County News 2012

Tulare County now has an updated general plan.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously voted to approve the Tulare County General Plan 2030 Update. In addition, the Supervisors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report and adopted a Climate Action Plan, a document that outlines how to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions as new development occurs.

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I would like to thank staff for years of hard work and dedication,” said Allen Ishida, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “I would also like to thank the residents who participated in the process, especially those who were opposed to the County’s General Plan Update. They were instrumental in helping the County formulate a sound and good General Plan Update.”

Flu season is approaching, and the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Department of Public Health wants to remind all citizens that the best way to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccine every flu season.

Clinics will be conveniently located throughout the County.  Dates and locations for September clinics include:

Various measures were approved on Tuesday by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to help bridge a projected $5.1 million deficit to the County’s Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2012-13.

Tulare County’s Solid Waste Enterprise Fund is projected to operate at a $5.1 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2012-13. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a number of staff recommendations that would close the deficit.

County officials say the operating deficit to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund can be attributed to dated landfill fees, a reduction in material received, low interest rates, and a reduction in reserves that earn interest.

To bridge the deficit, staff will recommend measures that include closing four transfer stations and modifying hours at a landfill near Porterville, requiring licensed haulers to dump their waste at County landfills, and comprehensive landfill fee reforms through a public hearing process.

Middle and high schools from throughout Tulare County have a chance to participate in a program that seeks to decrease gang activity and support positive options for youth.

There are a total of 20 spots available for middle schools and 10 spots available for high schools to participate in the Step Up Youth Challenge, a seven-month program designed to engage a diverse group of students in a service learning-based Challenge Project that impacts their school culture and community.  Participating schools will have the opportunity to show how their projects made a positive difference at school or in the community in a competition for grants totaling $15,000.

“The value of the Challenge is that students take the lead in creating a program unique to the needs of their school,” said Jim Vidak, Superintendent of Schools. “The range of projects we saw last year was impressive – from gang prevention and anti-bullying campaigns to community service and nutrition/fitness programs. It’s a powerful program for building leadership skills and transforming young lives.”

Rita A. Woodard, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, would like to remind taxpayers that Unsecured Tax bills are now due.  Please note that the delinquent date is August 31st.  If your payment is not received or postmarked by the delinquent date, a 10% penalty will be added to your bill.

Tulare County’s Information & Communications Technology Department (TCiCT) is partnering with the Tulare County Fair to put on a digital photography contest. The purpose of the contest is to ask the public to help showcase the beauty of Tulare County in a variety of ways.

“We are excited to partner with the County of Tulare on this exciting project,” said Geoff Hinds, CEO of the Tulare County Fair. “The creation of this digital photography division, and the methods we will utilize to showcase these works, is an exciting step for this fair.”

There will be seven different classes of photography: Animal, Barn, Landscape, Photojournalism, Sunrise/Sunset, Events in Tulare County, and Images of Tulare County.

The Tulare County Public Health Department Tuesday evening issued a notice for the portion of the Kings River that flows through Tulare County. This notice is in response to a spill of untreated sewage from the City of Reedley Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The spill from the City of Reedley Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in Fresno County, involved approximately 63,000 gallons of sewage and occurred at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 30, 2012. At this time, Tulare County Public Health has been informed that a portion of the untreated sewage flowed directly into the Kings River. As a result, known recreational areas have been posted with health and safety warnings, alerting the public to avoid all contact with the water until sample results indicate the water is safe for recreational use. At this time, no humans or animals should have contact with the contaminated water, and the water should not be used for crop irrigation or similar use.

A web-based tool that brings County experts right to your door has been revamped.

More than a dozen new topics has been added to the Tulare County Speakers Bureau, a county program which is designed to provide public speakers, covering government issues, to local clubs, civic groups, neighborhood associations, community organizations and schools.

At the July 31 Board of Supervisors meeting, county staff will provide an update regarding all the new topics, the success of the program, and provide recognition to those departments who have participated.

Phonemany Lounbandith, a Self Sufficiency Resource Specialist for the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency's (HHSA) Porterville District Office, received the Literacy Advocate award on July 26.

TulareWORKS Division Manager Donna Ortiz presented the quarterly award on behalf of HHSA and the Library’s Read to Succeed Literacy program. The honor was designed for HHSA counselors and specialists who have referred their clients to a joint program developed by HHSA and the Library Literacy Center.  This is the second time Ms. Lounbandith has received the award.

*The below press release was provided by the Office of U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, Eastern District of California

FRESNO, Calif. - Two indictments were brought today by a grand jury in Fresno for marijuana cultivation operations in Kings and Tulare Counties, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

"These indictments stem from an initiative targeting large-scale rural marijuana growers in six counties in the Central Valley of California," said U.S. Attorney Wagner.

The first indictment charges Jonathan Anthony Meza, 20, of Los Angeles, and Ramon Manjarrez-Del Vaal, 36, of Sinaloa, Mexico, with conspiring to grow, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and growing and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute it. Meza is also charged with maintaining drug-related premises.

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Allen Ishida today requested all United States flags to be flown at half-staff at all County buildings in remembrance of U.S. Army Pfc. Alejandro J. Pardo of Porterville.

“Our thoughts are prayers go out to the family of Alejandro Pardo and all the families who have lost young men and women who died serving our Country,” Chairman Ishida said. “Tulare County will fly our flags at half-staff and encourage individuals, businesses, and other organizations to join us in remembrance of Mr. Pardo for his sacrifice to our Country.”

Pursuant to section 12112(b) of the California Elections Code, Tulare County Registrar of Voters, Rita A. Woodard, announces that Nomination Papers for offices to be voted on at the November 6, 2012 General Election will be available beginning on Monday, July 16, 2012, and will be available through Friday, August 10, 2012, in the Elections Division, Government Plaza, 5951 South Mooney Blvd., Visalia.

Tulare County’s 2011 Annual Crop and Livestock Report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 24. Copies of the report will be available during the presentation and posted online.

The Tulare County Department of Public Health is advising residents that as we enjoy the celebrations of summer it is important to properly protect yourself from West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV has been found in both mosquito and bird samples in Tulare County, and it is important that the appropriate steps be taken to protect against contracting the virus.