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Tulare County board approves grand‑jury response, directs defense in closed session and appoints interim agricultural commissioner
Summary
At the June 30 meeting the board approved a response to a grand jury report on mobile food units, noting a 25% fee increase to reach cost recovery; in closed session the board authorized legal defense in a motor‑vehicle case and appointed Christopher Greer as interim agricultural commissioner/sealer effective July 29, 2026.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors took several formal actions on June 30 during open session and reported two closed‑session outcomes.
Grand jury response and food‑cart permitting: Israel Sotelo, chief of staff to the board, presented the county’s draft response to a grand jury report titled "Are Food Carts in Compliance with the Law?" Sotelo read Finding 4 (current staffing levels may be inadequate for the size of the program) and Recommendation 2 (continue to evaluate staffing levels and potential fee increases). Sotelo said the county agreed with the finding and had implemented the recommendation, noting that the board approved a 25% fee increase for mobile food unit preparation permits on April 14, 2026, which the county expects will bring permitting to 100% cost recovery. The board approved Sotelo’s draft response and authorized the chair to sign (motion by Supervisor Makari, second by Supervisor Vanderpool; motion passed 4–0, Supervisor Townsend absent).
Closed session report‑outs: County counsel reported two actions from closed session. First, the board directed counsel to defend and authorize the defense of individually named defendants (with a reservation of rights) in the matter Graciela Salas Fernandez et al v. Joshua Michael Gomez et al, Tulare County Superior Court case number VCU332830 (a motor vehicle accident case). That motion was made by Supervisor Larry McCarrie, seconded by Supervisor Eddie Valero and passed 4–0 with Supervisor Townsend absent. Second, the board appointed Christopher Greer as interim agricultural commissioner/sealer for a six‑month period effective July 29, 2026; the motion was made by Supervisor Pete Vanderpool, seconded by Supervisor Larry McCarrie and passed 4–0 with Supervisor Townsend absent.
Consent calendar: Earlier in the meeting the board approved its consent calendar (items 5–39) by a 4–0 vote with Supervisor Townsend absent.
The meeting adjourned after the closed‑session report‑outs; the board’s next regular meeting is July 21, 2026.
