Around Tulare County

Tulare County unveiled a new economic development website at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau said the Board of Supervisors has had a longstanding vision for the county to develop an economic development website that pulls together relevant industry information about local agribusiness, workforce development partners, site selection, zoning assistance and other factors considered essential to implement an effective campaign to foster increased economic development in Tulare County.

Board Chairman Allen Ishida made economic development a focal point when he delivered his State of the County speech on Tuesday.

“We will actively market the many benefits Tulare County has to offer businesses that are ready to expand or relocate,” Chairman Ishida said. “We have a young workforce; 30 percent of our population is 18 years old or younger, and eager to find meaningful work.”

The website, www.tularecountyeconomicdevelopment.org, will go live on Wednesday.

2012 State of the County Address
By Allen Ishida, Chairman
Tulare County Board of Supervisors

Good morning and thank you for your attendance at today’s meeting. It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for the second time.

I would like to publicly thank past Chairman Mike Ennis and fellow Board members, elected officials, our CAO and his staff, and County of Tulare department heads and employees for their collective efforts, contributions, and leadership during 2011. Tulare County government truly has a diverse and highly skilled workforce.

This morning I would like to touch on Tulare County’s financial situation, share some success stories from last year, and focus on a few of Tulare County’s key issues moving forward.

A film crew begins transforming the rolling hills above Porterville into a small village English village this week – all in preparation for The Devout.

This new film, written and directed by Mairin Hart takes place in the 1400’s in England, when the plague was ravaging though Europe and infecting and killing everyone in sight. The film follows one woman, as she must risk everything to save her friends and family from the horrible disease of the Black Death.

Currently the film is in its final stages of pre-production, and is looking for a number of key essentials for production.
 
• 20-30 local actors, willing to be in the film
• 2-4 horses, with owners willing to be in the film
• A number of different farm animals, Chickens, Goats, and Sheep
• Catering, for crew and cast during filming
• Security to have on set, during production
• Assistants with the construction of the medieval village
• RV’s, generators, firewood, weathered wood for construction

Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita announced today residents should be aware of pest control companies or persons who aren’t properly licensed.

Per State law, pest control businesses must register with the County Agricultural Commissioner where work is performed. The Tulare County Ag Commissioner’s Office investigates violations of the Structural Pest Control Act and related laws and regulations and uses administrative civil penalty actions when violations are found.

“Since serious health risks can arise from the improper use of pesticides indoors, there are stringent regulations for licensing, examining, training, and professional practice standards,” Kinoshita said. “Always ask to see proper certification before agreeing to service.”

Warming Centers (English)

Warming Centers (Spanish)

December 16, 2011

The Tulare County Office of Emergency Services (OES), in conjunction with local cities and community partners, are urging citizens to prepare for the incoming inclement weather and have released a full list of Tulare County warming centers that are now activated and operational.

December 13, 2011

Tulare County’s agriculture community has a tool to use to keep their farms running when an electrical outage occurs during extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen incidents. 

The Electrical Agriculture Wind Machine/Ag-Well Emergency Program provides a 24-hour, on-call service to farmers – Southern California Edison (SCE) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) customers – when an electrical outage occurs. The program is a partnership between the two utility companies and the Tulare County Resource Management Agency’s (RMA) Building Department, who issues the appropriate electrical permits when an outage occurs.

December 9, 2011

Tulare County and its largest employee union, SEIU, have reached an impasse.

The impasse stems from a decision in September by the Board of Supervisors to suspend a 40-hour furlough program for its employees for Fiscal Year 2011-12. Nine Tulare County bargaining units accepted the furlough suspension with the exception of SEIU. In lieu of the furlough suspension, SEIU representatives made a number of counter proposals which included discontinuing a freeze on merit increases and promotions, among other items.

Tulare County and SEIU were unable to reach an alternate agreement and has reached impasse. The Tulare County Human Resources & Development Department will recommend at the Dec. 13 Board of Supervisors meeting to make no changes to terms and conditions of employment. Approval of the recommendation would mean the 40-hour furlough program would still apply to SEIU for the 2011-12 Fiscal Year.

December 8, 2011

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Ennis today requested all United States flags to be flown at half-staff at all County buildings in remembrance of Spc. Thomas J. Mayberry of Springville.

“Our thoughts are prayers go out to the family of Thomas J. Mayberry and all the families who have lost young men and women who died serving our country,” Chairman Ennis said. “Tulare County will fly our flags at half-staff and encourage individuals, businesses, and other organizations to join us in remembrance of Spc. Mayberry for his sacrifice to our Country.”