New Council Takes Office

On December 2, 2022, former Hanford Mayor Francisco Ramirez officially left office during a special meeting where newly elected councilmembers Travis Paden, Mark Kairis, and Lou Martinez were sworn into office. During that same meeting, Travis Paden was selected to serve as Mayor.

At the time, the City of Hanford had reported approximately a $4.2 million surplus after years of budget balancing efforts and financial stabilization by the previous council.

The previous council spent years making difficult financial decisions to stabilize the City without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.

The Timeline Raises Questions

Less than 30 days after the new council took office, on January 30, 2023, the Hanford City Council held what was officially listed as a “Regular Meeting” regarding the Helena v. City of Hanford lawsuit.

However, the meeting began at 5:00 p.m., not the traditional 7:00 p.m. regular meeting time when most working residents are usually able to attend and participate in public comment.

Traditionally, regular evening meetings are where councils vote on agenda items after the public has had the opportunity to attend, listen, and speak.

According to publicly available reports from other news organizations, the Helena lawsuit was later settled for approximately $12.5 million.

That is where many residents say the timeline no longer makes sense.

How could a lawsuit that had reportedly been discussed for more than a decade suddenly be settled for approximately $12.5 million less than 30 days after the new council took office?

Former Mayor Ramirez stated that during his seven years in office, there was never any indication presented to him that the City was preparing to settle the Helena lawsuit for that amount.

Now many residents are questioning how a major financial decision involving years of litigation could move so quickly immediately after a council transition.

Study Sessions Changed

Beginning in February 2023, Hanford City Council agendas also began including language stating:

“Study Sessions are considered Special Meetings under the Brown Act.”

Traditionally, study sessions are intended for informational discussions only before the regular evening meeting begins.

But once the City officially classified study sessions as special meetings under the Brown Act, the council also gained the ability to vote on properly noticed agenda items during those earlier meetings.

That change matters.

Most working residents are not available at 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. Many people are still at work, driving home, picking up their children, or handling everyday responsibilities.

Regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. gave the public a real opportunity to attend, hear discussions, question decisions, and make their voices heard before votes happened.

Now many residents are questioning why important discussions and possible votes are happening earlier in the day when far fewer people are able to attend.

Critics argue the change creates a system where the public’s voice is effectively reduced because fewer residents are present to challenge proposals or speak directly to councilmembers before votes take place.

Taxes and Rising Costs

The concerns continue growing as residents face additional financial burdens.

Since that time, residents have already seen the Measure H tax added and trash rates increased. Now Hanford voters are currently deciding whether to approve an additional TOT tax measure.

Many residents are now asking whether these growing financial pressures are connected to the City’s changing financial condition following the reported $12.5 million Helena settlement.

Now many residents feel they are being asked to pay more through taxes, fees, and rate increases while major financial decisions happened shortly after the council transition and during earlier meetings when fewer members of the public were able to attend and speak out.

Bigger Than Politics

For many in the community, this is no longer just about politics.

It is about whether the average resident still has a meaningful voice in local government decisions that directly affect their taxes, utility bills, and cost of living.