California Record
Fresno County
EBM

Ernest Buddy Mendes

District 4 SupervisorElected outright June 7 2022 primary (Ballotpedia, 54.0%) -> began Mon Jan 2 2023 under Gov Code 25304.5 rule. term_end = Dec 31 of the final year of the 4-year cycle (convention; statutory end is the first Monday after Jan 1 of the next year, Gov Code 25304.5). Term dates per Cal. Gov. Code §24200: county supervisors take office the first Monday after Jan 1 following election, for 4-year terms (Santa Cruz County Elections, votescount.com 'Dates Candidates Assume Office').

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Jan 4, 2027.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
5
Total speaking time
16:11
Avg per meeting
3:14
Segments
206

Want every word Mendes has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Mendes said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (13)

critical↑Sep 2026[35]

Water Quality and Infrastructure Concerns in Shaver Springs (WWD 40)

Potential costs for system upgrades, filtration infrastructure, or alternative water delivery systems.

high↑Oct 2026[22]

Exclusive Service Area Program (ESAP) Hauler Agreements and Curbside Cleanup

Affects base waste collection rates for unincorporated residents and illegal dumping abatement budgets.

high↑Oct 2026[22]

Plan Year 2027 Health Insurance Premiums and Benefit Plan Changes

Significant cost adjustments for county employees, retirees, and the county health self-funded reserve fund.

high↑Sep 2026[15]

County Facility Capital Projects and Priorities

Estimated capital construction costs total approximately $426 million, requiring long-term debt financing and annual capital contributions.

high↑Oct 2026[15]

Sendero Commons Permanent Supportive Housing Project

Total grant funding exceeds $48 million for housing development in Sanger.

critical↑Oct 2026[12]

Friant Ranch Community Plan Update and Specific Plan

Involves major private development investments and county administrative costs covered by applicant indemnification agreements.

medium↑Oct 2026[5]

school board election

District taxpayers could see shifts in how educational funds and local resources are allocated depending on who wins.

medium↓Sep 2026[5]

Opposition to Potential Library Privatization

high↑Oct 2026[5]

sales tax ballot measure

It keeps your tax rate right where it is while securing a local funding safety net for city roads and services.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

immigrant legal defense fund

The city is putting $1 million of taxpayer money on the line for these legal battles.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

public safety

Taxpayers could see shifts in city spending as Fresno rushes to fund these emergency safety measures and potential extra police staffing.

high↑Oct 2026[5]

development approval

Developers stand to make a fortune, but taxpayers could end up footing the bill later for expensive emergency water fixes.

high↓May 2026[2]

Library Pride Festival Participation and Event Recognition

Negligible impact on county funds, primarily concerning outreach staffing and festival presence.

Decisions during term (122)

Recorded while Mendes was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve Agenda

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve Consent Agenda

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pink Day Proclamation

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Waterworks District No. 40 - Shaver Springs Direction and Expenditure

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Fire and Emergency Services MOU with Fresno County Fire Protection District

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Board Nominations to CSAC and UCC Boards of Directors

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve Plan Year 2027 Health Insurance Premiums

approvedVoted yes4-0Oct 6, 2026

Resolution Amending Project Listing for Road Maintenance Funds

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Exclusive Service Area Program (ESAP) Hauler Agreements Update and Direction

approvedVoted yes5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve Consent Agenda - Item Numbers 21-48

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve minutes for September 22, 2026

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve Certificates of Recognition for the honorees at this year’s Opening Ceremonies for The Big Fresno Fair

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Adjourn in Memory of James "Buddy" Brooks, former Riverdale Joint Unified School District Superintendent and a resident of Riverdale for many years

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute Amendment No. 3 to Legal Services Agreement A-25-255 with McCormick Barstow, LLP for specialized legal services, effective upon execution with no change in the term of December 1, 2023, to…

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to certify a California Office of Emergency Services Designation of Applicant’s Agent Resolution for Non-State Agencies

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve proposed revisions to Administrative Policy 43 - Drug Free Workplace, which will rename the policy to “Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace,” will remove the Policy Provisions section, and authorize the County Administrative Officer or…

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Conduct second hearing to amend and adopt Fresno County Ordinance Code, Title 2, adding Subsection 2.08.090 - Use of County Seal and Logos; and waive reading of Ordinance in its entirety

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Second Amendment to Subrecipient Agreement No. 23-493 with Self-Help Enterprises (SHE), on behalf of Lanare Community Services District, for provision of American Rescue Plan…

approved5-0Oct 6, 2026

Approve and ratify the Department of Behavioral Health Director’s previous submission of Amendment No. 1 to the Application/Agreement (No. D-26-363) with the California Department of Health Care Services for the Projects for Assistance in…

Voting record (66)

64 yes2 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE ACTED ON AS FOLLOWS: 1) DIRECT STAFF TO RECEIVE PROPOSALS REGARDING CURBSIDE CLEANUP SERVICES FOR ONLY URBAN UNINCORPORATED AREAS, NOT RURAL AND MOUNTAIN AREAS, IN ANY SUPERVISORIA

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MEETING BE ADJOURNED FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS AGENDA BE APPROVED, WITH THE REVISION OF ITEM 7.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

TO DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN TO THE BOARD ON OCTOBER 20, 2026, WITH A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM PROVIDING THE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR WATERWORKS DISTRICT NO. 40, INCLUDING EXPEDITING REQUIR

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS REVISED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE ACTED ON AS FOLLOWS: 1) NOMINATE VICE CHAIRMAN CHAVEZ AS MEMBER AND CHAIRMAN BREDEFELD AS ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (CSAC) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Approve Agenda

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Approve Consent Agenda

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pink Day Proclamation

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Waterworks District No. 40 - Shaver Springs Direction and Expenditure

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Fire and Emergency Services MOU with Fresno County Fire Protection District

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Board Nominations to CSAC and UCC Boards of Directors

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Approve Plan Year 2027 Health Insurance Premiums

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Resolution Amending Project Listing for Road Maintenance Funds

Voted yesOct 6, 2026

Exclusive Service Area Program (ESAP) Hauler Agreements Update and Direction

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE MEETING BE ADJOURNED FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION BE APPROVED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS AGENDA BE APPROVED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 21, 22, 23 AND 34.1 WHICH WERE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND SEPARATE VOTE.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THE NOMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS BE APPROVED AS FOLLOWS: CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT LOCAL PLANNING COUNCIL APPOINT MOLLY FAGUNDES-JOHNSTON TO THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY HELD BY GLORIA DE LA CRUZ-PULID

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 21, 22, 23 AND 34.1 WHICH WERE PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND SEPARATE VOTE.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Lease Agreements Amendments for Edison Plaza

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS AGENDA BE APPROVED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 9 WHICH WAS DELETED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 43, WHICH WAS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND SEPARATE VOTE.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION BE APPROVED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE ACTED ON AS FOLLOWS: 1) GRANT APPEAL AND OVERTURN DIRECTOR’S REJECTION OF SUBMITTED GRADING PERMIT AND DETERMINATION THAT LAND USE PERMIT HAS EXPIRED; 2) ADOPT RESOLUTION DETERMINI

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

TO FIND THAT THERE WAS NOT A MAJORITY PROTEST AGAINST SUCH PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE SEWER STANDBY CHARGE ASSESSMENTS, AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROPOSED INCREASES IN THE SEWER STANDBY CHARGE

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THE NOMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENT BE APPROVED AS FOLLOWS: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BOARD APPOINT PHILLIP BROWN TO THE POSITION PREVIOUSLY HELD BY HELEN VUONG (TERM TO EXPIRE 04/01/2029)

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MEETING BE ADJOURNED FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 43, WHICH WAS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION AND SEPARATE VOTE.

Voted yesJun 2, 2026

THAT THIS MATTER BE APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED.