Avenal City Leaders Face Recall Election Amid Collapse Concerns

Residents accuse city officials of mismanagement and putting public safety at risk.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:18am

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A group of Avenal, California residents are leading a recall effort against the city's mayor and three council members, citing a series of controversial decisions that have allegedly put public safety at risk and led to the collapse of key municipal services like the fire department and ambulance. The recall election is scheduled for April 28, with organizers racing to convince voters to oust the current leadership.

Why it matters

The Avenal recall election highlights growing tensions between city officials and residents over issues of public safety, transparency, and the role of local government. The outcome could have significant implications for the small Central Valley community, potentially leading to a complete overhaul of city leadership.

The details

Recall organizers say their effort began in June 2025 when city leaders pushed to replace professional firefighters with volunteers and end the city's fire contract with Kings County. They claim officials have made a series of questionable decisions without community input, including allowing an unsafe youth boxing tournament in an unfinished building that led to the county terminating the fire contract. Now, Avenal no longer has a fire department or ambulance service, according to the organizers.

  • The recall effort started in June 2025.
  • The recall election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

The players

Dalila Barajas

A recall organizer who says the effort began when city leaders started making changes to public safety services without community input.

Kelly Guzman

A volunteer with the recall campaign who says the city leadership has shown a "total lack of respect" for the community.

Antony Lopez

The Avenal city manager, who dismisses the recall as a "knee-jerk reaction" supported by the county supervisor.

Alvaro Preciado

The mayor of Avenal, who is threatening legal action against recall supporters for "accusing and defaming" him and other city officials.

Richard Valle

The Kings County supervisor, who the city manager claims is unhappy with the "progressive leanings" of Avenal's leadership and supporting the recall effort.

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What they’re saying

“They were just making all these changes about the safety of Avenal without telling anybody.”

— Kelly Guzman, Recall Campaign Volunteer

“Now, we do not have a fire department. The latest news that I received is we no longer have an ambulance out here either. It seems like our city is collapsing little by little.”

— Dalila Barajas, Recall Organizer

“I think it is a knee-jerk reaction from some residents, supported by the county, specifically Supervisor Richard Valle, who was unhappy with some of the decisions and the progressive leanings of this community.”

— Antony Lopez, Avenal City Manager

“They better be careful because they are exposing themselves to legal litigation by accusing and defaming the mayor, council, and city staff.”

— Alvaro Preciado, Mayor of Avenal

What’s next

The recall election for Avenal's mayor and three council members is slated for Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Voters in the city will decide whether to remove the current leadership from office.

The takeaway

The Avenal recall election reflects a growing divide between city officials and residents over issues of public safety, transparency, and the role of local government. The outcome could have significant implications for the small Central Valley community, potentially leading to a complete overhaul of city leadership if the recall effort is successful.