[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6548152,"mediaKeyId","3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559","parentId",3636113,"title","Votes at a glance: Tulare County Board actions on June 3, 2025","audioSeconds",247,"startMs",1922000,"endMs",2169000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559&start=1922&end=2169","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559/thumbnail_1922000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6548152/Tulare-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Tulare-County-Board-actions-on-June-3-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6548152-2fdb3cddca375b0624a3f66653ecbf08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184442&Signature=aRFu3n2gjUgGn2X5kDigQDCs0p2eQaA08O1nM4oT0xezl86dNNAZ8KbzapwNUZf68aHe-J4PDf7Rv60qINMgLrwnHzw55FvKd3~DkNcddAswkpDuFuNFkB1Kcmy55q98rUwQ6HD34L7fFfO1k9P3WjpuTAWfzWH3Hhtq4r5oSTJ80lY0W1d6G-fngFcfqqvGmo~R5IkY1Hh0Vls7JMFI3~WNLWd7yC3BPJm8puS43FznGUFGCmI692kzLIV13BeACfBXn64M7Y8D8lzWIC75UsrUYvNdW5j06TtHwqxRmZjA1hfBcliPkwYBBaFBPPyy4xijyx6Bvi5o7ZaOe1SP8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulare County","date","2025-06-03T15:49:26Z","article","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors took several formal actions on June 3, 2025. The following is a concise list of motions, their outcomes and key details recorded on the meeting record.

1) Consent calendar (Items 4\u000for'7)
Motion: Approve consent calendar (items 4\u000for'7).
Outcome: Passed unanimously among supervisors present (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Supervisor Dennis Townsend not voting due to absence).

2) Item 38 \rraft response to the 2024
nd'025 Tulare County Grand Jury report: \"Homeless Shelters\"
Motion: Consider, modify as needed, and approve the board's draft response to the grand jury report titled \"Homeless Shelters\"; authorize the chair to sign the response.
Outcome: Approved unanimously among supervisors present (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting). The draft responses acknowledged the county's partnership in providing shelter services and stated the county considers recommendation 1 implemented.

3) Item 39 \rraft response to the grand jury report: \"Failure of Oversight: Tulare County Special Districts\"
Motion: Approve the county\rraft response to the report and authorize modifications as needed.
Outcome: Approved (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting). The board agreed with the grand jury's findings and asked the auditor's office to analyze pilot options. Separately the board directed staff to draft and submit a complaint to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau regarding governance concerns at the Tulare Public Cemetery; that action also passed (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting).

4) Item 40 \rraft response to grand jury report: \"Library Book Machines\"
Motion: Consider, modify as needed, and approve the board's draft response to the grand jury report on book machines and book lockers.
Outcome: Approved unanimously among supervisors present (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting). The response agreed with the findings and noted that the county will implement improved management practices for new book lockers with vendor maintenance and staff restocking plans at identified locations (Tipton, London, Ivanhoe, Strathmore branches and the Tulare County Museum at Mooney Grove Park).

5) Item 41 \ronation/surplus of two fire engines
Motion: Approve option A: donate two fire engines (county assets) to the College of the Sequoias for use in its fire academy; authorize transfer of title and a donation agreement.
Outcome: Approved (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting). Assets described in the agenda included a KME engine and a 1998 Ford F-450 patrol vehicle (asset numbers listed in the packet). County staff estimated surplus value between $3,000 and $5,000 each.

6) Item 42
dopt ordinance language for fire-hazard severity zones (LRA)
Motion: Introduce and approve ordinance language adding Chapter 33, Part 7 to the Tulare County Ordinance Code to adopt LRA fire-hazard severity zones.
Outcome: Approved (4\u000for, 0
gainst; Townsend not voting). County staff noted the change implements state-mapped LRA severity zones and will create increased permit and inspection workload.

Closed session and adjournment
The board adjourned to closed session during the meeting and returned with no reportable action. The public meeting was then adjourned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - 06/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on June 3, including consent calendar approval, grand jury responses, donation of fire engines and adoption of fire-hazard severity zones.","taxTitle","Tulare County, California","taxId",7749,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6548157,"Tulare County proclaims June 2025 Portuguese National Heritage Month",254,1182000,1436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559&start=1182&end=1436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559/thumbnail_1182000.jpg","/articles/6548157/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-proclaims-June-2025-Portuguese-National-Heritage-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6548157-c5f6a61d5130754273732f6378f3ba88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184442&Signature=OzzuMaT5z8EZ-30cPfD7cMrw7QgYEMtZ5jI81PvQFctu5UmuSJyG3M1FNF3qnhkHj4sr-Ry9NrHW~Egly-JMNqHTmDlUBvQBbL0sHRC~JtMBaCYQqLcJDuRzmGRg0T5H3a1GaSLNNKkRBgbD63A-L6NjyVO6unlSZieE2ks-c-ggttyidAU9CNKcZQrABIkZkNKzBceR64qcQHCu1yEHyLZ37wQwGXD-IZKq7gLjYJs8eAvoaYjvaRQgRxzY-IOwnX-YFdhzQ8BT0jrWkfPesoHRfX-EAP-wWYcfJ4vao8JD2kZ1UBpndh6Xv5NnV4iyQHNmf19Ez0K55bHSjgzseQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on June 3 proclaimed June 2025 as Portuguese National Heritage Month in Tulare County and honored local Portuguese cultural organizations for their community contributions.

Supervisor Larry McCarrie read and presented the proclamation, which cited historical Portuguese immigration to California from the Azores, the Portuguese community's contributions to agriculture and local culture, and the presence of an honorary Portuguese consulate in the region. The proclamation was dated June 3, 2025, and carried the signatures of the board chair and attending supervisors.

Representatives of the SBDS Festa, a local nonprofit cultural organization, came forward after the proclamation. Tony Susino, who identified himself as the board secretary, told the board the SBDS Festa is in its 70th year and that fundraising at their annual lamb feed supports scholarships for local students. \"We're a nonprofit. We give back to the community,\" Susino said, describing the organization's scholarship work and community events.

Why it matters

The proclamation recognizes local ethnic and cultural heritage and highlights longstanding community organizations that hold festivals, raise scholarship funds and maintain cultural traditions in Tulare County.

Additional details

- The board noted multiple local organizations and traditions, including the Societe Portuguesa and Divino Espirito Santo festivities, and information in the proclamation referenced a 2018 California strategic plan promoting Portuguese language and culture education.

- The SBDS Festa representatives invited the public to attend their upcoming multi-day celebration and described scholarship and community-feeding programs funded by event proceeds.

The board's presentation concluded with supervisors thanking the community leaders for their work and encouraging public participation.","The Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation recognizing Portuguese National Heritage Month and received remarks from leaders of the SBDS Festa organization about their community contributions and scholarships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6548161,"Tulare County adopts state-mandated fire-hazard severity zoning for local responsibility areas",1036,3374000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559&start=3374&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559/thumbnail_3374000.jpg","/articles/6548161/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-adopts-state-mandated-fire-hazard-severity-zoning-for-local-responsibility-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6548161-adf4dfc6ed76385f9502b95a0d124d52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184442&Signature=gWSKa1Z1lSYTOZOieuM1RdiFff4cP1EpZo~xSyJ5Y-UYsZg7TTV9QtFiyvsvOLAeUAkVhN8YzCflHNrF2VJATwwR0kY5x3gLoCkSYzdLGHz4uZ~FSA4OrWuIIy9np6Qo7SKvXvsNn7i-vaMWrGDW8MZvUIh-H1LGFbEmaCKoDYKVHm4spvQnFViCmw-9EFdo7qtAYAY6Sew1YODWxq6u~ZyU98VRHr0uL31MffFf57vah80vqLKkF9TQ-Wel4hGcdfSbFt-8M4S53WOQWLU~MPMz3PBSlOR6YUf68KqHAhzA2AXp~0qnSQZzGwYTbZA2jNLBMqb~pgWeiVie3dkfMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on June 3 approved the county's ordinance adoption process to add Chapter 33, Part 7 to the Tulare County Ordinance Code, implementing state-mapped fire-hazard severity zones for Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) within the county.

Tulare County Fire Department staff told the board the state map assigns \"moderate, high and very high\" fire-hazard severity categories to parcels within the county's LRA. The board approved the ordinance amendment by a 4\u000for, 0
gainst vote, with Supervisor Dennis Townsend not voting because he was not in attendance.

Why it matters

The adoption brings new defensible-space obligations, building and access requirements, and plan-check and inspection rules to areas of the county that previously did not have LRA severity designations. Staff said these changes will affect new construction, plan-review time, and inspections and that the county will need to expand staffing and permit resources to meet the new workload.

What the county presented

Chief Norman and Division Chief Kevin described the legal and technical background: California statutes and recent legislation (including AB 337, AB 642, SB 63 and AB 211) require CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal to map fire-hazard severity and for local agencies to adopt code changes for LRAs. County staff said they posted the state map on March 10 and opened a public-comment period that exceeded the statutory minimum; they reported receiving no public comments on the LRA map during that outreach.

County staff highlighted several practical consequences:

- New defensible-space obligations, including a forthcoming 0-to-5-foot \"zone 0\" requirement around structures and ongoing 30-to-100-foot vegetation management rules.
- Title 24 and Title 14 building and roadway standards will apply in very high LRA zones, affecting materials, windows, eave enclosure and road/access design for new construction.
- AB 38 requirements (buyers' disclosures and fire-clearance letters at escrow) will extend to properties now in LRA severity zones, increasing inspection demand for real-estate transactions.
- The department expects roughly 527 parcels requiring annual inspections under the new map; staff said those inspections and additional plan checks will increase workload and likely require additional positions and scheduling changes.

County staff framed the adoption as compliance with a state-mandated program. Chief Norman told the board, \"This is a state-mandated, public resource code,\" and later staff characterized the ordinance as an \"unfunded state mandate\" that will create new county costs to implement.

Supervisor questions and board action

Supervisors asked how the changes would affect permit timelines and inspection scheduling. Division Chief Kevin said plan-check times and inspections will increase, and the inspection workload (including access and roadway reviews) will be especially affected. County staff said they plan to provide clearer permit notifications and to revisit fee schedules or staffing levels as the county implements the new chapter.

The board voted to adopt the ordinance language and begin the formal adoption process. The motion passed 4\u000for, 0
gainst; Supervisor Townsend did not vote because he was absent.

Next steps

County staff said they will return with specific staffing proposals and potential permit-fee adjustments as they quantify the added workload. They also said they will continue public outreach and provide maps and guidance on the county Fire Department website.","The board approved an ordinance to add Chapter 33, Part 7 to the Tulare County ordinance code to adopt California\u0000State Fire Marshal severity zones for the Local Responsibility Area (LRA); staff warned of increased permit and inspection workload and called it an unfunded state mandate.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6548166,"Tulare County approves response to grand jury on special districts, board seeks state cemetery probe",1302,1644000,2946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559&start=1644&end=2946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3636113-79a16488d54496cffee65196e9573559/thumbnail_1644000.jpg","/articles/6548166/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-approves-response-to-grand-jury-on-special-districts-board-seeks-state-cemetery-probe","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6548166-763ed8ff9c4e2075dd066c75907411c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184442&Signature=l4FYvlxpBp6D6t41U5VQipWtHb6vM1~BlcCwKRHlH4VfRl-iDOz7Bz~0XgSybJEcAZTrvrhvaKa4HokFG~n0VKelGuhhHVIsKrgxXgDPCkjPV5x4ON0TkbQqwDkki3wR2XdCJ8RuZlISGJOprwT2ZYTYITittqk1Qzj~7yAMRi4NzKATpTx9gi1LGieeckSlLCBHRNFFb2TMdnfE44koPY5tD8bkzfbo6CVmPerqBalCJb-crDbAwysJdl4B6nb~q4-GgXSa38AWQ5SHekAUrwmkYDNp9LFbqDOuP3269TvMRYBrEJBM7DIrkD1ErVyhxjHl4s0JjvT5ewWoWsrDPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on June 3 approved the county
dministration\rraft response to the 2024
nd'025 Tulare County Grand Jury report titled \"Failure of Oversight: Tulare County Special Districts\" and directed staff to send a complaint to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, asking it to investigate problems raised at the Tulare Public Cemetery.

The vote to approve the board response and to request the cemetery probe was unanimous among supervisors present, 4\u000for, 0
gainst, with Supervisor Dennis Townsend not voting because he was not in attendance.

The grand jury report found a pattern of limited financial transparency and noncompliance among some special districts, and the board's draft responses agreed with all four findings. Israel Sotelo, chief of staff to the board, summarized the county\rraft response and told supervisors the county would support limited pilot options to help districts comply with audit requirements while noting feasibility and cost issues must be further analyzed by the auditor's office.

Why it matters

Grand jury findings that special districts lack consistent audited financials or easy-to-find disclosures can affect taxpayer oversight and the delivery of local services. Several speakers at the meeting urged stronger oversight, saying existing appointment powers do not allow the county to remove board members once appointed.

What the board said and did

Sotelo read the findings and draft responses into the record, saying the board agreed with the grand jury that many special districts are not meeting state disclosure and audit requirements. The draft responses stated the county would consider a pilot program in the auditor's office to prepare reviewed financial statements for districts that cannot afford full audits, and that other proposals (for the county to withhold funds or levy fines) would require changes in state law.

During the public-comment period, Vicky Gilson, who identified herself as a concerned resident, urged the supervisors to take action regarding Tulare Public Cemetery and highlighted both grounds-keeping and financial-control concerns. \"Cemeteries are sacred to us. That's where our loved ones are buried. We do not need chaos,\" Gilson said.

Supervisor Larry McCarrie, who moved approval of the board response, said the board has repeatedly encountered problems with special districts during his time in office and that \"drastic measures is what we have to take\" in cases where governance has broken down. McCarrie also asked staff to draft and send a letter to the state Cemetery and Funeral Bureau asking for an investigation into the Tulare Public Cemetery's governance and finances; that motion passed 4\u000for, 0
gainst (Townsend not voting).

What the report recommended and the county's response

- The grand jury recommended county statute or other steps to enable the auditor-controller to produce reviewed financials for noncompliant special districts; the board response said this recommendation requires further analysis and that a cost/feasibility study by the auditor would be necessary.

- Another recommendation suggested the county contract with CPAs to audit troubled districts; county staff noted many special districts have too few transactions to cover audit costs and said implementation details would be for the auditor to determine.

- Recommendations asking the county to withhold funding or levy fines were marked by the county as outside the board's current authority and would require state law changes.

Clarifying details

- The grand jury report covered multiple special-district governance problems and the board was asked to respond to all four findings and six recommendations.

- The board agreed with the grand jury's four findings, but several recommended remedies were described in the county response as requiring further analysis or state legislative changes.

- The board directed staff to prepare and send a complaint to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, asking for an investigation of Tulare Public Cemetery; that request was made as part of a separate motion and passed 4\u000for, 0
gainst (Townsend not voting).

Meeting context and next steps

Board staff and the auditor's office will analyze feasibility and costs for any pilot programs to provide reviewed financials or contracted audits for special districts. The board indicated it is pursuing legislation in Sacramento to give counties more tools to address nonperforming special-district board members.

The grand jury issue and the Tulare Public Cemetery concerns were discussed at length during the untimed portion of the June 3 meeting and prompted public comment and follow-up action by the board.","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved a formal response to the 2024–25 grand jury report on special districts and voted to request a state investigation of governance and financial practices at the Tulare Public Cemetery.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Tulare County Board actions on June 3, 2025

Tulare County proclaims June 2025 Portuguese National Heritage Month

Tulare County adopts state-mandated fire-hazard severity zoning for local responsibility areas

Tulare County approves response to grand jury on special districts, board seeks state cemetery probe