Tulare County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Tulare County supervisors impose 45-day data center moratorium, approve road and landfill contracts

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 18 adopted a 45-day moratorium on new data center development in unincorporated areas, citing threats to public health, safety, and welfare. The 4-1 vote was the board's most consequential action in the past week, which also included a $1 million road contract and several other spending approvals.

Data center moratorium

The board adopted an urgency interim ordinance imposing a 45-day moratorium on new data center permits in unincorporated areas. The vote was 4-1. The ordinance cites threats to public health, safety, and welfare, but the minutes do not specify the nature of those threats.

Road and infrastructure contracts

On Aug. 11, the board awarded a $1,027,630.65 construction contract to Granite Construction Company for the Sequoia Gateway Drive Phase 2 Roadway Improvements Project. The item was considered separately from the consent calendar and approved with contingencies. The consent calendar (items 4-26) was approved 5-0.

At the Aug. 18 meeting, the board approved a $4,980,305 contract to Wood Bros. for the Visalia Landfill expansion, a $390,024 increase for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, a $523,586 agreement for youth intervention services, and a $26,400 payment to Southern California Edison for an Avenue 280 easement. All were part of the consent calendar (items 6-22), approved 5-0.

Other board actions

On Aug. 11, the board authorized defense of the County in the Estate of Michael Pinon v. County of Tulare lawsuit, with reservation of rights. It also held closed sessions on real property negotiation for the Avenue 174 Bridge project and on labor negotiations with employee organizations. Supervisor Shuklian recused himself from the In-Home Support Services labor negotiation due to a conflict.

On Aug. 18, the board approved a letter requesting FEMA reimbursement assistance for 2023 flood damages (5-0) and chose Option C for livestreaming, which continues current practices without adding video (3-2).

Homelessness task force

The Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness met on Aug. 19. Minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included approval of minutes from June 17, a presentation on transit by TCRTA Director Derek Winning, and an update on the Tulare CARES Emergency Shelter by Brittney Dias and Jacque Kapphahn (City of Tulare, pending confirmation). Public comment was limited to three minutes per person.

Coming up

The Board of Supervisors will hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 25, with a closed session at 3:00 p.m. and open session at 6:00 p.m. The board will consider setting the 2026-27 Gann Appropriations Limit cost-of-living factor at 5.42%, ratify County Administrative Officer actions for May-July 2026, reappoint five members to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, approve a Consent to Common Use Agreement with Southern California Edison for the M375A Mineral King Road bridge project, and receive a presentation on informational and technological upgrades from the Resource Management Agency.

Tulare County boards considered water, flood control, and $7 million budget item; minutes pending

Over the past week, four Tulare County bodies met on audit, water, flood control, and insurance matters. Minutes have not yet been published for any of them, so outcomes cannot be confirmed. The largest dollar item on any agenda was a $7,000,000 increase in appropriations for fiscal year 2026, scheduled for action by the San Joaquin Valley Insurance Authority board on July 17.

Audit Committee — July 9

The Audit Committee was scheduled to approve minutes from April 9, 2026, accept an Independence Confirmation, and adopt an updated Internal Audit Charter. The main action item was selecting and approving audits from the Fiscal Year 2027 Audit Plan. Minutes have not been published.

Water Commission — July 13

The Tulare County Water Commission agenda included presentations on the California SAFER Drinking Water Program, a Golden Mussel update, and drought updates covering the Tanks and Hauled Water Program and the Bottled Water Program. Staff were also scheduled to report on SGMA implementation, East Orosi water and sewer consolidation projects, legislative tracking, and commission member terms. Minutes have not been published.

Flood Control Commission — July 15

The Flood Control Commission was scheduled to vote on a resolution allowing remote meeting attendance and potentially declare a commissioner seat vacant due to attendance. Staff updates were planned on the Sultana Storm Drain Improvements and Recharge Project, the Kings River Channel Cleanup Project, and the Flood Control Capital Improvement Program. The agenda also included public comment and scheduling for October. Minutes have not been published.

San Joaquin Valley Insurance Authority — July 17

The SJVIA board agenda included action items to approve the agenda, approve minutes from the May 1, 2026 board meeting, and approve a retroactive reclassification of $272,000 plus a $7,000,000 increase in appropriations for FY 2026. Information items included the proposed FY 2026–2027 budget, cash-flow projections, consultant reports on medical, dental, vision experience and pharmacy utilization, and plan renewal information for FY 2027. Public comment was permitted. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Assessment Appeals Board:** Hearings on three property tax applications — Raymond Handling Concepts (No. 2024-00064), Chandi & Josan Petroleum Inc. (No. 2024-00142), and Hughes Frances Lane (TR) (FLH TR) (No. 2024-00144). The annual assessment of the tax roll will be presented by Tara K. Freitas, followed by review of the Withdrawal Calendar.

• **July 21 — Board of Supervisors:** Public hearings on placing delinquent water and sewer service fees on the 2026/2027 tax rolls for County Service Areas No. 1 and No. 2 and the East Orosi Community Services District, plus a hearing on wastewater service fee collection for the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District. The Board will also consider a contract award to Forcum-Mackey Construction, Inc. for the Animal Services Expansion Project not to exceed $1,439,000, $200,000 in funding for the Step Up #LEAD Work Experience Program, and a $16,347.55 agreement increase for the Ag Commissioner Fence Project at 4437 South Laspina St., Tulare.