FRESNO — Public safety officials took center stage at this year’s State of the Country address, where county officials recognized law enforcement officers, first responders and community volunteers for their work across the region.
Held at the Fresno Convention Center on Sept. 24, the annual event brought together elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the county’s accomplishments. This year’s theme, “Building a safer, stronger county,” put the spotlight on public safety — including efforts to prosecute drug traffickers and rescue animals during natural disasters.
The event was organized by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Community Health Systems.
Spotlight on public safety
After opening remarks from Scott Miller — CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce — county supervisors Nathan Magsig and Luis Chavez were brought on stage to introduce board Chairman Garry Bredefeld. While Magsig joked that members have different opinions on how to approach the county’s problems, he said the one thing all five supervisors can agree on is the importance of public safety.
The introduction was followed by the full version of a controversial promotional video for the event, which featured Bredefeld alongside public safety officials before showing him flying a sheriff’s office helicopter, driving a tank and firing a rifle on his way to the event.
The video drew attention after the county posted a preview to social media on July 15, with Bredefeld later describing it as a tribute to law enforcement. Directed by Emmy award-winning producer Jeff Aiello, the video was financed by a sponsor for a cost of $7,000, according to a county spokesperson.
Bredefeld then pointed to several actions taken by the board of supervisors to address public safety, including ordinances targeting copper wire and catalytic converter theft, efforts to reduce the concentration of registered sex offenders in residential areas and a crackdown on illegal dog breeding operations.
A separate promotional video highlighted the work of Chief Deputy DA Kendall Reynolds and Commander Michael Johns who successfully prosecuted the county’s first murder charges for distributing and selling fentanyl. The charges followed the overdose death of 41-year-old Jade Dreith in 2022.
“The government does not answer a 911 call in the middle of the night, people do,” Bredefeld said. “The government can pass ordinances and approve budgets, but people build our community. That is why I can confidently say that the state of Fresno County is strong.”
Balancing the budget and building infrastructure
Bredefeld noted that the county recently balanced its $5.5 billion budget for the last nine months of fiscal year 2026-2027, which narrowly avoided a deficit that officials had warned could follow federal funding cuts.
The budget places over $2.7 billion in the general fund, $2 billion in special revenue and trust funds, $454.5 million in internal service funds, $183.8 million in capital projects, almost $60 million in enterprise funds and $49 million in debt services. Bredefeld credited Supervisors Magsig, Buddy Mendes and Brian Pacheco with helping balance the budget. The three members are slated to leave the board at the end of the year.
Bredefeld affirmed that agriculture “remains the backbone of our economy,” noting that the board established Fresno County Farmworker and Agriculture Appreciation Day to recognize farmers across the county that “feed the nation.”
He went on to highlight programs across the county that he said have improved the quality of life for residents, including investments in housing, community centers, libraries and broadband that have created opportunities across the county, including in rural communities.
Bredefeld said the county’s New Employment Opportunities Program has helped thousands of residents find jobs. He also said the county paved more than 500 miles of roads over the past year, alongside investments in transportation, pedestrian safety, emergency communications, election systems and other public infrastructure.
“Government cannot create success, but it can create conditions where success is possible,” Bredefeld said.
Recognizing the Fresno County Community
Bredefeld continued to recognize various public safety officers throughout the afternoon, and even recognized Mona Ahmed — the founder and executive director of Fresno Furry Friends — with the Chairman’s Outstanding Service to Fresno County Award for rescuing hundreds of animals across the county.
The county board chair spent his final remarks at the event praising the character of residents across Fresno County, affirming that the region is defined by public servants who “believe service still matters.”
“After budgets are spent and reports are filed, it’s the character of our people that make Fresno County special and thrive,” Bredefeld said. “It’s strong because our people are strong.”
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article was updated on Sept. 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. PST to correct the spelling of multiple names and the attribution of information regarding the funding for the promotional video.
