“The dedication of Farmersville’s educators to nurturing our children’s education is commendable. Their fight for fair wages is a fight for the heart of our educational system. As a strong advocate for social justice and a candidate for Assembly District 33, I stand with our teachers, students, and their families during this pivotal time. Fair compensation and support for our educators are essential investments in the future of our community,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz underscored the power of community in effecting change. “Teachers are the cornerstone of our educational system. Their struggle for better conditions and fair wages is a struggle for all of us. It’s imperative for us as a community to rally behind them. My commitment goes beyond vocal support; it is to work tirelessly for legislative changes that honor and provide for our educators.”

This declaration of support from Angel Ruiz highlights the broader challenges faced by educators across California. Ruiz is committed to promoting educational excellence and supporting teachers, advocating for their crucial role in fostering a prosperous and equitable society.

For more information about Angel Ruiz and his campaign for Assembly District 33, please visit http://angelruizad33.com.

The post Angel Ruiz Stands in Solidarity with Farmersville Teachers, Students, and Their Families for Fair Wages appeared first on Valley Voice.

When I filed to run for council in 2018, I had a list of priorities that was created after speaking with many of you. Mission Accomplished; Eventual overhaul of our parks, six-year plan for repaved residential streets, infrastructure improvements, soon to be built fire station and transit center, a beautification project at the city entry way at 198, a nearly completed and improved North Farmersville Blvd between Walnut Ave. to 198, affordable housing, a new circular city seal and a plan to build a downtown of which many of you were surveyed in regards. You will continue to see change in the years to come.

Now I will seek a seat on the school board. I am for challenging our most highly performing students to those with some learning difficulty, as well as building a relationship with COS, Fresno State, and the Ivy League Project. I support teachers and their professional development should they seek it; I am for facility sharing with community and focusing on vocational and special education efforts in the district. Student success is the priority.

Macareno’s late brother Martin served previously on the board and as its president.

The post Ruben Macareno statement – Declining City Council re-election bid for School Board try appeared first on Valley Voice.

Los Arroyos will provide permanent affordable rental housing to working people in Farmersville, and is located within walking distance of shopping, schools, and recreation. It is a highly energy efficient and transit-friendly project as well, with sustainable features including solar PV, water conservation, and a grey water recycling system. In addition, Los Arroyos will include a vanpool program in partnership with the California Vanpool Authority that will transport residents from Los Arroyos and the surrounding community to and from work. The project’s solar panel system will offset the power used in the common area, residential loads, and community center, making Los Arroyos a grid neutral zero net energy project.  

The project design and solar PV will result in reduced utility bills for residents and the property, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Los Arroyos will include sidewalks, pedestrian improvements, and bike lanes. Self-Help Enterprises was also able to provide funds to the City of Farmersville to construct a Multi-Modal Hub on Front Street in Farmersville, which will act as a transit center for Visalia Transit Bus lines that run through the community and be a stop in the future Cross Valley Corridor. 

“Self-Help Enterprises has a mission of working together to build and sustain healthy homes and communities. Los Arroyos will be a space where families can thrive, with access to opportunities for work, recreation, education, transportation, and shopping. We are proud to be partnering with our friends at the city and county to make this project a reality,” said Tom Collishaw, President, and CEO of SHE. 

Los Arroyos has two phases – Los Arroyos I and Los Arroyos II.  

Los Arroyos I (54 Units) is being financed through a combination of Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program funds via California’s Cap-and-Trade proceeds, Infill Infrastructure Grant Program, and Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding from the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), and private equity raised through the federal low-income housing tax credit program. The AHSC program is administered through a partnership between the Strategic Growth Council and HCD. This phase is scheduled to begin construction in November 2022 and be complete in November 2023. 

Los Arroyos II (54 units) will serve Farmworker Households exclusively and is being financed through a combination of Rural Housing 514 loan (USDA), Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program (FWHG) from HCD, Non-Competitive Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds provided by City of Farmersville and Tulare County, and private equity raised through the federal low-income housing tax credit program. This phase will begin construction in April 2022 and be complete in April 2023. 

Both phases of Los Arroyos feature one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with a 3,000 sq. ft. community building, playground, and open space for residents. The community building includes a computer lab, which will be available to adults and children for schoolwork and educational activities. Self-Help Enterprises will offer a robust onsite resident services program that will include job training, health and wellness services, financial training, homebuyer education, and a variety of youth after-school activities. Monthly net rents, ranging from $392 to $906, are determined based on unit size and income. These below-market monthly rental costs mean that Self-Help Enterprises is providing an affordable housing opportunity to residents. Los Arroyos is the first affordable rental community built by Self-Help Enterprises in the City of Farmersville. Los Arroyos is among 47 affordable apartment rental communities owned by Self-Help Enterprises serving 1,948 families throughout the San Joaquin Valley.  

“Farmersville is surrounded by rich farmland with many creeks emanating and is home to about 11,000 people, many earning their living by working in the fields and nearby packing houses.  Just under 26% of Farmersville residents live below the poverty line and many families are forced to double up in overcrowded conditions to pay the rent,” stated Paul Boyer, Mayor of Farmersville. “Hard working families need a decent and affordable place to live to have a stable environment for their children and to thrive.  We are proud to be a partner with Self-Help Enterprises in the development of Los Arroyos to bring this much-needed housing opportunity to families who need and deserve affordable housing. On top of all that, as part of this project, we are excited that the State of California has granted funds to assist not only the residents of Los Arroyos with their transportation needs but all Farmersville residents as well. Sidewalks and bicycle paths will be built, and alternate forms of transit will be made available for safer and affordable ways for our residents to get to their jobs, schools, health care facilities and elsewhere!” 

“With the ever-growing need for affordable housing, the City of Farmersville is excited for this partnership with Self Help Enterprises to develop this new residential community,” stated City Manager, Jennifer Gomez. “They have brought similar successful projects to other communities in Tulare County, so we are fortunate to have this relationship with them.  As part of this development, Self Help Enterprises was also able to secure grant funding for the city to construct a multi-modal hub for future transit needs. The city has been looking at both current and future needs for our residents, and these projects are indicators of that commitment.  The City of Farmersville thanks Self Help Enterprises for this partnership and looks forward to the completion of these projects.”

The post Self-Help Enterprises celebrates groundbreaking of new housing in Farmersville appeared first on Valley Voice.

From the Campaign to elect Ruben Macareno

FARMERSVILLE — City Councilman Ruben Macareno announced today that he will be running for the redrawn 33^rd California State Assembly District seat representing Tulare, Kings and a portion of Fresno County.

“The Valley truly is home. I am familiar of the highlights and its lowlights. Bringing the district out of the shadows of southern California, the Bay Area and Sacramento is a necessary goal to address our many issues of need. My experience is well rounded as an elected official, a chamber director, work in media and the non-profit arena,” said Macareno.

As a councilman he has led the charge of bringing immediate improvements to his city and setting up a long term plan to develop a downtown and infrastructure to attract business and housing developments. “I was raised here and the city stalled in its overall growth. There are great things happening now.” He cites his many years of diverse experience, activism, and commitment to the valley as his preparation to be effective and deliver for the district as a member of the state assembly.

Before being elected to the Farmersville City Council, Macareno was the Chairman of the Tulare County Democratic Party, had a long-time newsroom career at the Los Angeles Times, worked locally for Proteus, Inc and in Washington DC for the National Association of Latino Elected Officials and for the late Congressman Edward R Roybal.

He serves on the Tulare County Association of Governments, The Council of Cities, the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the California League of Cities.

His “I Care” campaign will focus on affordable housing, good paying jobs and general resources to assist our ag economy such as improved rural roads, the distribution of water and building a new digital economy for the area.

“Sustaining and developing our quality of life for all our families and communities is important to keep in the forefront,” said Macareno.

The post Councilman Macareno Launches His “I Care” Campaign for Assembly appeared first on Valley Voice.

Motion Lacked Specificity

Attorneys defending the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) assert the officers were acting lawfully when they placed Farmersville residents Brian Perez and Alba Dominguez in handcuffs and held them at gunpoint outside their home while conducting a search of the interior on the morning of December 16, 2019, and they hoped Judge Nathan Ide would grant a motion for summary dismissal of the case against their clients on that basis. He declined.

On Monday, Ide confirmed his denial of that request, which was revealed in a tentative ruling issued on December 3. In his ruling, Ide found county attorneys failed to follow court rules by clearly stating in their request for dismissal what portion of the law allowed their clients to hold Perez and Dominguez–who were cooperative, constrained and unarmed–in an aggressive manner.

“The court will not guess as to the issues sought to be summarily adjudicated without compliance with the California Rules of Court,” Ide wrote.

The ruling marks the removal of the final barrier to the case’s advancement, and a jury trial is scheduled in Ide’s courtroom beginning the morning of January 10.

“We look forward to the trial,” said John Sarsfield, a Visalia civil rights attorney representing the couple.

Arrest or Detainment?

The central argument of the suit depends on whether a jury hearing the matter will see the treatment of Perez and Dominguez as a detention or an arrest. If holding the couple is ruled to be a mere detention, the officers are immune from civil lawsuits; however, the same treatment of Perez and Dominguez may constitute gross violations of the couples’ rights if they were under arrest.

The events that transpired on December 16, 2019 as retold in plaintiff’s filings are undisputed by the TCSO and its attorneys.

When deputies arrived at the couple’s home, the pair were in the middle of preparing to leave for work. On what was a typically cold winter morning, the half-dressed couple were handcuffed and held at gunpoint for a period of 20 to 40 minutes in the street outside. During that time, the couple informed the deputies they were searching the wrong address.

Perez and Dominguez would later prove they were in Las Vegas at the time the alleged crimes that led deputies to seek a search warrant for their home took place.

“The county argues that the false imprisonment claim of plaintiffs fails because the detainment of plaintiffs was … under lawful privilege,” Ide wrote. “Defendants further argue that Government Code section 821.6 provides a complete defense to battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

False Arrest, Assault and Infliction of Emotional Distress

Sarsfield will argue actions of the deputies exceeded mere detention due to an over-aggressive handling of Perez and Dominguez, the handcuffing of the couple, and deputies’ ongoing threat of deadly force after the couple was restrained.

Further, the deputies’ decision to isolate the couple from one another after instructing them not to talk to each other, and the Mirandizing of Perez–an explanation of legal rights normally reserved only for arrestees–also show TCSO deputies considered the couple under arrest, Sarfield will contend in court. He intends to prove deputies acted outside the scope of their authority in the way they detained Perez and Dominguez, falsely arresting and imprisoning them, assaulting them, and intentionally inflicting emotional distress by continuing the behavior after it was obvious the couple presented no threat to the officers present.

“They had no legal cause to stick guns in the faces of our clients,” Sarsfield said previously. “They knew they were unarmed.”

The parties to the suit had a last formal opportunity to conclude the matter before trial during a settlement conference scheduled for Wednesday, December 8. However, the parties failed to reach a compromise, and the trial will proceed on January 10.

The post Judge: TCSO excessive force lawsuit may proceed appeared first on Valley Voice.

After much anticipation, the first of three recently approved cannabis storefronts is finally open in Farmersville, and business is booming.

By the time Token Farms opened its doors, a line of hundreds of eager customers already stretched off the property and past neighboring businesses.

“It’s great. It’s a huge line,” said Token’s owner Jennifer Mendonca. “Hopefully, we can get them all in.”

With only 10 customers allowed in the showroom at a time, the wait to get inside was well over an hour, yet a carnival-like atmosphere prevailed as the line moved forward.

Perhaps it was the range of cannabis flowers, oils, tinctures and edibles waiting inside that kept spirits high.

One Open, Two to Follow

While Token Farms offers essentially the same range of products available at other cannabis stores, the way those products are displayed is different, with customers able to make their selections without a budtender standing by. Samples of the various strains of cannabis flowers are presented in small containers that allow buyers to closely inspect them visually as well as by their scent.

“What we think defines us is our layout,” Mendonca said. “It’s laid out for users by a user.”

Tulare County’s only other
recreational cannabis salespoint, Valley Pure in Woodlake, displays its wares behind glass counters.

Currently, Token Farms is the only operating cannabis business in Farmersville, but that won’t be true for long. Just two doors down, a
second location of Valley Pure is putting the finishing touches on its Farmersville storefront. That shop should be open by mid-November. A third store–Platinum Exchange–has been granted a license by the Farmerville City Council but has not yet announced an opening date.

Heightened Security

While the crowd was mellow, both armed security guards and members of the Farmersville Police Department were on hand for Token Farms’ opening day event. FPD officers reported “nothing too crazy” in the behavior of customers and they foresee no problems being generated by the new businesses.

“As long as it’s kept professional,” said FPD officer Teresa Moore. “Even Woodlake has one, and they’re not having any problems.”

In fact, tax revenue generated by Valley Pure in Woodlake has helped augment that city’s police force, allowing the Woodlake City Council to provide them with additional equipment and other resources.

Valley Pure Coming to Lindsay

While most of those who turned out for the opening of Token Farms were there to buy, some came just to see the operation in action. Among them was Lindsay City Councilwoman Yolanda Flores. Lindsay recently granted Valley Pure a license to open a storefront in the former Sierra View Mall.

“I wanted to see what it looked like,” Flores said.

Valley Pure’s Lindsay location should be open no later than January, according to Flores.

“They told us December, but I don’t think so,” she said.

While Lindsay had resisted the trend of allowing legal cannabis sales inside its city limits, Flores said it was a desire to undermine the illicit drug trade that motivated her to give approval for pot sales.

“I wanted a cannabis business that was regulated,” she said. “I was tired of seeing people selling out of cars and bikes.”

Flores also expressed concerns about the purity of blackmarket cannabis, saying licensing a trusted business would alleviate that fear.

Seeing How It Goes

Token Farms did not apply for a license to operate in Lindsay, nor has Mendonca attempted to expand her business to any of the other Valley cities now welcoming cannabis enterprises.

“Just this one, until we see how it goes,” she said.

After spending two years operating Token Farms as a delivery service, Mendonca also felt a need to play fair with other entrepreneurs looking to enter the lucrative cannabis market.

“We didn’t want to inhale all those licenses and not use them,” she said.

Sales tax revenue isn’t the only impetus driving cities to embrace the newly legal cannabis industry. The storefronts are also bringing much needed jobs. Token Farms, Mendonca said, has already hired 17 employees.

Customers Approve

Kenny Molina, a Visalia resident and one of the first customers to make a purchase at Token Farms’ opening day, was pleased with the experience and the product he purchased.

“It’s pretty nice,” he said.

While Farmersville’s cannabis district, located near the Highway 198 exit in the city’s industrial zone, is more convenient for Molina than traveling to Woodlake, he’d like to see Visalia give its OK to recreational cannabis sales.

“It’s good for the economy,” he said. “I think Visalia should do it. It’s better than drinking. It keeps people calm.”

The post Farmersville’s first cannabis store, Token Farms, opens appeared first on Valley Voice.

State approval is the only obstacle left to Farmersville becoming Tulare County’s new cannabis sales center.

City manager Jennifer Gomez says two of the three recreational cannabis storefronts already approved by the Farmersville City Council are awaiting their sales licenses from the state and then will be ready to open their doors.

Valley Pure, which operates the county’s only recreational cannabis sales point in Woodlake, will likely be the first to open its doors in Farmersville.

“They have their building permits and are doing some remodeling,” Gomez said. “They’re waiting for their state permit, then they’ll be ready to go.”

Location Tipped Scales

The three businesses will be located in the city’s industrial center near Highway 198 and Farmersville Boulevard.

Requiring the trio of businesses–Valley Pure, Token Farms and Platinum Connection–to hang their shingles at the edge of town, according to Gomez, was key to getting the city council to approve the idea of cannabis sales in the town of 11,000 residents.

“The council didn’t want it in our downtown,” she said. “At that location, it will allow easy access from the highway. I don’t know that if we didn’t have that location the council would have allowed it.”

Following Woodlake’s Lead

While Gomez is uncertain how much revenue bringing cannabis businesses to Farmersville will generate, she expects their returns to beat those of Woodlake. The city hopes for great returns despite not knowing how much future cannabis sales tax revenue to expect.

“It’s really hard to know at this point. We just look at Woodlake to give us some kind of idea,” Gomez said. “I just expect to exceed what Woodlake has because of our location and because we have three dispensaries.”

Woodlake is currently the only city in Tulare County that allows recreational cannabis sales. In its first year of business there, Valley Pure’s flagship location generated more than $400,000 in sales tax, much of which has been spent improving public safety for the town. Tulare may soon join them, with a ballot measure on recreational cannabis sales in that town set for 2020.

5% Pot Tax

Farmersville is also mimicking the way Woodlake taxes the newly legal intoxicant.

“We’re also 5%. We just matched Woodlake’s tax rate,” Gomez said. “We wanted to make sure we were being competitive with any neighboring agency. They were the only one close by. No reason to go lower than them.”

Wes Hardin, manager of Valley Pure, previously said Woodlake’s middle-of-the-road tax rate was one of the main reasons the business chose to open its doors there. Other California cities have set their cannabis sales tax rate as high as 10%.

Popular Idea

Other Valley cities are also getting on the recreational cannabis bandwagon.

In March of this year, about the same time Farmersville took the plunge, Hanford approved cannabis sales for recreational purposes, allowing two dispensaries to open in its downtown area and a pair of pot delivery businesses to operate out of the city’s industrial park.

Last month, Lemoore became the second Kings County city to approve the sale of recreational cannabis. Fresno has also approved sales of recreational cannabis, while the Visalia City Council continues to balk at the idea.

The increase in tax revenue seems to be the motivating force in welcoming cannabis dealers to town.

“I think that, honestly, the potential revenue we’d be getting in it is a large factor in it,” Gomez said. “We have various large projects around town, that revenue will allow it, and buying new equipment.”

Farmersville’s city manager also hopes cannabis sales will bring new businesses to town.

“It’s my hope that will encourage other development by the highway, as well,” she said.

Growing Industry

Storefronts aren’t the only cannabis-related industry Farmersville is welcoming. Again following Woodlake’s lead, Farmersville will consider allowing processing and the growing of cannabis inside the city limits. But, that remains a possibility for the future.

“We do allow cultivation, manufacturing, just no one has submitted any applications for those kind of businesses,” Gomez said.

Platinum Connection, which has yet to construct the building that will house it, has expressed interest in growing its own cannabis.

“In future, they’d like to have some facilities for cultivation,” Gomez said.

They apparently aren’t the only ones interested in growing cannabis in Farmersville.

“I know there is interest in doing cultivation, but no one has moved forward on doing an application for cultivation yet,” Gomez said.

Waiting on the State

Not only is Farmersville’s administration unsure how much revenue to expect from the sales of cannabis, it also doesn’t know when the flow of new cash will start. Gomez is hoping to see the new riches arriving no later than the start of next year, though it may not take that long.

“I’m honestly just waiting until January,” she said. “If I see anything come in sooner, I’ll be happy.”

Causing the confusion is the state-level bureaucracy. As with the approval of alcohol sales licenses, permits to sell recreational cannabis are controlled by the state government.

“I don’t know how long the state will take to issue these licenses,” Gomez said. “The dispensaries could be ready to go, just waiting for the state. They could be sitting here twiddling their thumbs. We don’t know how fast the state is issuing license.”

Not Counting Unhatched Chickens

While Gomez expects sales tax from cannabis to enrich the city’s coffers and improve the quality of life for Farmersville residents, she doesn’t believe it will bring radical changes to the city’s spending.

“Say (tax revenue is) like $500,000 a year. It sounds like a lot of money,” she said. “But, say we’re doing street improvements. They can be more than a million dollars.”

While Farmersville will be using the money cannabis sales generate for some large projects, it won’t be using those funds to hire new personnel.

“We’re not going to use it for salaries,” Gomez said. “We want to see if these businesses are going to stay.”

For now, there are no plans to spend revenue the city has yet to earn, but Gomez promises good things ahead for Farmersville.

“We’re being cautious with how we’re going to use that revenue,” she said. “We’re certainly going to put to good use.”

The post Farmersville poised to become cannabis center appeared first on Valley Voice.

Farmersville’s city manager, John Jansons, moved to manage a Northern California city in October. Exeter’s city manager, Randy Groom, has been hired as city manager for Visalia, as of the first of the year. And Exeter’s top cop, Cliff Bush, retired last May.

“We did not want him to go,” Farmersville Mayor Paul Boyer has said of Jansons. But, “he’s found a job, I think, that’s good for his career, so it makes sense.”

In Farmersville, the chief of police, Mario Krstic, has been serving as interim city manager since Jansons’ departure.

He has filled the position before – serving in the dual capacity prior to Jansons’ hiring a couple of years ago.

But, the city has avidly been searching for its new manager, narrowing the field of applicants.

“We’ve received quite a number of applications,” Boyer said.

The field has been narrowed to what the council deems the best possible fits for the city. The hope is to make a final decision by February, although a special city council meeting called for Thursday, January 4, will either result in a final few, or perhaps the top pick being selected. A background check will be required, Boyer explained, and then contract negotiation will take place.

Boyer expects a new city manager to be in place by the end of April or early May.

Retired Visalia police Lieutenant Jeff McIntosh has been serving as interim chief in Exeter. For interim positions, Exeter has often chosen an outside retired source to serve in temporary department management positions, Randy Groom explained.

“They wanted someone not interested in the permanent chief position,” he said.

This allows for an outside evaluation within the department, prior to a permanent replacement being chosen. Likewise, for the city manager position, former Visalia deputy city manager Eric Frost was named as interim manager for Exeter at the December 19 city council meeting.

Recruitment for the police chief position ended in December. Exeter has been narrowing its field of applicants and should be naming a permanent chief early in the year. The city manager position is currently open for application through January 15.

Admittedly, December is a tough time for recruitment, Groom said.

However, both cities have seen quite a few applications for each open position.

The post Towns searching for permanent department heads appeared first on Valley Voice.

Through passage of Measure P in Farmersville, residents and visitors will see an additional ½ cent sales tax on purchases made within the city, bringing the sales tax percentage to 8.75. This could bring an estimated $280,000 into the city coffers annually.

“This will definitely flush the deficit for half of this year, and should keep us going for the next two to three years,” said Mayor Paul Boyers.

Measure Q authorizes “a commercial cannabis business tax in the city on commercial cannabis businesses up to $25 per square foot (annually adjusted by CPI) or 10% of gross receipts, to maintain essential public safety and general city services including, but not limited to, police, drug addiction and gang prevention, park maintenance, street maintenance,” according to the measure.

Farmersville Cannabis Ordinance

At the time of the election, no ordinance for cannabis businesses had been put into play by the city council. As of November 13, that changed.

With a 4-0 vote, Mayor Pro Tem Matt Sisk being absent, council passed an ordinance to allow the commercial cultivation and processing of the drug in industrial zones within the city. The ordinance bans, however, any dispensaries within city limits. As within the state ruling, the commercial businesses must be at least 600 feet from schools, school bus stops and churches, said Mayor Boyer, “which pretty much limits the area to be north of Terry Ave. up to Highway 198.

“Hopefully we’ll have some businesses interested.”

The ordinance disallows outdoor growth of cannabis plants, commercially or privately. This, Boyer said, will limit the temptation for jumping the fence to get to the product, as well as altercations between neighbors.

The mayor is glad that council did not vote to include dispensaries in the ordinance.

“I don’t see the cost benefits in that,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a good thing for the young folks to be around.”

However, “Honestly, I am ecstatic,” Boyer said of passage of the two measures. Everyone will benefit with public safety being at the top of the list.

Boyer’s visions for the future of the city are flourishing, with the possibilities of enhancing gang prevention and drug rehab programs, partnering with the school district for a summer swim program, and aiding the local Boys & Girls Club dancing in his head.

Woodlake Measures

Similarly, in Woodlake Measure R’s passage ups sales taxation by one percent, bringing it to 8.75% within that city, as well.

Measure S is similar in structure to Farmersville’s Measure Q, with the same taxation of cannabis businesses. However, in Woodlake, the city council passed an ordinance, in August, to not only allow cultivation and processing, but dispensaries and testing as well – which will receive the same taxation.

Like Farmersville, Woodlake held several public hearings on both issues.

“I am pleased voters had an opportunity to have a say with these matters,” Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza said. “That’s what I call democracy in action.

“Unfortunately, a city of our size doesn’t have the benefit of a huge sales tax such as Visalia or Tulare.”

The city previously formed an advisory committee to look into how it would best benefit by the added income, Mendoza said. Public safety is at the top of the list followed by road improvements, infrastructure and recreational opportunities.

At its last city council meeting there was to be discussion on now forming an oversight committee, which would report back to council. For those who opposed either the sales tax increase or cannabis ordinance, this is a good chance to get involved and see how it works out, Mendoza said.

The cannabis ordinance is very intense and lengthy, he added. “It’s that way by design – to dot every ‘I’ and cross every ‘t.’ This will help minimize the potential impact from allowing just anyone to come in with a business.”

Mendoza sees that, or lack thereof, as being the success or failure to other cities and counties around the state.

The cultivation cannabis application is 24 pages. The dispensary application is 21 pages. There is a $250 pre-application fee for any cannabis business.

Each applicant pays a hefty non-refundable application fee upon submission – $2,400 for cultivation, manufacturing, distribution or testing. These applications are to be renewed on an annual basis. Dispensary applicants pay an initial $537 phase 1 fee. If the background check meets with approval, then Phase 2 brings a $2,400 fee and a subsequent $816 fee, if the applicant moves on to final approval.

Each application will be considered on a case to case basis and the fees pay for the intensive work of city staff, Mendoza said. To date, the city has had two applicants for dispensaries and a handful for cultivation businesses. On top of this, once a business is accepted, each employee has to be permitted at $300/each.

For more information on the application and cannabis business in Woodlake, visit: https://www.californiacannabiscpa.com/blog/cannabis-business-licenses-available-in-woodlake-ca

“We’re feeling pretty good about how we’ve handled the whole process,” Mendoza said.

The post Farmersville, Woodlake Vote for Sales Tax Increase; Cannabis Business Taxation appeared first on Valley Voice.

Sales Tax Increase

Farmersville’s residents will have to decide whether they want to add ½ cent to their sales tax, which would affect residents and visitors who shop in the community alike.

According to the ballot measure, the sales tax would be applied to improve the quality of life and essential general city services including 911 emergency medical response, fire department services, police department services including gang prevention, recreational facilities and park and street maintenance.

It is estimated that the sales tax increase would bring in an additional $280,000, annually.

Woodlake has a similar measure on its ballot, although the sales tax proposed would be one percent, generating an additional estimated $430,000.

The use is also similar for quality of life issues including parks and recreation programs, neighborhood police patrol, gang prevention programs, street maintenance; lighting, landscaping, and trails.

Cannabis Business Taxation

The second ballot measure for each is a bit more confusing. Both cities are considering the possibility of allowing cannabis business, i.e. cultivation, within the city limits. The ballot measure is not whether to allow or disallow, but rather to develop taxation should that possibility come to fruition.

The urgency in the matter comes with the possibility of the state, in which voters passed Measure 64 to allow recreational cannabis use throughout the state, designating certain areas for growing. Various jurisdictions can first make that decision for themselves, but if not enough are developed within specific regions, the state can step in force the issue, and without prior taxation measures in place, the city’s would not benefit. This possibility may come as early as the first of the year, when Measure 64 comes into effect.

Therefore, both city councils, which are each continuing to discuss allowing cannabis businesses, wanted to get the taxation allotted. Voting for these measures will only allow the taxation, if each city decides to allow a business, or if the state mandates it.

The measure for each city reads similarly– authorizing a commercial cannabis business tax in the city on commercial cannabis businesses up to $25 per square foot (annually adjusted by CPI) or 10% of gross receipts, to maintain essential public safety and general city services including, but not limited to, police, drug addiction and gang prevention, park maintenance, street maintenance.

These are the maximums allotted by the state. Farmersville estimates a potential $500,000 to $3.5 million taxation earnings, annually.

The potential ballot measures were voted on by each city’s council this summer in order to make the November election. The sales tax measures were a unanimous vote by each council. The cannabis taxation measures each made it to the ballot with a 4-1 vote by each city’s council.

Election mail-in ballots are already being accepted and will be through October 31.

The polls in Farmersville, on election day, November 7, will be located at the Farmersville Community Center, 623 N. Avery.

In Woodlake, the polls will take place at the Woodlake Memorial Building, 355 N. Acacia.

The post Tax Measures on Nov. Ballot for Farmersville, Woodlake appeared first on Valley Voice.