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Tulare County chair touts modernization, public-safety investments in 2026 State of the County
Summary
Chair Shucklean presented Tulare County's 2026 State of the County, highlighting a major increase in assessed value, a new county website and GIS tools, expanded public-safety infrastructure, and investments in behavioral health and parks.
Chair Amy Shucklean delivered the Tulare County Board of Supervisors’ 2026 State of the County address on March 3, summarizing accomplishments and plans across county departments. She said the county’s “net assessed [value] has grown by 60%, adding $3 billion and bringing the total to nearly $53 billion,” and emphasized investments in technology, roads and public safety.
Shucklean said county staff launched a new county website in August 2025 designed for mobile and accessibility improvements, and the assessor’s office integrated GIS mapping to respond to groundwater sustainability changes. She described operational upgrades including an automated mobile-home clearance process in the tax collector’s office and increased online filings for business property statements, noting “in 2025, 60% of filings were submitted online.”
The chair outlined public-safety projects including the start of construction for a new Gan Fire Station 7 in July 2025 and plans to add a hand crew to support wildland operations. She referenced a new coroner’s office ribbon cutting and an expanded sheriff substation. On behavioral health, Shucklean said the county is investing roughly $11 million in grants and matching funds for a behavioral health urgent care center with a target opening in late 2026 and noted a planned 136‑bed mental health rehabilitation facility with more than $15.6 million in acquisition and renovation investment planned for late 2027.
The address also covered infrastructure and services: more than 75 miles of chip seal, four miles of overlays, 500 miles of striping, thousands of repaired signs and refreshed pavement markings, and parks and library projects including preservation work on the historic Arosi Carnegie branch. Shucklean closed by thanking county staff and community partners and by reaffirming the board’s focus on disciplined budgeting and continued modernization.
The remarks were delivered at the start of the March 3 board meeting; the board later continued with routine agenda and recognition items.
