County News 2013

Tulare County residents who want to get more involved in public policy can do so by filling vacancies on various boards, commissions, and special districts.

From agriculture and health care to air pollution and assessment appeals, there are 51 vacancies available on more than 20 boards, commissions, and special districts.

Tulare County Chief Clerk of the Board Michelle Baldwin said there are several vacancies that have been historically tough to fill due to the specific qualifications that certain positions require. The Clerk of the Board Office is charged with accepting and processing applications for appointment.

“All vacancies represent a great opportunity for people to get involved in public policy and their community,” Baldwin said. “However, some have been tougher to fill because of the expertise needed.”

Suicide Prevention Week for 2013 is September 8 through 14 and the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, along with local partners, want residents to know about prevention resources.

California rates 44th in the nation in its rate of suicide deaths, but has a higher number of suicide deaths than any other state. Nationally, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death with one suicide occurring, on average, every 14.2 minutes. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds. The elderly make up 12.9% of the population, but comprise 15.9% of all suicides. Additionally, approximately 38,364 Americans died by suicide in 2010, leaving behind friends, family members, or loved ones who are deeply impacted by those suicide deaths.

Longtime City of Hanford administrator Mary Lindsay has been hired as the Assistant County Administrative Officer in Tulare County. Lindsay started August 12.

“We are pleased to bring someone into the Tulare County family with decades of public service expertise,” said Jean Rousseau, County Administrative Officer. “Mary will be a valuable asset to our organization for years to come.”

Prior to her new position with Tulare County, Lindsay worked in various roles during her 26-year-career with the City of Hanford. Lindsay started with the City of Hanford in 1987 as a personnel technician, and then was promoted to personnel analyst and senior administrative analyst. Most recently, she served as Deputy City Manager in Hanford from 1996 to 2012.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors announced today it appointed Rhonda Sjostrom as interim human resources director following the July 19 resignation of previous director Jeff Cardell.

Cardell, who served as the Tulare County human resources director since June 2011, has taken a position as director of the City of Fresno’s personnel services department.

Sjostrom, who has served as the county’s assistant human resources director since 2009, has been with Tulare County since 1987. Sjostrom has held management positions in the County Administrative Office and Human Resources. From December 2010 to June 2011, Sjostrom served as interim director following the retirement of former human resources director Tim Huntley.

Tom Tucker has been appointed to the position of Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Marilyn Kinoshita announced today.

Tucker, who will assume his new position immediately, has served as Interim Assistant Agricultural Commissioner for the past seven months.

“In a relatively short time, Tom has proven himself to be extremely capable,” Kinoshita said. “Tulare County will benefit from his attention to detail as we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the individuals, businesses and agricultural community of Tulare County. We congratulate Tom and are confident that he will serve our Ag industry and the public with dedication and the highest level of professional competency.”

In an effort to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance, the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency is offering open forums countywide to discuss Environmental Health permit fees and inspection experiences.

The permit fees are generally geared towards event organizers; non-profit event coordinators; caterers; restaurant owners; mobile food vendors; temporary food vendors; and businesses.

The goal of these meetings is for vendors, organizers, and community leaders to share their views and participate in an on-going process of designing a fee structure that works for Tulare County and complements the permits required by the California Health & Safety Code.

Tulare County employees in unrepresented bargaining groups will receive salary increases starting in July, the Board of Supervisors announced today.

A $1.7 million salary increase proposal for Tulare County’s employees in unrepresented bargaining groups was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors during today’s meeting.

The last time similar salary adjustments were granted was December 2008. Of the $1.7 million included in the salary increase proposal, $530,000 would be spent from the General Fund.

There are 540 employees in unrepresented bargaining groups, which include the Board of Supervisors, county elected officials, confidential clerical workers, professionals, mid-management, executive management/department heads, probation management, and assistant department heads.

A $1.7 million salary increase proposal for Tulare County’s employees in unrepresented bargaining groups will be brought before the Board of Supervisors for consideration at its June 25 meeting.

The last time similar salary adjustments were granted was December 2008. Of the $1.7 million included in the salary increase proposal, $530,000 would be spent from the General Fund.

There are 540 employees in unrepresented bargaining groups, which include the Board of Supervisors, county elected officials, confidential clerical workers, professionals, mid-management, executive management/department heads, probation management, and assistant department heads.

Tulare County Registrar of Voters, Rita A. Woodard, is reminding all Tulare County residents that a Special General Election for State Senate District 16 will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

• The last day to register to vote for this election is Monday, July 8, 2013.

Tulare County’s General Services and Sheriff’s Departments announced today that the Kings River in Tulare County is closed to motorized vessels, such as boats and jet skis, until water levels and rates increase.

Tulare County Parks Manager Neil Pilegard said motorized vessels should not be used in the Kings River until water flows reach 400 cubic feet per second. As of today, water is flowing at a rate between 30- and 50 cubic-feet per-second.

“Operating motorized vehicles in the Kings River with low water levels and rates is dangerous,” Pilegard said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Several Tulare County buildings impacted by a power distribution failure on Monday will be powered by generators through the rest of this week.

Crews will work on fixing the infrastructure that provides power to four buildings occupied by several County of Tulare departments and the Tulare County Office of Education. The power failure will be completely fixed prior to next business week.

In conjunction with National Victims’ Rights Week, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office will be hosting its 13th annual Victims Memorial Quilt Unveiling at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24.

The Victims Memorial Quilt is created of quilt squares, each of which commemorates a victim who was murdered or a victim who died as a result of a drunk-driving incident.  The squares are created by family members and loved ones to remember and celebrate the lives of victims who have been lost due to violence.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kevin Kemmerling had a busy year in 2012. He played an important role in the County’s eradication efforts of illegal marijuana grow sites and helped launch an education campaign to prevent people from drowning.

These examples are just a couple of reasons why the Board of Supervisors announced Tuesday that Sgt. Kemmerling is the 2012 Tulare County Employee of the Year.  

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Pete Vander Poel said more than 130 County of Tulare employees were nominated from 18 different departments.

“There are thousands of County employees who are passionate about their jobs and duties, however, only one can be selected each year,” Chairman Vander Poel said. “The thing that separated Kevin from all of the others is his exceptional willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. I commend Kevin and all other nominees for making a difference and bringing extraordinary efforts to work day-in and day-out.”

International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings affirmed stable credit ratings today for Tulare County’s implied general obligation and certificates of participation (COPs) series.

County officials say the stable credit ratings will have positive implications should the County seek to finance future capital projects such as new construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement projects to facilities.

Citing Tulare County’s stable economy, healthy financial position, and manageable long term liabilities, Fitch Ratings affirmed the implied general obligation at AA- and the COPs series at A+. An “A” assignment denotes high credit quality while an “AA” assignment denotes very high credit quality, according to Fitch Ratings.

Tulare County is encouraging all residents to live healthier lifestyles by hosting a variety of live awareness events and through social media outreach during “Healthy Tulare County Week,” which is scheduled from April 1 – April 6 in conjunction with National Public Health Week.

As part of his State of the County Address, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Pete Vander Poel said health and wellness of Tulare County residents was a priority during his chairmanship. Healthy Tulare County Week is one aspect of heightening health awareness in Tulare County.

“The more we can educate residents about making positive decisions involving their health, the better,” Chairman Vander Poel said. “Overall, the mission of Healthy Tulare County Week is to improve life in Tulare County.”

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors today approved a 45-day moratorium that prohibits the establishment and expansion of any medical marijuana collectives, cooperatives, or dispensaries in unincorporated areas of the county.

The moratorium would only impact existing operations if they wanted to expand. Tulare County’s existing ordinance states that marijuana collectives and cooperatives must be located on land zoned for commercial or manufacturing use within the unincorporated county and be in a secured, locked, and fully enclosed structure.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved dates for five night meetings in 2013.

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Pete Vander Poel said the goal of hosting the night meetings is to improve the public’s access to the Board.

“I hope residents respond well and attend these meetings to express their concerns or learn more about Tulare County government,” Chairman Vander Poel said.

The first of five night meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on March 12, 2013 at Farmersville City Hall.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors will receive a presentation on March 5 regarding efforts to amend the County’s existing Business License Ordinance. After the presentation, the Supervisors are expected to give direction to staff on how to proceed.

Part of the amendment would include a requirement for nearly all businesses with a fixed-placed of business in the unincorporated areas of the County to obtain a $50 business license permit. No official action will take place during the March 5 meeting. County staff plans to conduct community meetings to gather feedback.

Tulare County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau said the purpose of the $50 business license permit is part of an ongoing effort to enhance public safety efforts.

“Over the past several years, the County has created an independent Fire Department, improved mutual aid delivery for ambulance providers, and increased fire inspections for business sites,” Rousseau said. “A countywide business license ordinance is the next step in continuing this improvement to public safety and enhancing delivery of services for the business community in the County.”