DATE: 5/9/2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steve Brandau, Supervisor District 2
SUBJECT: Amendment to County Ordinance Code, Title 13 regarding flags permitted to be flown at County Facilities
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Conduct first hearing and take action to:
1. Approve proposed Ordinance amending the Ordinance Code, Title 13 of The County of Fresno by amending Chapter 13.24 (Grounds and Buildings) to add 13.24.050 - Flags permitted to be flown at County Facilities.
2. Set the second hearing for May 23, 2023 and waive reading of the Ordinance in its entirety;
3. Designate County Counsel to prepare a fair and adequate summary of the proposed Ordinance; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to post and publish the required summary in accordance with Government Code, Section 25124(b)(1).
REPORT
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to adopt the ordinance amendment, or modify the ordinance as written.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
DISCUSSION:
There have been increasing numbers of controversies over specialty flags being flown at government facilities at both the local, state, and national level. Some agencies have been accused of promoting divisive and ideologically motivated speech on public property. Other agencies have been put in the unenviable role of picking and choosing winners among potential flag raising events.
An incident has yet to occur at a Fresno County facility, but the County does not have a formal flag policy in place. It is recommended that your Board update Title 13.24 (Grounds and Buildings) of the County Ordinance Code to include rules that limit permitted flags to those of the United States and the State of California. This ordinance would apply only to the official flag poles at County owned or leased facilities.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A - Proposed Amendment to Title 13
Summary of Ordinance
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino