County News 2010

Board Chairman Steve Worthley has been appointed by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to represent the County on the Upper Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Authority. The Board took the action to join the Water Management Authority as a full voting member at its April 6 meeting, and gave approval to pay $7,000 in dues initially and to commit to annual dues of $5,000 for six years.

Tulare County leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. in February, 2010 to meet with members of Congress and federal officials seeking support for public safety needs, to expand Tulare County's anti-gang initiative, advocate for flood control projects, rural water system improvements and transportation needs.

Following meetings with Tulare County Supervisors, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer forwarded several County appropriations requests to Senate appropriations subcommittees.

Debra Olvera has been appointed Director of Tulare County Child Support Services by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. Olvera was selected by the Board on Tuesday, April 6, from a field of more than 150 applicants who responded to a statewide recruitment.

Rita A. Woodard, Tulare County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, would like to remind tax payers that the second Installment of secured property taxes is now due.

The second installment delinquent date is April 12, 2010.  If your payment is not received or postmarked by the delinquent date, a 10% penalty and a $10 cost will be added to your property tax bill.  Also, per California state law, the second installment payment cannot be collected until the first installment is paid.

United Way of Tulare County will launch its new 2-1-1 information and referral telephone service at 2 p.m. today (Thursday, March 25) in the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 2800 W. Burrel Ave in Visalia.

The goal of the new service is to provide a sustainable, statewide calling network, similar to both 4-1-1 and 9-1-1 that uses local and regional operators trained to help people with everyday information and referrals. There’s even help in the event of a disaster.

Kickoff to Series of Anti-Gang Workshops in Ivanhoe Starts March 18

Tulare County and school officials say a series of parenting workshops in Ivanhoe will help fight gangs and other negative community influences.

The “Families Step Up for Ivanhoe” is a series of 10 workshops designed to identify and address issues families have in their community. The first workshop is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 at Ivanhoe Elementary School, 16030 Ave. 332 in Ivanhoe.

Stevie (Stephanie) McNeill has been appointed to the position of Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer by Tulare’s Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, Marilyn Kinoshita. A former Kings County employee, McNeill will assume her new position with Tulare County immediately.

County officials will host a reception celebrating the opening an exhibit that features "The African American Experience in Tulare County." This free event will be held from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at the Tulare County Museum of Farm Labor and Agriculture at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia.

The Tulare County Probation Department invites you to read its quarterly newsletter, the "Rap Sheet."

Tulare County officials ordered flags to be lowered at all County facilities Friday morning in honor and out of respect for fallen Fresno County Sheriffs Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier, 49, who died in the line of duty as a result of a shooting incident that occurred in Minkler Thursday, and to honor Reedley Police Officer Javier Bajar, who remains on life support.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Tulare County's One Voice delegation spent its last day in Washington, D.C. meeting with federal staff to discuss funding requests, the continuation of air quality funding, and items covering the Board of Supervisors' legislative platform.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"The TCAG delegation will meet this morning with Congressman Devin Nunes, who will provide an overview of current legislative issues. We will also talk about building continued support in Washington for funding to widen Highway 99. The TCAG delegation will also meet with Senator Barbara Boxer and her senior staff to talk about appropriations for transportation projects and the next Stimulus Bill.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"We had a great meeting today about rail and transportation projects with staff from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the folks who actually write the Transportation Bill, and officials from the Federal Highway Administration, the folks who implement the Transportation Bill funding and projects, said TCAG Vice Chairman Pam Kimball, who also serves on the Lindsay City Council.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Members of Tulare County’s One Voice delegation met with federal leaders several times on Wednesday to discuss the remediation of Lake Success Dam.

County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau reports Supervisor Ishida, Supervisor Vander Poel, Supervisor Worthley and Supervisor Ennis, County staff, City of Porterville officials, Tule Irrigation District officials, staff with the offices of Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and Congressman Devin Nunes met with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

“One Voice” Trip to Wash, D.C.

Tulare County and city elected officials and senior staff have traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for federal funding and support for projects and issues that affect Tulare County residents. Meetings already scheduled. Others still being arranged.