Here’s what you need to know:

  • At the August 16, 2022 meeting, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved 25 items on the consent calendar, including three ARPA funded projects in Tipton, which Supervisor Vander Poel said was the largest investment in the town’s history. The projects include a $1.7 million well project, $500,000 water line replacement and $296,000 wastewater treatment plan improvement project. 
  • A representative from Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability requested for Item 23 to be pulled from the consent agenda because she said the board should have provided a 30-day public comment period. She was concerned that the changes to the Tule Sub-basin coordination agreement would impact Tooleville, which she said relies on groundwater. 
  • Lauren Brant of Public Financial Management gave a presentation on the annual report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program. Compared to last year, it is slightly lower due to rising interest rates. As of June 30th, the Millennium Fund has a market value of $55.8 million.
  • The supervisors approved the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2022/23 – 2026/27 and the General Services Agency’s request to withdraw $3 million of the $3.5 million maximum limit from the Millennium Fund. The total budget is $126,367,854.

Follow up Questions

  • Did the people of Tooleville receive proper notice of any changes to their groundwater if they were affected by the updated GSA plans?
  • Why did the county not withdraw the maximum amount from the Millennium Fund? Could that money have been used for other projects?

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 9 a.m. on August 16, 2022. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Earlier he attended an agenda review, was in a welcome video for the Assist to Own program, TCAG meeting, Tulare County Transportation Authority, a special LAFCO meeting, and the city council interviews in Porterville.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Earlier was the Exeter Chamber annual meeting, Visalia Chamber summer business after hours mixer, Summer Night Lights, Lindsay Police Department and Fire Department pancake breakfast, meet and greet with Visalia’s Mayor Steven Nelson, VUSD convocation, volunteered with the U.S. Forest Service, a meeting with the District Attorney Tim Ward, LAFCO, and a TCAG meeting.
      • Upcoming is a meeting with the HHSA directors, a consulting group conference call, and volunteering at the St. Anthony celebration.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week she attended the meet and greet with Mayor Steven Nelson, a convocation for VUSD, Chamber of Commerce mixer, Health Advisory meeting, and a public art selection meeting.
      • Upcoming is an Animal Services Advisory meeting, TCAG, Homeless Task Force, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District meeting.
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week was a LAFCO, TCAG, Greater Kaweah GSA meeting, and he met with the Tulare Union School District administration.
      • Upcoming are some meetings with constituents.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week he helped seek funding for Monson-Sultana Elementary, met with the Superintendent of Monson-Sultana, Visalia Unified convocation, and attended the public arts committee meeting, 
      • Upcoming is a 9/11 memorial at Fire Station 4 in Cutler, Three Rivers Town Hall, meeting with GSA, Mineral King Parks Association meeting, California Volunteers Advisory Board meeting, rawhide event, Dinuba Chamber mixer, and he will be competing in Dancing with the Stars: Young Lives Edition.
  • Approved the Consent Calendar
    • Supervisor Vander Poel highlighted that Items 24, 25, 26 are ARPA funded projects in Tipton and may be the largest investment in infrastructure in the town’s history.
    • Elvia with the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability asked for Item 23 to be pulled for consideration. Item 23: Ratify and approve an amendment to the Tule Sub-basin Coordination Agreement with the Eastern Tule, Tri County Water Authority, Pixley Irrigation District, Lower Tule Irrigation District, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District, and Alpaugh Groundwater Sustainability Agencies for the coordination of Groundwater Sustainability Plans in the Tule Sub-basin effective when all parties sign the agreement.
      • Staff said that GSAs in Tulare had to update their groundwater sustainability plans to align with state department revisions as well as updating the coordination agreements. This was ratified in July. Item 23 ratifies and approves that amendment.
      • Elvia explained how the community relies on groundwater. The council should have provided a 30-day period that allows the public to comment. Staff replied that this is not the basin Tooleville is in. The county is the only party in this agreement. The GSAs provided notices for their GSP updates.
      • Approved. 
    • The remainder of the consent calendar was approved.
  • At the request from the County Administrative Office, the supervisors received a presentation by the Public Financial Management, Asset Management LLC (“PFM”) regarding the Annual Report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program, which was accepted.
    • Jason Britt introduced Lauren Brant who gave the presentation. Managing director.
    • Background
      • In 1999 the county issued $45 million of taxable variable-rate demand bonds (VRDB’s). In 2006 the county refunded the original issue with a private placement. This established the borrowing rate of 1.96% as of July 1, 2022.
    • As of this April, the value of the bonds is $54.1 million. The county received an annual settlement payment of $5.09 million.
      • Slightly lower than last year due to rising interest rates
      • The county withdrew $3.5 million
      • The earnings rate continues to exceed the borrowing rate.
      • The program’s market value exceeds the outstanding principal.
    • To combat inflation the Federal Reserve began increasing interest rates from 0% to about 2.5%.
    • As of June 30, the Millennium Fund has a market value of $55.8 million. The average maturity is 2.08 years. 
      • 50% is invested in Federal Agency obligations, 34% in corporate notes/bonds, 8% in commercial paper, 6% in money market fund/cash, and 2% in U.S. Treasuries.
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked about the county’s withdrawal limit and why they only withdrew $2.5 million. Britt said he doesn’t know why they did in those years but this year they plan on taking less because they don’t need the full amount. 
    • Supervisor Vander Poel asked about typical positive earning spreads. Brant said in 2008/09 they had about 0.3-0.35%. The 16 base points is because of rising interest rates. 
    • Approved
  • Approved the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2022/23 – 2026/27. Authorized the submittal of a request to draw down $3 million from the Tulare County Millennium Fund Program.
    • Brooke Sisk and Kyle Taylor, deputy director GSA, gave the presentation.
    • Sources of funding are county departments, County General Fund, Millennium Fund, state and federal agencies, and ARPA. They are requesting $3 million from the Millennium Fund instead of the maximum $3.5 million. The total expenditures for fiscal year 2021/22 was $20 million in capital projects.
    • Some projects in progress are the Tulare County Health Clinic, County Administrative Office/Board of Supervisors remodel, and Emergency Dispatch relocation.
    • Some of the five year CIP includes interior and exterior of the juvenile detention center, demolition of jail, relocation of Porterville substation, and a gun range.
      • Some projects in progress are the Dinuba library remodel, paving at Bartlett Park, Alpaugh Park restroom improvements, and remodeling the auditor-controller/treasurer office.
      • The total budget is $126,367,854
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked who the probation building is occupied by.
      • Administration, the adult division, the juvenile division, and connections as well as some partners are in the probation building.
    • Approved
  • Board matter requests
    • Supervisor Shuklian requested an events calendar on the board website.

Public Comment

  • Fire Chief Charlie Norman gave an update on the Wishon fire. They received a lot of air support from Cal Fire. There are a few areas of concern in the northeast and northwest. The fire is currently about 350 acres at 5% containment. Supervisor Townsend asked if they knew the ignition source. Chief Norman said it is still under investigation.

The meeting adjourned to a closed session to discuss five items. 

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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