[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6701953,"mediaKeyId","5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d","parentId",5391198,"title","Tulare County board approves Terra Bella sewer rate increase to cover operations and debt","audioSeconds",852,"startMs",4474000,"endMs",5326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d&start=4474&end=5326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d/thumbnail_4474000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701953/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-board-approves-Terra-Bella-sewer-rate-increase-to-cover-operations-and-debt","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701953-ba014c3378c65f8aa6b400b4532966cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774866932&Signature=c80vtaS0g5o6nMPtNOOA34XARGOMzXJcw3qwWtgaaHoFCf7rYXfr0PggVthT8wlSpHAJwr-ddRNd0hFhCEisW8WvPCyyQYcrorJl8CWnALQERXcj4HAlZRowoXpfaNZ9Ym8V7~vbPlrtCy1uk3iLoTg2L9lG9NuyZnc7rLUXmhj0H0juaOrW8qScLeXKHb4eVZ-Z-yrehOR-XNzir-rPrtjvwjAZh4BdZLPwOR-gBx-JkIoq0Ny6p2cl8l-wigkjnmBeQxvGZbHPgorfaWHu1TAB9HQCYY-V3F3-co1AiwLcJ1rDs5VLhVPxVKTRzn9mIoxFfeO~xIYULPbuTgCX1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T15:45:11Z","article","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on July 15 adopted new wastewater service fees for the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District, approving a plan that raises residential charges this year and phases additional increases over the next five years to fully fund operations, debt service and future capital work.

The change is intended to correct rates that have not been increased since 1996 and to cover a structural shortfall in the district’s finances. County Resource Management Agency (RMA) Manager Denise England told the board the system serves about 520 accounts, currently operates at a deficit, and requires steady revenue to maintain recently completed upgrades and to fund future repairs and capital projects.

The board voted to adopt Option A, which moves the single-family monthly charge from $21 to $27 effective Aug. 1, 2025, then applies additional annual adjustments in future fiscal years; the RMA projected a fully funded position and modest reserves by fiscal year 2030 under the plan. England said the county invested $750,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds this year to clean ponds, replace aerators and complete other plant and collection-system work; she emphasized the ARPA funds are a grant and not a loan the community must repay.

The RMA’s five-year study assumes roughly $190,000 in annual operating costs, about $55,000 in annual debt service and modest inflation assumptions (3 percent year-over-year; higher utility escalation for electricity). Beginning in fiscal year 2028 the district will begin using rate revenues to fund recurring capital needs estimated at about $140,000 annually (including routine maintenance, hydro-flushing and equipment replacement), the presentation said.

RMA staff also briefed the board on legal constraints under Proposition 218, which limits the procedural approach and maximum phased period for property-related fees, and noted the county mailed notices and held the required public meeting. The clerk reported that no affected parcels submitted written protests, so the board could legally impose the adjustments.

Supervisor Dennis Townsend said the planning and long-range approach represented progress for the district and would help avoid future reliance on the county general fund. After a motion by Townsend and a second by Supervisor Amy Shucklian, the board approved the rate schedule by a 4-0 vote with Supervisor Larry McCarrie absent. County staff said the board will consider placing the fees on the property tax roll at an upcoming Aug. 5 item to streamline collection.

The adopted schedule keeps Terra Bella on the low end compared with several other county-run sewer systems even after the increases, RMA staff said; RMA also noted certain accounts (school district, housing authority, fire yard) will continue to be billed annually rather than through the tax roll.

The board closed the public hearing after receiving no in-person or remote testimony and after the clerk confirmed no majority protest. The rate study and staff presentation, the RMA said, are intended to stabilize the district’s finances and preserve the ARPA-funded improvements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - 07/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors approved a multi-year adjustment to wastewater service fees for the Terra Bella Sewer Maintenance District, citing decades of deferred rate increases, recent ARPA-funded repairs and the need to cover operating costs and debt service.","taxTitle","Tulare County, California","taxId",7749,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6701944,"Board approves Tulare County response to grand jury 'election integrity' report; staff to publish fact sheet by January 2026",361,2202000,2563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d&start=2202&end=2563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d/thumbnail_2202000.jpg","/articles/6701944/Tulare-County/California/Board-approves-Tulare-County-response-to-grand-jury-election-integrity-report-staff-to-publish-fact-sheet-by-January-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701944-a769d1109c895db346f98d96f6c0ffea/orig.mp4?Expires=1774866932&Signature=kER4TkVIOGftWLIsufGBYxZ2pByQ0hmeNHtjvQ4q7UQRq6Nbyal-zIWK4cgGUS441hktQcl3XwI5t23UMSko-mCwQI0wsdCvF1XFdjJBHsZQ0GshzOOtJb06CyFF6sPkKgDgOp8aF48LoFy2Aw6Gu4ZOlp0Xn~XxZGkPdjEcT6hpnZPxVuHY1QC-~Y8C7HzsUARaXVVlj~d41xUbVfvMEtoqxPoeomiUD4-S5AleQvjiOjG1SfhgKJA~DFmfB9n-kdwUkHY6DdfZDw99A~EV-JXERGYZHHag0icUbsetYrGrLEHfFKo5eprBVCNAjkwwpRXG~UEoNyKtWMfzCJSNrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted July 15 to approve the county’s draft response to the 2024–25 Tulare County Civil Grand Jury report titled “election integrity,” directing the response to the presiding judge within the 90-day timeframe.

Israel Sotelo, the board’s chief of staff, read the county’s draft replies into the record. The grand jury report contained four findings and three recommendations. County staff told the board it agreed with findings that the Secretary of State and the Tulare County Registrar of Voters provide substantial oversight and that existing checks and balances minimize the chance of large-scale fraud. Staff also agreed that further public information and volunteer recruitment would be beneficial.

On the grand jury’s fourth finding — that personal-identification requirements (residency addresses, email and phone number requirements) serve as a strong safeguard against fraudulent registrations — county staff said they partially disagreed. Sotelo cited federal and state registration rules noted in the draft: “Title 52 of the United States Code section 21038 and California Elections Code section 2150” (as read into the record) require first-time registrants to provide a valid driver’s license or state identification number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number; if none are available the state assigns a unique identifier. Sotelo’s presentation clarified that email and phone information are optional and that these optional fields add little value to preventing fraudulent registrations.

On recommendations, the county agreed to implement a fact sheet to inform voters and dispel common misconceptions, with a target implementation date of January 2026 ahead of the primary and general elections. The board’s response said the Registrar of Voters had already implemented a volunteer recruitment campaign and regular outreach (job fairs, senior events, flyers in public venues, outreach to employers such as Target and Kohl’s) and therefore marked Recommendation 2 as implemented. The county declined to adopt Recommendation 3 (distributing information via monthly utility bills and regular presentations to churches), citing cost and limited benefit and noting existing outreach practices could accomplish the aims.

Supervisor Eddie Valero moved to approve the draft response; Supervisor Dennis Townsend seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 4-0, with Supervisor Larry McCarrie absent. Sotelo said the formal response will be transmitted to the presiding judge, the Hon. Nathan Eid, within the required period.","The Board approved its formal response to the 2024–25 Tulare County Grand Jury report titled 'election integrity.' County staff agreed with most findings, partially disagreed with one finding about identification safeguards, and committed to a fact sheet and ongoing outreach about election procedures and volunteer recruitment.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6701949,"Tulare County approves letter backing Balch Park Pack Station operators amid access dispute with CAL FIRE",204,1930000,2134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d&start=1930&end=2134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d/thumbnail_1930000.jpg","/articles/6701949/Tulare-County/California/Tulare-County-approves-letter-backing-Balch-Park-Pack-Station-operators-amid-access-dispute-with-CAL-FIRE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701949-d6a275936a37b6a7531c2147c83f49bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774866932&Signature=bi3NIM8oiWifpunk4LHTljeMCi5jdCmNr8O9dOp3SUA9284rgk4zHEhIACNB5XqGJ8HSkRDMqTuP1Af0RsDe3ILJSJ2-9KX954x3fEnHbVPZOWcQ~3oaRVePHxPYQJPwPGYh8kZE7U2cgbani6znP2r53gs1RM7pKAzrZ29E5Fw67KJ29BPFG1B6XbIsaeyH7JTsqucJaIO6faDQubcy-g4EUz2DKD4YZCs5erT99GMGWQ0WC9KcasxQycABdIrFYOD8PwFKrtDTA4Z4LrVKu-0TCtxelt11VsTLwQyOqNLFNAueCxiA1qy1RCLzO4FCd67siqOk~MTG6s~-uqndeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on July 15 voted to send a letter to CAL FIRE supporting the Balch Park Pack Station’s operators and asking the agency to restore access to essential on-site facilities or otherwise enable continued operations.

Israel Sotelo, chief of staff to the Tulare County Board, said recent CAL FIRE modifications to the operator’s lease have restricted access to on-site facilities and threatened continued operation. Sotelo asked the board to approve a letter asking CAL FIRE to reverse or modify the changes; following Supervisor Dennis Townsend’s request, staff amended the draft to add Secretary Wade Crowfoot and the entire Tulare County state delegation as carbon-copy recipients.

An economic development official from the county, who identified themselves as overseeing county tourism and economic development, told the board Balch Park and its pack station are important to regional outdoor recreation and attract visitors who might otherwise lack mobility access to the backcountry. The staff member said the Southern Sierra has relatively few pack stations — contrasting the county’s supply with Inyo County’s 11 pack stations — and noted that one nearby pack station lost four buildings in the SQF fire, increasing the local importance of Balch Park.

Townsend told the board the issue has generated an unusually high volume of public emails and letters; he also said the City of Porterville planned to send its own letter of support. The board then voted to approve the letter with the expanded CC list.

The motion was made by Supervisor Townsend, seconded by Supervisor Eddie Valero, and passed 4-0 with Supervisor Larry McCarrie not voting because he was not in attendance. The approved letter asks CAL FIRE to restore access or make other arrangements that will enable effective continued operation of the pack station, the staff report said.","The Board approved a county letter urging CAL FIRE to restore or otherwise enable pack station operators’ access to facilities at Balch Park, citing tourism, limited southern Sierra pack-station capacity and strong public interest.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6701934,"Board authorizes legal defense in two Tulare County personal-injury cases",100,6464000,6564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d&start=6464&end=6564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d/thumbnail_6464000.jpg","/articles/6701934/Tulare-County/California/Board-authorizes-legal-defense-in-two-Tulare-County-personal-injury-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701934-d14e2d2c1986d39c75835230fe8037e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1774866932&Signature=hYAMfj-5y40S1aaL8y4hS-2l4~DmcNkneSWSSOW8tCFQsgISu4~t-aN3nXip8oRnuTwqgNqkoXEMLEqob5J-30dRGZ5z~EWYA14JDv3fWrVrgz9heGq6AgSwugIh02MPIErSZhkrK4eWlf3Gsv449Zs4fn6Ty323yMgHLq4FcGpTRXRg-ngXFR0jlgH4LouUtwvuYvbGHPVK~si1etqz9sVSNHmUbeuxujkpy9gy4Cs9TUHyIBwAgWFpfhkLXNPONoHBL88oVJcvHazjD~KT~ErAxCiFec5KgiwuU-f17LDx4oFBppa2KwmRYCrKoRinLmoeH5XV5t8JSWHPGJxuOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a closed session on July 15, Tulare County’s board reported that it directed county legal counsel to defend and authorize the defense — with a reservation of rights — of individually named defendants in two pending Superior Court actions.

County counsel announced the board’s direction to defend in Monique Alejandres v. City of Visalia et al., Tulare County Superior Court case number VCU322060, an action the report described as alleging a dangerous condition and personal injury. The motion to defend was made by Supervisor Dennis Townsend and seconded by Supervisor Amy Shucklian; the board’s vote was reported as 4-0 with Supervisor Larry McCarrie absent.

The board gave the same direction — defense and authorization to defend with a reservation of rights — in Elizabeth Leone v. County of Tulare et al., Tulare County Superior Court case number VCU322061, which the report likewise described as an allegation of a dangerous condition. That motion was also moved by Townsend and seconded by Shucklian and passed 4-0 with McCarrie absent.

County counsel concluded the closed-session report by confirming both actions; no additional details about the suits were disclosed in open session.","In closed session the board directed county counsel to defend and authorize defense for individually named defendants in two Superior Court cases alleging dangerous conditions and personal injury; both directives passed 4-0.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6701939,"Probation chief outlines services, mobile unit and reentry plans; board proclaims July 2025 Probation Services Week",1171,2582000,3753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d&start=2582&end=3753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391198-3ede186c9122fb4e64d4c01f157a2a8d/thumbnail_2582000.jpg","/articles/6701939/Tulare-County/California/Probation-chief-outlines-services-mobile-unit-and-reentry-plans-board-proclaims-July-2025-Probation-Services-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701939-99b02b669d9724d2ae1438c158562acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1774866932&Signature=DCEI1oF5geJms3bWfvi94tcvzX-dhvh0UK6kNI7Vtdy0zH~e-Z1ThGM1EBwOiMfWwL4AzXxPLAbqsQmMuVuNC-ZkANwaZa8LmzgqtztPv4dxWU2dHq~dXZva-lWM1484JRGpmutdWEbC9h2oqPPhxRhVCWSh8bnihr1-Hil55OPhZOqCyyocU-eFKe7rrIbbMi3UGVLdvOyH2xDjl-KxO4QA64bXSbsK6TF30InP5qYf~rCv25olA9Aa7smXVwBM41cGUZTgk0o-WHYytZrjanoqBTp-Rtk8~cVgLA56dn2bBH~YSyTGAcbLJpgnfJqtl61uyw~SBU4XC0LWyg6V0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kelly Vernon, chief probation officer, told the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on July 15 that the probation department has expanded services, reduced vacancies and launched a mobile services unit intended to reach unhoused and remote populations.

Vernon described the department’s organizational structure, seven operational divisions, and recent initiatives including an adult transition unit (launched in 2023) that works inside the jail to provide pre-release connections to community services; a “Connections” one-stop hub (launched 2022) that co-locates partner agencies and sees roughly 700–710 clients per month, and a mobile service center that began outreach last month. Vernon said the department has about 384 allocated positions (394 counting extra-help staff), has improved recruitment and retention since 2021, and has reduced the vacancy rate to a 10-year low.

Program highlights included partnerships with GEO Reentry (contracted supervision and programming for medium- and low-risk clients), specialized training requirements for staff (24–40 hours annually depending on role), and technology upgrades to streamline hiring and purchasing processes. Vernon also noted a Cognizant AI pilot contract the board recently approved and said the department plans to implement it cautiously.

Vernon reported a relatively low average recidivism rate of about 14.1 percent compared with state averages cited around 54 percent, while acknowledging pandemic-era data distortions. Future projects cited included reinstituting police-probation partnerships with local police departments and opening a library in the juvenile detention facility to support longer-term in-custody programming for youth now held longer under state changes.

After the briefing, the board presented a proclamation recognizing July 2025 as Probation Services Week in Tulare County; the proclamation, read into the record, praised probation’s role in connecting clients to services, balancing accountability and rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Several supervisors commended the department’s community integration, recruitment successes and the mobile unit; the board toured the mobile van before reconvening to other scheduled items.

No formal policy changes or funding decisions were taken at the meeting; the proclamation appears on the record as a recognition of departmental work and will be part of the department’s public materials.","Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon briefed the board on staffing, recidivism trends, a mobile service unit and partnerships; the board presented a proclamation recognizing July 2025 as Probation Services Week and toured the department’s mobile unit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tulare County board approves Terra Bella sewer rate increase to cover operations and debt

Board approves Tulare County response to grand jury 'election integrity' report; staff to publish fact sheet by January 2026

Tulare County approves letter backing Balch Park Pack Station operators amid access dispute with CAL FIRE

Board authorizes legal defense in two Tulare County personal-injury cases

Probation chief outlines services, mobile unit and reentry plans; board proclaims July 2025 Probation Services Week