County News 2011

February 15, 2011

Tulare County officials will recognize the efforts of volunteers who recently built and donated a display of the Visalia Electric Railroad model train at the Tulare County Museum at Mooney Grove Park.

Tulare County Parks Manger Neil Pilegard said at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 at the Tulare County Museum in Mooney Grove Park, volunteers will present the display to the museum.

“This model train displays an important piece of Tulare County’s history,” Pilegard said. “I would like to commend the volunteers for their efforts.”

February 15, 2011

Residents interested in participating in an advisory group to make recommendations on how to redraw Tulare County's Supervisorial district boundaries can learn more at a public forum on Tuesday, Feb. 22, District Three Supervisor Phil Cox announced at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
 
“I want this to be a non-political process where all residents have an opportunity to have their voice heard,” Supervisor Cox said.

The public forum – open to residents from throughout Tulare County - will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. inside the Visalia City Council’s chambers at 707 W. Acequia Ave. Visalia, CA 93291.

February 10, 2011

There are two free water tests available to domestic well owners and schools in Tulare County.

UC Davis Water Study

Residents who own a domestic well in Tulare County are eligible for a free water quality test courtesy of University of California, Davis officials who are conducting a groundwater quality project.

Katherine Lockhart, a UC, Davis graduate student leading the project, said the purpose of the project is to improve groundwater protection and help ensure safe drinking water for rural households by providing better assessment tools and management options. The project is funded by the State Water Resources Control Board.

“This project will provide important information in an overall effort to improve the quality of water, and ultimately the quality of life, in Tulare County,” Lockhart said.

February 9, 2011

Tulare County Household Hazardous Waste and E-Recycling Solutions, a project of Community Services & Employment Training (CSET) is hosting a free Clean Up Event for electronic waste (e-waste) and universal waste (u-waste) collection Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Exeter Corporation Yard, 250 W. Firebaugh, Exeter.  This free collection event will take place from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

February 3, 2011

The Tulare County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee (IGLCBC) is actively seeking grant applications from interested parties. More than $530,000 in grant funding is available.

February 2, 2011

The Tulare County Superior Courthouse in Visalia will be closed for the rest of the week to the public and County and State employees due to a power failure. County officials say power to the courthouse will be restored by Monday, February 7, 2011. 

January 26, 2011

One of Tulare County's most prestigious landmarks - once destroyed by vandals - will be rededicated by the Tulare County Historical Society in February.
 
The public is invited to attend the free rededication of The Charter Oak, better known as the Election Tree, at 11 a.m. on February 5. (Directions Below)
 
The site of the Election Tree marks the location of the election by which Tulare County was organized on July 10, 1852, said Delora Buckman, president of the Tulare County Historical Society.
 
"This is where Tulare County local government was founded," Buckman said. "This is a must-attend event for residents who are interested in County history."

January 25, 2011

2011 State of the County Address
By Mike Ennis, Chairman
Tulare County Board of Supervisors

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for your attendance at today’s meeting. It is truly a pleasure and honor to hold office as a public servant, and, this year, as your Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

It’s been quite a year since we last gathered to hear Supervisor Worthley talk about the state of Tulare County.

Like all California counties, there were many challenges in 2010. The State dealt with its budget woes and the economy continued to slump. Both obstacles created negative impacts, forcing most Counties to lay off or furlough employees and reduce state-mandated services to close growing budget gaps.

Many Counties struggled with these tough and inevitable solutions. Other Counties, like Tulare County, who has remained fiscally conservative for years, managed to keep the budget gap lower than most of our neighboring Counties.

I would like to publicly thank past Chairman Steve Worthley and my fellow Board members, other elected officials, our CAO and his staff, and County of Tulare department heads and employees for their collective efforts, contributions, and innovative ideas and leadership during 2010. Efforts from each stakeholder prevented deeper budget cuts.

January 12, 2011

Tim Mathos has been promoted to the position of Assistant Assessor/Clerk-Recorder by Roland Hill, who was recently elected and sworn into office as Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder.

Mathos, who has worked in the Assessor's department for more than 23 years, assumed his new position previously occupied by Hill on January 3, 2011.

“Tim brings to the Assistants position an extremely well-rounded working understanding of our department coupled with an unmatched work ethic, and, an excellent ability and desire to communicate and respond to fellow staff members, constituents, and stakeholders," Hill said. "We are very fortunate to have someone of Tim’s characteristics and abilities as our new Assistant Assessor/Clerk-Recorder."

January 10, 2011

Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder Roland Hill announced today a regulation from the United States Department of State will halt the Tulare County Clerk’s Division in Visalia from being a passport acceptance facility. The Clerk’s Division will no longer accept passport applications on January 31, 2011.

Hill said the regulation, as part of the Federal Passport Acceptance Program, prohibits facilities that issue birth records from being an approved passport acceptance facility – a location where residents apply for passports. After residents fill out their applications, the paperwork is sent on to the United States Passport Services, who ultimately issues the passports. There are 14 passport acceptance facilities throughout Tulare County.