Clovis is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Here's a snapshot of how we're doing today: Clovis remains the safest city in the San Joaquin Valley. Nationally, we ranked 52nd in livability out of 2,000 cities. Retirement Living placed Clovis 3rd statewide for retirees. Niche gave the city an overall A– rating and awarded Clovis Unified School District an A+. Clovis was also ranked as the 20th safest city statewide — the only city in the valley to make the list.
These accomplishments reflect a well-run city with safe neighborhoods, strong economic opportunities, reasonable housing options, access to varied health care, and one of the best school districts in the state. Clovis is also known for the Clovis Rodeo, Old Town Clovis with its seasonal farmers markets and events, and the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, which continues to serve our veterans and hosts important community functions.
Clovis has transformed dramatically over the years. When I moved here in 1984, we were a small agricultural community of roughly 35,000 residents. Today, our population exceeds 131,000, and city limits have grown from about 11 square miles to over 27. Many long-time residents remember sheep grazing across from Jefferson Elementary, the horse stable on Tollhouse Road where Anlin Windows now stands, and Clovis and Herndon as a three-way stop — with farmland stretching north as far as the eye could see.
These successes didn't happen by accident. They came from decades of thoughtful planning, dedicated public servants, and engaged citizens. In city government, the decisions we make often take years to come to fruition — much like planting trees whose shade future generations will enjoy.
Why has Clovis been so successful? First, our citizens take pride in their neighborhoods, are involved in their schools, and care deeply about their community.
Next, we hire exceptional employees. As someone who joined the Clovis Police Department in 1987, I witnessed firsthand the "extra-mile" culture we built. I've worked in places where "that's not my job" was the response — Clovis has never operated that way.
Clovis also uses a city council model where members serve part-time while holding full-time professions — doctors, attorneys, health care workers, tradespeople, and a handful of police chiefs, including myself. We run without party affiliation and serve at the pleasure of our citizens. Over the years, some councilmembers have pursued higher office, but our shared focus has always remained local service. Personally, while I briefly considered higher office, I would miss time away from my wife and my garden and hummingbirds need me.
Historically, Clovis elected councilmembers "at-large," meaning every councilmember represented the entire city. This allowed residents to reach out to any councilmember for help and ensured we prioritized both neighborhood and city-wide issues. This November, we will hold our first district-based election, and I am running in District 5, which covers northwest Clovis. I am confident the council will continue focusing on what's best for the community as a whole, but we must stay vigilant and speak up if that guiding philosophy is ever threatened.
When I was a captain at Clovis PD in 2005, we had 113 sworn officers. The recession forced reductions across all departments, and by 2011 we were down to 93 — a difficult period for our public safety teams. When I ran for office in 2017, one of my goals was to rebuild the police department. Thanks to the passage of Measure Y in 2024, we now have 141 officers. The Clovis Fire Department — which holds the prestigious ISO Class 2 rating — has also increased staffing, adding seven personnel to support our six fire stations. This matters. Families choose Clovis because they trust that when they call 9-1-1, help arrives quickly. Maintaining a five-minute emergency response time is one of the most vital services any city can provide.
Generations of Clovis residents — maybe one day we'll settle on a name, perhaps Clovisians — built the community we enjoy today. But we do face future challenges. We must manage growth in population, business, and housing while navigating state housing mandates, loss of local control to Sacramento, and rising municipal costs. Requirements such as transitioning to fully electric fleets, including buses and heavy-duty vehicles, present significant financial hurdles. Rising retirement system costs, driven by investment performance and politically motivated investment strategies and restrictions, also impact long-term planning. We are currently engaged in a comprehensive General Plan update, and public participation is still welcome. Details are available on the City website.
I am confident that if we stay focused on the present and maintain a shared vision for the future, Clovis in 2050 will be everything it is today — and even more.
— Drew BessingerCouncilmember · Candidate, Clovis City Council District 5