Board approves $102 million five-year capital improvement plan, addresses cost increases on key projects
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Summary
Supervisors approved the county's five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2025–26 through FY2029–30, including a recommended funding package and requests to cover over-budget items on several active projects; the board authorized the CIP and a mix of general fund, millennium fund and department financing.
Tulare County supervisors on July 22 approved the countywide five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2025–26 through 2029–30 and agreed to funding recommendations and gap financing for several active projects that came in over the original budgets.
GSA Director Brooke Sisk and Deputy Director Kyle Taylor briefed the board on completed projects, active work and new requests. The proposed CIP forecasts approximately $102 million in projects for the coming fiscal year and identifies a longer-term pipeline of projects (estimated at roughly $50 million more) to address building renovations, deferred maintenance and new facilities, including fire station improvements across 28 county locations.
Over-budget projects and funding recommendations Staff highlighted eight in-progress projects needing additional funds this fiscal year: - Goshen Fire Station: Construction bids came in about $1 million over the baseline. Staff recommended the county general fund cover the additional cost; total estimated project cost is $8.4 million. - Tulare District Office remodel: Bids exceeded the budget by roughly $1.6 million; HHSA will fully fund the project and has transferred the necessary funds to the capital budget. - Animal Services expansion: Initial scope would have added roughly 20 kennels; staff and departments recommended doubling the scope to about 50 kennels. The expanded scope would cost an estimated additional $2 million, bringing the project total to about $3 million. Proposed funding sources include county general fund, millennium fund proceeds and undesignated fund balance. - Civic Center Cal Water connection (Government Plaza): Funded with ARPA but projected to be about $300,000 over budget; staff recommended covering the overage with general fund dollars. - Assessor/Clerk-Recorder relocation and tenant improvements: Moving the department from the courthouse to repurposed space required more extensive work than anticipated (full interior demolition/reconstruction, building-wide corrections, and elevated furniture/glazing costs). Bids showed a $3.3 million shortfall; the department will fund the project and the total project cost is estimated at $9.3 million. - County Counsel annex, RMA reconfiguration and related smaller projects: staff recommended using designated fund balances or general fund to cover smaller overages.
New projects and court facility needs The CIP also recommended several new projects: a state-funded behavioral health match (local 10% match required) for the former Casa Grande site; a phased refurbishment of seven Visalia Courthouse elevators (total $2.3 million; county share estimated $1.5 million and Judicial Council share about $826,000); modernization planning for the courthouse data center (initial $300,000 budgeting); and a museum blacksmith shop renovation supported by Tulare County Historical Society fundraising.
Funding summary and board action Staff recommended using a mix of sources for FY25–26: $4 million from the county general fund, $3 million from the Millennium Capital Project Fund (tobacco settlement proceeds), $3 million from undesignated fund balances and the remainder from department contributions and other program revenue. The board voted to approve the CIP.
Board discussion and next steps Board members and the CAO commended the sustained capital investment (six-year facility investments exceed $140 million, including parks). Staff noted a volatile construction marketplace and higher furniture and materials costs contributed to several bid overruns. The board approved the plan and directed staff to proceed with the recommended funding allocations and phasing; departments will return with detailed implementation steps and any financing agreements.
Ending The board approved the CIP 4–0 (Supervisor Shuckling not voting due to absence). Staff will begin procurement and construction on funded projects and continue to prioritize deferred maintenance and safety-related building work across county facilities.
