SANGER – After missing a request for a financial breakdown at the March 19 city council meeting, the chamber of commerce returned to council with its contractually-mandated report.
On April 16, Sanger District Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Isaiah Lopez gave a quarterly presentation to the city council to give an update on contract compliance, and to address concerns raised regarding the chamber’s financial transparency. The presentation gave an overview of the year’s events, attendance and costs.
“I want to thank those who have supported the chamber and my leadership during this period of transition,” said Lopez during the presentation. “The challenges we inherited were significant, but the progress we have made in less than a year reflects our commitment to accountability, growth and service to this community.”
According to the presentation, some of the year’s most attended events were the Fourth of July Spectacular, the 37th Annual Downtown Trunk or Treat and the 77th Annual Toyland Parade and Inaugural Holiday Vendor Fair.
The presentation stated that the Fourth of July saw attendance from more than 1,500 community members. Thanks to highly profitable parking sales, and the city taking on the majority of expenses for the event, the chamber had an income of around $13,000 with an expense of $223.
The trunk or treat event saw attendance from more than 2,000 guests, and saw participation from around 35 local businesses. The chamber saw an income of $700 with a $1,600 expense.
The holiday parade and vendor fair saw a “milestone” number of 100 entrees, in addition to 35 participating vendors. The event saw more than 3,000 guests, with a total of around $8,000 in income and around $4,000 in expenses.
After giving the rundown on all of the year’s events, Lopez took time to address the chamber’s current financial position, and some of the challenges that were identified during his transition into the President-CEO position.
“During this transition, we uncovered approximately $50,000 in outstanding invoices and debt. We have been proactive and intentional addressing these obligations and we are steadily restoring the chamber’s financial standing,” said Lopez.
According to Lopez, this is being done by restructuring membership and vendor fees, recruiting new chamber members and seeking sponsorship opportunities.
He then took time to comment on rumors of an investigation into the chamber by the district attorney, and of a break-in at the chamber office, that were included in the March 19 staff report.
“I’d like to clarify that as of today, there is no district attorney investigation and no confirmed break-in at the city annex chamber office,” Lopez said in the presentation.
Lopez also spoke on some points of discussion that were raised in an April 9 meeting with City Manager Nathan Olson meant to clarify issues around compliance. A question raised by Olson during the meeting was regarding the chamber’s use of professional services connected to Board Chair Cheryl Senn, who many in the community may know for her role with the Sanger Scene.
“I explained that those services were approved by the board prior to me as CEO, and the board chair does not use the chamber office for personal business, only for chamber-related administrative responsibilities,” Lopez said to the council.
Lopez later told the Mid Valley Times that these services included operation of the chamber website through the Sanger Scene, as well as promotional posts for chamber events through the Sanger Scene. Lopez also said that board member Mark Morales previously provided floral services for chamber events through M&E Flowers.
He reaffirmed to the Mid Valley Times that these services were voted on by the board before his time as CEO, and were done with the proper quotes and invoices.
During the city council meeting, Lopez also said that Olson requested a non-voting seat on all chamber committees, and realignment of the board with 50% new members. Lopez told the council that although he would bring those requests to the board, he does not “control board decisions.”
After the presentation and final comments, Senn took to the podium to speak on the discussion around her business dealings, but City Attorney Shannon Chaffin — prompted by Mayor Frank Gonzalez — reminded Senn and the public that the agenda item was meant solely for the quarterly presentation, and not what Chaffin later called “a he said, she said thing.”
In her brief comments, Senn noted that her term as board chair ends on June 30, and that she will be succeeded by Morales.
Council comments
During the council’s discussion on the presentation, Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Martinez opened by commending the chamber for its recent community outreach efforts, expressing particular excitement about the chamber reaching 200 members.
He also acknowledged the challenge that comes with chamber finances, noting that most of the events result in financial loss, but raising fees brings the potential for lower participation.
Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado followed, saying that although some of the events came at a high cost, “it showed.” She also praised the chamber for its incorporation of community organizations — particularly at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony — that help promote math, science and art to local youth.
Hurtado closed her comments by saying she sees how the chamber has been working toward improvements, but has been saddened by the contentious circumstances surrounding the chamber in recent months.
“I know it’s hard to be working in the conditions that have been presented, unfortunately, with this massive back-and-forth, and just internal stuff and external stuff affecting the chamber,” said Hurtado in her comments. “I absolutely do not agree with that, I think it’s no way to be able to properly do work, and it just gets in the way.”
Councilmember Michael Montelongo thanked Lopez for the presentation, but remained skeptical on chamber operations as a whole. He first pointed out that since 2021, there have been three president-CEOs, which he feels is “concerning.”
Montelongo also noted out that although the presentation gave the income and expenses of each event, it did not provide any specifics as to where those numbers came from. He said that over the years, financial transparency between the city and the chamber has had its ups and downs, but with Lopez, he hopes to see a better grip on chamber spending.
“I wish you really had a much more detailed income expenditure plan and how things went, but seeing face-to-face what has taken place downtown and the things you guys did, it’s fantastic,” said Montelongo.
Mayor Gonzalez was the last to comment, raising some mild concern on all of the losses that the chamber took with each event, but he also recognized the need for balancing profit and vendor participation. Gonzalez also thanked the chamber for their work on last year’s groundbreaking for Tractor Supply Co., and said that the company will be looking to set up a ribbon cutting soon.
As a final matter, the council voted to establish an ad hoc committee in anticipation of the next chamber contract negotiation. After a brief discussion, the council decided to appoint Gonzalez and Montelongo as the committee’s two city council representatives.
In a closing comment, Hurtado expressed her wishes for fair and open negotiations.
“I would just really ask that you guys go in with good faith and work with the chamber. Tonight, we did see someone get silenced, and as a council, we want to make sure that everything’s out there, and that the chamber is also in agreement with whatever is on their contract,” Hurtado said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this article was updated on April 17, 2026 at 3:10 p.m. pst to correct the date of the meeting.
