Here’s what you need to know:

  • The supervisors approved the county’s ARPA Final Recovery Plan allocating $90.6 million. The final plan decreased funding for museums and public health measures and increased funding to homelessness projects, radio towers and park improvement projects.
  • Delinquent fees in Tulare County Service Areas No. 1, No.2, and the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District will be added to the property tax payroll to cover the cost of maintenance and operation costs.
  • A presentation on the Economic Impact Analysis of Great Wolf Lodge showed that rebates from the Transient Occupancy Tax will step down in five year increments over 15 years. The project is estimated to bring an annual of 995 direct construction jobs.

Follow-up questions:

  • For the County of Tulare American Rescue Plan Act Final Recovery Plan, what aspects of premium pay and infrastructure were increased/decreased?
  • Were delinquent fees added to the property tax roll in previous years? If so, are there any changes to the policy this year?

Board of Supervisors

  • Larry Micari, District One
  • Pete Vander Poel III, District Two
  • Amy Shuklian, District Three
  • Eddie Valero – Chairman, District Four
  • Dennis Townsend – Vice Chair, District Five
  • Jason T. Britt, County Administrative Officer
  • Jennifer M. Flores, County Council
  • Melinda Benton, Chief Clerk

The Scene

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting was held simultaneously both in-person and streamed via YouTube and Zoom at 6 p.m. on July 26, 2022. Closed session began at 4 p.m. The open session meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Supervisor Vander Poel was absent but joined later.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week he attended Camp Nelson Town Hall, a solid waste meeting, and a noise ordinance checkup.
      • Upcoming is a Government Affairs Committee meeting, Tule River Economic Development Corporation, a ceremony honoring firefighters Captain Ramon Figueroa Patrick Jones, and a registrar of voters check in
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week was the Strathmore Public Utilities District meeting, AG Advisory Committee meeting, the Visalia Chamber State of the County, San Joaquin Interest Valley Authority, East Kaweah GSA, and a social host ordinance meeting.
      • Upcoming is a tour of Cutler Park and a registrar of voters meeting.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week was the Visalia Chamber State of the County, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority meeting, met with Ted Smalley form TCAG, and a meeting with the IT Director and GSA Director
      • Upcoming is a Tulare County Economic Development Corporation meeting, judging nominees for Innovations by Design, and a press conference with the President of Lions International. 
      • Shuklian said during the moment of silence she prayed for Cam Hamilton (Porterville City Councilman) and Michael Alvarez (photojournalist).
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week he was in Denver for NACo.
      • Upcoming is a Sequoia Yosemite RCDC Executive and full meeting, a meeting in Ivanhoe about the Road 160 project, and a Goshen Town Hall.
  • The consent calendar was approved
  • Request from the County Administrative Office to approve the County of Tulare American Rescue Plan Act Final Recovery Plan for the usage of $90,552,914 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds received to support the County in responding to the economic and public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approve all budgetary and accounting transactions necessary to process transfers and reimbursements to cover the costs for Fiscal Years 2022/2023 through 2023/2024. Authorize the County Administrative Officer to make adjustments to the County of Tulare American Rescue Plan Act Final Recovery Plan projects and programs up to 5% of each expenditure category. 
    • Jason Britt presented the request
    • Funds for ARPA may be used for 4 purposes 
      • To respond to a public health emergency
      • To respond to essential workers during Covid-19
      • For the provision of government services due to revenue reduction caused by Covid-19
      • To make necessary investments to water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure
    • Approved August 24, 2021
      • The first tranche in the amount of $45,276,457 was received in June 2021. The second tranche in the amount of $45,276,457 was received in July 2022.
    • On January 6, 2022 the Final Rule was adopted. The County’s final recovery plan incorporates these changes. Up to $10 million may be used for replacing Lost Public Sector Revenue. The plan must also be published and submitted to the US Department of Treasury by July 31 every year.
    • Changes
      • Public Health $24,851,760
        • Decreased funding for vaccine administration, air purifiers, and quarantine measures
      • Negative Economic Impacts $9,813,972
        • Increased funding for homlessness projects
        • Decreased funding for museums, memorial districts, and CSDs.
      • Public Health $21,840,069
        • Increased funding for payroll for TCSO staff
      • Premium Pay $6,520,000
      • Infrastructure $13,808,000
      • Revenue Replacement $9,944,600
        • Increased funding for radio towers, Assessors Electronic Records Scanning project, and park improvement projects
      • Administrative $3,774,513
        • Increased funding for ARPA administration
    • The projects for the Lindsay TulareWorks building and the Agricultural Commissioner building were deleted.
    • Supervisor Townsend asked about infrastructure. Britt said they are mostly water projects. Money given to hospitals is in addition to what was given for Covid.
      • Supervisor Vander Poel joined during this item and expressed his support for this plan.
    • Approved
  • Items 3 and 4 were presented at the same time. During Item 3 the Tulare County Board of Supervisors served as the Board and for Item 4 as the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District. Item 3: Request from the Resource Management Agency (RMA) to consider placement of delinquent water and sewer service fees, delinquent penalties, and Auditor’s collection charges for County Service Areas No. 1 and No. 2 on the 2022/2023 tax roll. Direct staff to record delinquent sewer and water service fees, delinquent penalties, and the Auditor’s collection charges as liens on the respective parcels if still delinquent after July 29, 2022. Item 4: Request from the RMA to consider placement of delinquent sewer service fees, delinquent penalties, and Auditor’s collection charges for the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District, on the 2022/2023 tax roll. Direct staff to record delinquent sewer service fees, delinquent penalties, and the Auditor’s collection charges as liens on the respective parcels if still delinquent after July 29, 2022.
    • Sherman Diggs presented the request.
    • Delinquent fees will be put on the property tax roll to cover maintenance and operation costs.
    • Customers with balances due were mailed multiple notices of these updates. Payment deadline is on July 29 and the delinquent customer list will be sent to the Auditor’s Office on August 10, 2022
    • Currently there are 260 customers who have delinquent balances. 
      • Additional service charges are Auditor fees and a 10% penalty.
  • Both items were approved
  • Request from the RMA to receive the Economic Impact Analysis showing the economic benefit that the Great Wolf Resort will bring to Tulare County. Approve the Economic Incentives Agreement by and between the County of Tulare and Great Wolf Resort. Direct the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector to receive and pay the transient occupancy taxes and deferred impact fees pursuant to Economic Incentives Agreement.
    • Mike Washam introduced the request. Tom Martin and Bryson Heezen gave the presentation.
    • Heezen, Director of Development of Great Wolf Resort, said there were no changes but was available for questions. 
    • Tom Martens, Vice President of Economic & Planning Services, explained the fiscal and economic impacts.
      • Fiscal Impact
        • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue will be paid by the guests to provide the funds for rebate between great wolf and the County.
          • Rebate steps down in 5 year increments over 15 years. 100% of TOT generated will be rebated to Great Wolf during the first 5 years. 75% of TOT during years 6-10 will be rebated to Great Wolf and 25% staying with the County. During years 11-15 TOT will be split with 50% rebated to Great Wolf and 50% remaining with the County. After 15 years 100% of the TOT revenues will remain with the County.
      • Economic impacts
        • Direct effects of this project are construction costs, employing workers, and buying supplies.
          • It is estimated to have an annual of 995 direct construction jobs and 260 indirect and induced jobs.
        • The indirect effects are business-to-business spending.
        • The induced effects are the result of what workers spend from the wages they earn.
          • Visitor sending is estimated to support 227 direct jobs, 28 indirect jobs, and 22 induced jobs annually.
      • Visitor Spending
        • City of Visalia will see the most amount of off-site visitor spending
        • Incorporated and unincorporated areas are estimated to have similar sales volumes
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked how true to the numbers these estimations are. Martens said the Manteca location exceeded expectations. 
    • Public Comment
      • Elvia spoke about droughts and is concerned about how County residents will be impacted by this project.
        • Washam said water used for the park is less than water used for AG.
    • Approved
  • There were no Board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Damien Norman Remus, resident of Visalia, asked for the removal of touch screen voting machines because they are subject to hacking. He cites an article by Alex Halderman in which he said paper ballots are the most secure. He believes touch screen voting machines should be only available to people with disabilities. 
    • Rob Huntington Graves Jr. was also against the voting machines. He was also against ballot boxes.
  • Denesh Daran, resident of Porterville, asked to speak to the Board about an email he sent earlier. Supervisor Valero said this matter would need to be referred to the County council. Daran said if it gets to that point it would be extremely public and newsworthy.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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