Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting

Subscribe Enter your email address below to receive updates related to this item Invalid E-mail Cancel Subscribe Success You will now receive updates related to this item Close Hide Video Show Video --> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD LARRY MICARI District One PETE VANDER POEL District Two AMY SHUKLIAN  – Chair District Three EDDIE VALERO District Four DENNIS TOWNSEND – Vice Chair District Five Board of Supervisors Agenda Minutes JASON T. BRITT County Administrative Officer JENNIFER M. FLORES County Counsel MELINDA BENTON Chief Clerk ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 2800 W. Burrel Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 636-5000 (559) 615-3009 Members Present: Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend SITTING AS THE TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THE TULARE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, AND THE TERRA BELLA SEWER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT March 17, 2026 9:00 AM  Board Convenes Board of Supervisors Chambers 2800 W. Burrel Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. Board of Supervisors matters. 2. Present a proclamation recognizing March 18, 2026 as Public Defense Day in Tulare County. Supervisor Vander Poel presented a proclamation to the Public Defender’s office.  Public Defense Day Proc 3. Present a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month in Tulare County. Vice Chair Townsend presented a proclamation to the Child Welfare Services division. Social Work Month Proc 4. Present a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Trisomy Awareness Month and March 18th as Trisomy 18 Awareness Day in Tulare County. Supervisor Micari presented a proclamation to Denise England. Trisomy Awareness Month Trisomy Awareness Month Proc 5. Public Comments. Public Comments: Lori Rhinebeck; Michael Muehlemann 9:30 A.M. - TIMED ITEMS 6. PUBLIC HEARING: Request from the Resource Management Agency to review and accept the Tulare County 2025 Annual General Plan and Housing Element Report. Review and accept the Tulare County Annual reports on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Community Facilities Districts, and Annual Development Impact Fee Reports. Allow staff to make minor administrative adjustments to the 2025 Annual General Plan and Housing Element Report, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Annual Development/Capital Impact Fee Report. Authorize transmittal of all the reports to the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and California’s Department of Housing and Community Development. Resolution No. 2026-0156 Moved by Larry Micari, seconded by Dennis Townsend to Approved. AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Opened Public Hearing: 9:43 a.m. – No Public Comment – Closed Public Hearing: 9:49 a.m.

Aaron Bock, Asst RMA Director of Planning – Presented a PowerPoint presentation  Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0156 Attachments PowerPoint 7. PUBLIC HEARING: Request from the Resource Management Agency to adopt the findings of approval, as set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. 10403, and approve Zone Change No. PZC 25-009. Adopt the findings of approval, as set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. 10404, and approve Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 25-034. Adopt an ordinance amending Paragraph B of Section 3 of Ordinance No. 352, the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance, for Change of Zone No. PZC 25-009 to change the zone district from the R-A-217 (Rural Residential – 217,000 Square Foot Minimum) to R-A-43 (Rural Residential – 43,000 Square Foot Minimum) for Assessor’s Parcel Number (“APN”): 142-250-060 on property located on the northwest corner of Avenue 245 and Road 216, approximately 4,300 feet north of Lindsay (“Project”). Find that this ordinance by statute can only be passed after notice and a public hearing, so it is exempt from the usual requirements that an ordinance be read in full and adopted over two regular meetings. Direct the Clerk of the Board to publish the full text of the adopted Ordinance and Amended Zoning Map for PZC 25-009, as required by law. Find that the Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines as new residential construction pursuant to Class 3, 14 CCR § 15303 (a). Authorize the Environmental Assessment Officer, or their designee, to file the Notice of Exemption with the Clerk-Recorder and the appropriate state agency. Resolution No. 2026-0157 Moved by Dennis Townsend, seconded by Eddie Valero to Approved. AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Opened Public Hearing: 9:49 a.m. – No Public Comment – Closed Public Hearing: 9:50 a.m.

Aaron Bock, Asst. RMA Director of Planning– Requested to continue the public hearing to a date uncertain. Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0157 Ordinance Attachments CONSENT CALENDAR (Numbers 8 through 31) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC These items are routine and usually approved by one motion. Before action by the Board, the Chair will ask the Board Members and the public if they wish to remove any item from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration. Items removed from the Consent Calendar may be heard immediately before or after the approval of the Consent Calendar, or may be set aside until later in the meeting. Moved by Eddie Valero, seconded by Dennis Townsend to Approved Consent Calendar (Numbers 8 through 31). AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Board of Supervisors 8. Appoint Nathan Hernandez to the School & College Districts Seat on the Tulare County Treasury Oversight Committee for a term ending at the Pleasure of the Board. Resolution No. 2026-0158 Resolution No. 2026-0158 9. Appoint Lieutenant Demecio Holguin to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Seat on the Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness for a term ending at the Pleasure of the Board. Resolution No. 2026-0159 Resolution No. 2026-0159 10. Reappoint MaryLinda Guttierrez to a Member At-Large Seat on the Delta Vector Control District for a term ending January 3, 2028. Resolution No. 2026-0160 Resolution No. 2026-0160 11. Reappoint Rollin Skidgel to a Director Seat on the Tulare County Pest Control District for a term ending April 23, 2029. Resolution No. 2026-0161 Resolution No. 2026-0161 County Administrative Office 12. Ratify Actions by the County Administrative Officer during the months of October, November, and December 2025. Find that the activities funded pursuant to the Good Works Funding Agreements are necessary to meet the social needs of the residents of Tulare County. Resolution No. 2026-0162 Agreement No. 32439; 32440; 32447; 32448; 32449; 32456; 32457; 32458; 32486; 32504; 32505; 32506; 32507; 32524; 32571; 32572; 32573; 32574; 32575; 32578; 32579 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0162 Good Works Agreements County Counsel/Risk Management 13. Authorize the establishment of a trust fund account with the County’s Workers’ Compensation Claim Administrator, Athens Insurance Service, Inc., dba Athens Administrators in accordance with Government Code Section 31000.8. Find that the amount needed to provide for the settlement of claims over a 30-day period is $1,000,000. Authorize Risk Management to replenish the fund as its balance becomes depleted. Resolution No. 2026-0163 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0163 General Services Agency 14. Approve an amendment to Agreement No. 32314 with Doug Ross, Inc. DBA Central Valley Asphalt, for the Visalia Courthouse Paving Project, increasing the amount by $355,954.86 from $2,166,381 to $2,522,335.86 to account for Project Change Orders. Resolution No. 2026-0164 Agreement No. 32314-B Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0164 32314-B.Doug Ross, Inc. DBA Central Valley Asphalt 15. Approve an amendment to Agreement No. 30611 with Chas Rhoads Architecture, for the Tulare County Public Health Lab Project, increasing the amount by $2,500 from $343,870 to $346,370 to account for additional scope of work. Resolution No. 2026-0165 Agreement No. 30611-D Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0165 30611-D.Charles A. Rhoads Health & Human Services Agency 16. Approve an agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority to purchase Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification Program-related items, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, retroactive from September 22, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Resolution No. 2026-0166 Agreement No. 32682 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0166 32682.California Mental Health Services Authority 17. Approve an agreement with Central Valley Recovery Services, Inc. for the provision of treatment programs for non-violent drug offenders as an alternative to incarceration, in an amount not to exceed $416,381, retroactive from October 31, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Approve the necessary budget adjustments (4/5ths vote required). Resolution No. 2026-0167 Agreement No. 32683 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0167 32683.Central Valley Recovery Services, Inc. AUD 308 18. Approve an agreement with Family Services of Tulare County for the provision of domestic violence services to TulareWORKs clients, in an amount not to exceed $72,000, retroactive from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Resolution No. 2026-0168 Agreement No. 32684 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0168 32684.Family Services of Tulare County 19. Approve an agreement with Sylmar Health & Rehabilitation Center, Inc., for the provision of skilled psychiatric nursing services, in an amount not to exceed $2,600,000, retroactive from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Resolution No. 2026-0169 Agreement No. 32685 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0169 32685.Sylmar Health and Rehabilitation Center Inc. 20. Approve an agreement with Kings View to provide Behavioral Health services to the County of Tulare’s homeless population, in an amount not to exceed $1,019,776, retroactive from July 1, 2025, through May 31, 2027. Resolution No. 2026-0170 Agreement No. 32686 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0170 32686.Kings View 21. Approve an agreement with California Psychiatric Transitions Incorporated for the provision of basic mental health rehabilitation services, in an amount not to exceed $6,600,000, retroactive from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Resolution No. 2026-0171 Agreement No. 32687 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0171 32687.California Psychiatric Transitions Incorporated 22. Authorize the Behavioral Health Branch Director, or designee, to execute placement-specific Letters of Commitment between the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Branch and qualified residential treatment providers, as necessary to ensure access to residential substance use disorder treatment services. Authorize the Behavioral Health Branch Director, or designee, to approve payments for services provided pursuant to approved Letters of Commitment, including retroactive invoices to June 1, 2025, consistent with Medi-Cal reimbursement requirements. Resolution No. 2026-0172 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0172 Information & Communications Technology 23. Approve an Agreement with The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the University of California, San Diego to provide camera network site access, retroactive from January 30, 2026 through April 30, 2028. Resolution No. 2026-0173 Agreement No. 32688 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0173 32688.University of California San Diego 24. Approve a Capital Asset purchase of network data telecommunications equipment for the County, in an amount not to exceed $27,100. Approve the necessary budget adjustments (4/5ths vote required). Resolution No. 2026-0174 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0174 AUD 308 Attachment 25. Authorize the renewal of a purchase with the California Department of Technology for the acquisition of Microsoft 365 GCC Licensing, in an amount not to exceed $14,920,186, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. Resolution No. 2026-0175 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0175 Attachment Public Defender 26. Terminate Agreement No. 32078 with The State Bar of California, effective March 17, 2026. Approve an agreement with The State Bar of California for Public Defender Care Court Funding in an amount not to exceed $188,599, retroactive from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. Authorize the necessary budget adjustments (4/5ths vote required). Resolution No. 2026-0176 Agreement No. 32689 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0176 32689.The State Bar of California AUD 308 Resource Management Agency 27. Approve the Plans, Special Provisions, Proposal, and Contract (“Bid Documents”) for construction of the Road 67 Operational Improvements Project in the unincorporated community of Goshen. Approve a Public Interest Finding for procurement of traffic signal equipment and street light poles for construction of the Road 67 Operational Improvements Project and authorize the Director of the Resource Management Agency, or designee, to execute the Public Interest Finding. Approve the advertisement for bids for the Road 67 Operational Improvements Project. Approve the attached AUD 308 form establishing a budget for procurement of traffic signal equipment and street light poles (4/5ths vote required). Resolution No. 2026-0177 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0177 Plans AUD 308 Attachments 28. Approve the Plans, Special Provisions, Proposal and Contract (“Bid Documents”) for construction of the Earlimart Interceptor Sewer Project. Approve the advertisement for bids of the Earlimart Interceptor Sewer Project. Find that the Project remains exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines as replacement and reconstruction of an existing utility distribution system pursuant to Class 2, 14 CCR § 15302 pursuant to the Notice of Exemption prepared and filed by the Earlimart Public Utility District on May 24, 2023. Authorize the Environmental Assessment Officer, or designee, to sign and file a letter of affirmation for the Earlimart Public Utility District Notice of Exemption with the Clerk-Recorder and appropriate state agency. Resolution No. 2026-0178 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0178 Plans Attachment 29. Find that the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 12 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Class 1 (Existing Facilities), Section 15301(c), and is included in the County’s list of activities specifically exempted from CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15300.4 (14 CCR 15300.4). Authorize the Environmental Assessment Officer, or designee, to sign and file the Notice of Exemption with the Clerk-Recorder and the appropriate state agency. Resolution No. 2026-0179 Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0179 Attachments 30. Approve an amendment to Agreement No. 30345 with 4 Creeks Inc. to increase the amount by $397,261.68 to provide engineering services for the Avenue 280 Widening Project-Segment 2, near Visalia, in an amount not to exceed $2,137,573.96. Resolution No. 2026-0180 Agreement No. 30345-B Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0180 30345-B.4 Creeks Inc. Attachment Sheriff/Coroner 31. Approve an amendment to Agreement No. 30680 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide law enforcement services at Lake Kaweah Recreation Areas by increasing the total amount of the contract by $68,402.20 from $254,291.96 to $322,700.16, and extending the service term an additional 12-month period effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Resolution No. 2026-0181 Agreement No. 30680-D Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0181 30680-D.U. S. Army Corps of Engineers ITEMS NOT TIMED Items not specifically timed may be taken in any order 32. Request from the Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association to take action on one of the following options regarding employer and employee retirement contribution rates: Option 1: Approve implementation of the employer and employee retirement contribution rates from the Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association Actuarial Valuation Report dated June 30, 2025, as approved by the Board of Retirement on December 10, 2025 and direct that the rates be adjusted effective with the pay period of the fiscal year that includes July 1, 2026 (2026 pay period 15). OR Option 2: Approve implementation of employer and employee retirement contribution rates from the Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association Actuarial Valuation Report dated June 30, 2025, as approved by the Board of Retirement on December 10, 2025, and direct that the rates be adjusted “not later than 90 days after the beginning of the immediately succeeding fiscal year” as permitted under California Government Code Section 31454. The changes to the employer and employee contribution rates could be delayed until 2026 pay period 21, the last pay period before the end of the 90-day limit. Resolution No. 2026-0182 Moved by Pete Vander Poel, seconded by Dennis Townsend to Approved Option 1. AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Leanne Malison, Retirement Administrator – Staff presentation

No public comment Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0182 Attachment 33. Request from the Resource Management Agency to receive a presentation on the Thriving Communities Program on behalf of the Thriving Pixley Alliance Coalition. ADJOURN AS THE TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND CONVENE AS THE TULARE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT Michael Washam, Associate RMA Director and April Rai, President & CEO COMTO – Presented a PowerPoint presentation

No public comment Agenda Item Resolution PowerPoint 34. Request from the Resource Management Agency to introduce an ordinance authorizing the County Purchasing Agent to approve and let contracts for public projects on behalf of the Tulare County Flood Control District in accordance with the limits of the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, authorizing the Tulare County Director of Emergency Services to procure goods and services during an emergency, and authorizing the Tulare County Resource Management Agency to procure certain interests in real property. Approve a resolution electing to become subject to the uniform public construction cost accounting procedures set forth in the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. Find that the title of the ordinance was included on the published agenda, and that a copy of the full ordinance was made available to the public online and in print at the meeting before the ordinance was introduced. Set the adoption of the Ordinance for March 31, 2026. ADJOURN AS THE TULARE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND RECONVENE AS THE TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Resolution No. FC 2026-01; FC 2026-02 Moved by Larry Micari, seconded by Eddie Valero to Approved. AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Denise England, Grants and Resource Manager – Staff presentation

No public comment.  Agenda Item Resolution No. FC 2026-01 Resolution No. FC 2026-02 Ordinance 35. Request from the County Administrative Office to receive the Mid-Year Budget Report for FY 2025/26. ADJOURN AS THE TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND CONVENE AS THE TERRA BELLA SEWER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT Approve the proposed schedule for preparation and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a rollover budget as the operating budget for the period between July 1, 2026, and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget (4/5ths vote required). ADJOURN AS THE TERRA BELLA SEWER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT AND CONVENE AS THE TULARE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT Approve the proposed schedule for preparation and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a rollover budget as the operating budget for the period between July 1, 2026, and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget (4/5ths vote required). ADJOURN AS THE TULARE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND RECONVENE AS THE TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Approve the proposed schedule for preparation and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a rollover budget as the operating budget (including the Capital Projects budget) for the period between July 1, 2026, and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget (4/5ths vote required). Adopt the personnel resolution to amend the required job specifications, class designations proposed in the Mid-Year Budget Report subject to completion of meet and advise. Approve the capital asset purchase list. Approve recognition and usage of unanticipated revenues from FY 2025/26 Interest, and increased appropriations in the amount of $3.25 million. The unanticipated revenues will be used to cover unforeseen medical malpractice premium increases and litigation. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, with the concurrence of the County Administrative Officer, to process any budget adjustments proposed in the Mid-Year Budget Report (4/5ths vote required). Resolution No. TBS 2026-01; FC 2026-03; 2026-0183; 2026-0184 Moved by Dennis Townsend, seconded by Larry Micari to Sitting as the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District: Approved the proposed schedule for preparation and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a rollover budget as the operating budget for the period between July 1, 2026, and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget (4/5ths vote required). AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Moved by Eddie Valero, seconded by Dennis Townsend to Sitting as the Tulare County Flood Control District: Approved the proposed schedule for preparation and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a rollover budget as the operating budget for the period between July 1, 2026, and adoption of the FY 2026/27 budget (4/5ths vote required). AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Moved by Pete Vander Poel, seconded by Eddie Valero to Sitting as the Tulare County Board of Supervisors: Approved items #1 through #6. AYES:  Larry Micari, Pete Vander Poel, Amy Shuklian, Eddie Valero, Dennis Townsend Final Result:  5 – 0 Passed Jason Britt, CAO – Presented a PowerPoint presentation. Agenda Item Resolution No. 2026-0183 Resolution No. 2026-0184 Resolution No. TBS 2026-01 Resolution No. FC 2026-03 AUD 308 MId-Year Budget Report FY 2025-26 Class Specifications and Designations Capital Asset Purchase List PowerPoint CLOSED SESSION NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CLOSED SESSION As provided in the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code sections 54950 et seq., the Board of Supervisors may meet in closed session with its attorneys, county staff, and consultants. These sessions are not open to the public and may not be attended by members of the public.  The matters the Board will meet on in closed session are identified below, or are those matters appropriately identified in open session as requiring immediate attention and arising after the posting of the Agenda.  Any public reports of action taken in closed session will be made in accordance with Government Code section 54957.1. It is the intention of the Board to meet in closed session concerning: Sitting as the Tulare County Board of Supervisors ITEM A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Number of Potential Cases: 1 Please see today’s agenda item pertaining to the Request from the Resource Management Agency to review and accept the Tulare County 2025 Annual General Plan and Housing Element Report and Authorize transmittal of the reports to the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and California’s Department of Housing and Community Development. OFF AGENDA ITEM B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Number of Potential Cases: 1 Please see today’s agenda item on Amendment to the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance No. 352 for Zone Change No. 25-009 (Espinoza). OFF AGENDA ITEM C CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)) Number of Potential Cases: 1 Javiann Vazquez-Nunez et al., Applications for Leave to Present Late Claim ITEM D CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54956.8) Property Description: 3247 W. Noble Ave., Visalia, California 93277 Agency Negotiators: Brooke Sisk, Laura Crawford, Jacalynn Wells Negotiating Party or Parties: Center Drive Partners, LP Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment ITEM E CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: Lupe Garza and Shelline K. Bennett Employee Organizations: All Certified Employee Organizations Unrepresented Employees: All Unrepresented Employees. **NO ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION**

10:39 a.m.       Convened to Closed Session

11:04 a.m.       Adjourned to March 24, 2026 Attachments