins. He highlighted new landlords participating in housing voucher programs through Fresno Housing.

Dyer also shared successes in alleviating homelessness and beautifying the streets. His budget will include twice as much funding for a program to remove litter from Fresno freeways.

He concluded by saying Fresno’s future is bright, requiring the  complimentary sunglasses left on the table for each guest of the annual event.