Former CEO of the Tulare Local Health Care District (TLHCD) Yorai Shimon ‘Benny’ Benzeevi can no longer practice medicine in the state of California.

The Medical Board of the California Department of Consumer Affairs announced today, May 7, that the disgraced onetime emergency room doctor agreed to surrender his physician and surgeon’s certificate. The agreement was signed by Benzeevi on April 20 following a disciplinary hearing.

Benzeevi was ordered to turn over his wall certificate and pocket license, and he will lose all rights and privileges as a physician and surgeon in California.

Benzeevi won’t contest medical board charges – but can’t escape allegations

If he attempts to reinstate his license or seek a new license, the agreement states that he will be forced to pay $49,928.25 in investigatory fees and that he will accept “all of the charges and allegations” in the state’s original complaint.

The allegations that led to Benzeevi surrendering his professional license stem from his illegal conflict of interest while he served as both owner and CEO of Health Care Conglomerate Associates (HCCA) – which was contracted to manage and operate Tulare Regional Medical Center for the TLHCD – and as CEO of the TLHCD.

In 2020, Benzeevi was charged with 40 felony crimes and six misdemeanors. He pleaded no contest in a 2024 Tulare County Superior Court hearing to six felony counts of conflict of interest, one misdemeanor count of failure to disclose his use of district funds to run a smear campaign against a candidate for seat on the TLHCD board, and a final misdemeanor count of using his position as a government official for personal gain.

For his role in defrauding taxpayers, Benzeevi was sentenced to 120 days of house arrest, ordered to perform 420 hours of community service (reduced from 600 hours), received two years of felony probation, and was ordered to pay $2.4 million in restitution to his victims: TLHCD and the Southern Inyo Healthcare District (SIHD). HCCA and Benzeevi were also managing the financially-troubled SIHD.

As part of his agreement with the Medical Board, Benzeevi will effectively accept the allegations of the charges for which he was convicted if he attempts to seek a new medical license in California.

“After years of fighting to be heard, the surrender of his license without contest speaks for itself,” said Patty Drilling Phelps, an organizer of Citizens for Hospital Accountability, which fought to expose Benzeevi and other HCCA officials’ fraud. “The community was right, and now the record reflects that.”

‘Corruption and Dishonesty’ Led to Medical Board Review

Among the crimes mentioned by the medical board was the use of TLHCD funds to finance his lawsuit against the former head of Tulare Regional’s medical executive board. When TLHCD board member Parmod Kumar faced a recall election in 2017, Benzeevi allegedly employed the Israeli company Psy Group to interfere in the campaign of rival candidate Senovia Gutierrez.

Later, after Kumar’s landslide defeat, Benzeevi illegally blocked Gutierrez from taking her seat on the board, according to the misdemeanor he pleaded no contest to.

Benzeevi also engineered a $500,000 line of credit to SIHD from the TLHCD, charging for the service and using the borrowed funds to enrich HCCA. He also arranged for SIHD to borrow money from another company he owned, Vi Healthcare Finance. That loan was secured by future tax income.

The double-dealing CEO also extended loans from HCCA to TLHCD beginning in 2015, and he eventually sold $3 million of TLHCD equipment to a third party company, then signed an agreement for TLHCD to lease back that equipment. He used $2.4 million of those funds to pay TLHCD’s debts to HCCA.

His conviction for these crimes was the primary cause for the initial allegations to remove his license. The Medical Board, however, also cited Benzeevi’s corruption and dishonesty, as well as his general unprofessional conduct as added causes for prohibiting him from practicing medicine.

Case Against HCCA Attorney Resumes Next Week

Benzeevi did not act alone as in the alleged fraud against TLHCD and SIHD. Former HCCA CFO Alan Germany was also convicted on two counts stemming from his involvement in Benzeevi’s actions. Germany was convicted of felony conflict of interest and a misdemeanor for failing to file a financial disclosure form required of all public officials.

For his part in the HCCA scheme, Germany paid $150,000 in restitution to his victims, served two years probation and performed 540 hours of community service work. He was also required to write a letter of apology to residents in the TLHCD. He faced a maximum sentence of three years.

Former HCCA attorney Bruce Greene faced an identical set of charges to those alleged against Benzeevi and Germany. However, Greene rejected a plea bargain deal similar to those offered by the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office to his former co-defendants. In May of 2024, the Tulare County Grand Jury found sufficient cause to indict Greene on 11 felony charges and five misdemeanors.

Greene pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The ongoing criminal case against Greene is in addition to a disciplinary hearing against him before the California State Bar. The state’s attorneys accuse Greene of using his influence with HCCA and TLHCD to benefit himself and his client, Benzeevi. The matter is pending, awaiting the outcome of the criminal charges.

Greene’s criminal trial is scheduled to resume next week before Judge Michael Sheltzer. A pretrial conference is set for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. The department location will be announced.

A jury trial for Greene is currently scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 26, with Sheltzer presiding.

The post Benzeevi surrenders medical license after conviction in Tulare hospital corruption case appeared first on Valley Voice.

Del Lago Residents Object

The crucial zoning change, city officials said, is necessary to complete a state-required update of the housing element of the city’s general plan. That update is already years overdue and has been underway since 2022. Yet the move still triggered a last-minute outcry by those living in the subdivision that surrounds the rezoned parcel.

The rezoning and updated report to the state were approved April 21 in a 3-1 vote.

A handful of residents of the Del Lago subdivision in northeast Tulare turned out Tuesday night to voice concerns about the zoning change before the council made its final decision. Speaking about the hypothetical increases in traffic and crime that could result from living near multi-story apartment complexes – as well as the loss of privacy and degradation of the neighborhood’s calm atmosphere – they asked the city to preserve the status quo.

“The winery was quiet. It didn’t throw loud parties,” said Del Lago resident Devin Tucker. “It didn’t cause problems. And now nine years later, they’re talking about building multi-level apartments and adding a lot more population to a neighborhood. And that’s just not something we’re interested in. I don’t think that’s a good move.”

Besides upping the area’s housing density, the council also approved giving the owner of the acreage the right to develop the land without City Hall’s OK, as long as the project meets the city’s design standards and fits the new zoning designation.

Those who objected believe it’s too great a degree of freedom.

“A future project that fits the zoning could move forward by right without any other public hearing,” said Trisha Dean, whose Del Lago home is adjacent to the 10-acre plot. “So tonight might be the only opportunity families get to speak before something that much larger and more intense is placed directly behind our homes. This is a big ask of us.”

The land under review is surrounded on three sides by the Del Lago subdivision. Its fourth side faces onto Mooney Boulevard north of Prosperity Avenue. The area is in City Council District 4 and represented by Dennis Mederos. He was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

No Plans Yet to Develop Rezoned Area

Following the council’s action Tuesday, City Hall no longer has any say about how the property can be developed in the future, no matter what income level it’s aimed at. Any properly zoned high-density housing project has to be allowed to move forward.

However, Mario Anaya, the city’s director of community development, said that doesn’t make it a free-for-all. Any potential future builder must meet the city’s established rules for any project that they propose. And there’s not a construction proposal on the table yet.

“One thing the public should note: There’s no specific project now,” he said. “And even though there’s not a discretionary process in the future if this rezoning is approved, projects still have to go through site-plan review.”

In the meantime, Mayor Patrick Isherwood said the council is aware of neighbors’ safety and quality-of-life concerns, and they intend to review and update city ordinances to preserve the neighborhood’s quiet atmosphere.

“How can we button that up?” Isherwood said. “How can we address those concerns so that when a project comes in front of us, we have these additional items further addressed? We can work through that.”

Vice Mayor Steve Harrell wanted definite protections in place, and he would eventually cast the only no vote against adopting the zoning change and approval of the state-mandated update to the housing element of the city’s general plan.

“I would be more comfortable with something that’s more concrete, that we’re going to protect these people’s privacy, do something about traffic control, traffic calming measures and things like that,” he said. “To be perfectly honest at this point I cannot support this.”

Tulare Experiencing State-Ordered Growing Pains

Rezoning the 10 acres in question presented a perfect opportunity for Tulare to complete and submit a state-required update to the housing element of its general plan. Adding the pocket of high-density housing was the final piece needed to meet the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirement for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

A city’s RHNA (pronounced ree-nah) is an examination of the city’s housing needs based on income and household size. The HCD requires all cities to update their version on an eight-year cycle, and there are eventual consequences for missing the deadline. When Tulare fell short of the high-density requirement by 95 acres in 2018, HCD threatened legal action and fines.

Despite beginning fact-finding in 2022 for the current RHNA, the city is now years behind schedule.

“Each year they seem to have more requirements, and this sixth cycle, if you ask any planner in California that’s worked on it, it was really a gauntlet,” Anaya, the city’s community development director, said. “It took a lot of effort, a lot of years to put together. In hindsight, we would have started earlier. Because here we are kind of behind. We should have had the new one adopted in 2024, so we’re about two years late.”

Tulare wasn’t the only tardy city in Tulare County. Eventually under the umbrella of the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), every city in the county joined forces to complete the more than 500 pages of data needed to satisfy the HCD. During the four-year-long process, the city received only one written comment until the final approval process began.

The update to the housing element of Tulare’s general plan was reviewed by the city’s Planning Commission last month, unanimously approved and then forwarded to the city council. It came with a recommendation of adoption.

Too Much Power and Outdated Outlooks

Despite the state mandate requiring cities to address the housing needs of all their citizens, there was still the claim it represents an overreach of state authority the city should perhaps ignore.

“All I’m asking is to maintain it the way it is, regardless of what Sacramento is trying to push on us,” Del Lago resident Tucker told the council. “Sacramento will be changing soon, because we have an election coming up. So the policies we have now may not be in place in the future.”

While pushing back against the notion that high-density housing leads to bad outcomes, such as increased crime, Councilwoman Terry Sayre said old and familiar biases seemed to be at the root of some of the objections to the rezoning plan.

“I also represent the West Side, and so I’m aware of some of the feelings that are traditional in Tulare about the difference between west and east sides,” she said. “I don’t think the tracks actually delineate people’s worthiness. It’s a mindset that’s been in Tulare a long time.”

According to the TCAG Sixth Cycle report for 2023-2031, Tulare has 4,749 households in total. Of those, 1,435 (30.2%) have very low incomes of less than 50% of the area median income (AMI). Another 884 households (18.6%) have low incomes of 50% to 80% of the AMI; 677 households (14.3%) have moderate incomes of 80% to 120% of the AMI; and the largest and richest portion – 1,753 households (36.9%) – have incomes greater than 120% of the AMI.

Tulare grew by 16.7% between the 2010 and 2020 census counts. That’s more than three and a half times the rate of Tulare County’s growth, and nearly three times the growth rate of the entire state. Yet 77.4% of Tulare’s housing is single-family detached homes.

“We don’t have a lot of variety in our housing stock,” Anaya said. “We kind of produce a lot of the same type, and the needs in our households have changed over the decades, so we’re kind of seeing that bear out a little bit with the data.”

The official conclusion is Tulare needs a wider variety of housing options for all income levels. The county as a whole also needs a greater diversity of housing types. Single-family detached homes make up 75% of available housing, compared with 57.7% statewide.

The post Tulare OKs high-density housing zone besides high-end Del Lago appeared first on Valley Voice.

Qualifications to Apply: Must be a registered voter within the district and must not have been a trustee of the district within the last 5 years.

Functions: Set policy, ensure legal compliance, oversee financial stewardship, and provide strategic direction for the district while maintaining ethical and transparent governance. The Board has employed a District Manager to carry out policy, direct district operations, provide day-to-day supervision of staff and control and administer district expenditures.

Requirements to Serve: Complete Ethics training, Sexual Harassment and Prevention training, Virtual Board Compliance training, and Fiscal & Financial training every two years; complete a Statement of Economic Interest FORM 700 upon assuming office, and annually thereafter.

Initial Term of Appointment: Three Seats will expire January 3, 2028, and Two Seats will expire January 7, 2030

Compensation: $100 for each regular meeting attended, and $25 for each special board meeting attended.

How to Apply:

Option 1: Complete online application at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/clerkoftheboard/boards-and-commissions/

Option 2: Request an application and email completed application to clerkoftheboard@tularecounty.ca.gov

Deadline to Apply: 12:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2026

If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk of the Board office at clerkoftheboard@tularecounty.ca.gov or (559) 636-5002.

The post Tulare Public Cemetery District Board of Trustees Recruitment appeared first on Valley Voice.

https://www.tulare.ca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/15369/232?toggle=next7days&selcat=1

The city’s website states the amenities were closed to the public but after a group of concerned citizens met with the Parks and Recreation director the park now is accessible after school and the bathrooms, which had been closed, will be open on a regular schedule.

Years ago the Cesar Chavez Park was approved by the City Council and the site was selected because that area was “underserved” in regard to park amenities.

The recent “covering of the Cesar Chavez monument” I feel was too quickly directed and majority of the “people” especially neighborhood it serves!

We are requesting all citizens throughout Tulare County give public comment during the city council meeting regarding the park.

After setting up an advisory committee and gathering input from the public, the final authority for naming a park rests with the city council.

But, a City Council appointed Advisory Committee does not provide “confidence” that what happens to the park will be representative of the public will or allows sufficient outreach that would make commenting more available.

Tulare Municipal Code 12.06.020 Parks and Recreation provides that the city must give “significant” public notice and allow for public input before recommendations are made for the park.

But this request for public input should be made at a Special Meeting of the City Council at a time the public can attend. The 5:30 pm meeting time of the city council meetings creates a BARRIER for attendance!

Our efforts to provide “public input” as provided by the Brown Act is being ASSAULTED!

A Special Meeting should be at 7:00pm to ensure all the public can comment not just those community members who do not work or have the luxury of adjusting their schedule. A 7:00pm start time is more reasonable for our hard working community.

Having the meeting at 5:30 does not take into consideration shift work in medical or manufacturing jobs.  It is also when most workers are traveling back home at the end of their work day.

The 5:30 pm meeting time of the Tulare City Council is a BARRIER to public input and in personal attendance. Also, statistics show a significant drop in viewers after time change from 7:00 pm to 5:30.

Yes, the opportunity for public comment is provided for but it is not guaranteed your concerns will be heard or taken into consideration by the City Council.

If it’s possible we urge everyone to attend City Council Meeting at 5:30 on April 7th and complete the “request for public comment” card and address the City Council. Even if you do not complete the card anyone can still make a public comment.

If you cannot attend the meeting please try to attend virtually on April 7th to make your views a Public Record.

CESAR CHAVEZ is a COMMUNITY Park and PUBLIC INPUT is not limited to residents within the City of Tulare!

SAVE and HONOR of the integrity and suffering of the farmer workers during their time!

Emails can be sent before meeting begins at 5:30 pm “City clerk@tulare.ca.gov  or leave voicemail 559 366 1849 at 5:00.

DONT let elected officials decide WHAT is BEST for the overall community!

DONT let elected officials decide “what is horrible news”

BE SOMEBODY, make your opinion known as a PUBLIC RECORD!!!

“People of the State DO NOT yield their SOVEREIGNTY to the agencies that SERVE them.”

The post Cesar Chavez Park on Tulare City Council Agenda – Make Your Voice Heard! appeared first on Valley Voice.

There are two opportunities for residents to join the conversation:

• Virtual Zoom Meeting: Monday, April 6, from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom Webinar ID 892 0281 3552 or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89202813552?pwd=Dpzc9BMHUtO2k9LSAGGkQ17Bwwlv7d.1
• In-Person Meeting: Thursday, April 16, from 6-7 p.m. at Tulare Council Chambers (491 North M Street).

The purpose of these meetings is to provide the community with a clear understanding of the City’s financial planning and how local funds are allocated. There will be a presentation from staff detailing the budget, followed by dedicated time for residents to ask questions.

“We want our residents to be active partners in shaping Tulare’s future,” said City Manager Marc Mondell. “The City budget is the foundational blueprint for how we deliver the essential services our community relies on every single day, from public safety to our local parks. We invite everyone to pull up a chair, ask questions, and help us build a stronger Tulare together.”

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the City’s operating budget is $177.9 million, which encompasses expenditures for Tulare’s day-to-day operations. Funding for local services — including public safety, streets, parks, and community programs — relies heavily on sales tax revenue. The projected sales tax revenue for FY 2026 is $22.3 million, which reflects a decrease compared to FY 2025.

Despite revenue shifts, the City remains dedicated to fiscal responsibility and community enhancement. “Responsible financial stewardship requires us to be adaptable to economic shifts, but it also requires us to listen,” said Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts. “These meetings are a great opportunity for us to walk residents through our financial strategies, explain how their tax dollars are working for them, and hear directly about which local investments matter most.”

Vital community investments are already visible throughout Tulare, highlighted by recent projects such as the Zumwalt Park renovation, the Tulare Business Innovation Zone (TBIZ), and the K-9 Bane Dog Park. Over the next five years, the city plans to move forward with a range of Capital Improvement projects aimed at strengthening public facilities, supporting growth, and ensuring the sustainability of services for residents and businesses alike.

Residents are encouraged to submit specific questions in advance to be addressed during the forum. Please send inquiries to cityclerk@tulare.ca.gov. To learn more about the City’s financial planning, please visit Tulare’s Budget webpage.

The post City of Tulare invites residents to upcoming community meetings about city budget appeared first on Valley Voice.

Jim Morehead is a lifelong member of the San Joaquin Valley agricultural community and a second‑generation California farmer whose roots run deep in Pixley, California. His family came to California shortly after World War II, relocating from the Texas Panhandle to begin farming in the fertile San Joaquin Valley.

Raised in Pixley, Jim has spent more than 72 years in the community alongside his wife, Betty, where they raised their family, having two boys, Jason and Justin, and established multigenerational ties to the region.

Jim graduated from Fresno State University in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, a foundation that helped guide his lifelong career in farming and community leadership. He farmed cotton, corn, wheat, milo and alfalfa with his father, Vaughn, and brother David through the late 1980s. Jim continued the family business on his own beginning in 1990 and began transitioning out of field crops and into almond production in the late 1990s. Today, he continues that legacy, farming alongside his son, Jason, as part of a proud multi generational family farming operation.

Beyond agriculture, Jim has devoted decades to serving and giving back to his community. He served 20 years on the Board of the Pixley Unified School District, helping guide educational priorities and community development. For 25 years, he has been active with The Pixley Foundation—supporting efforts such as the local library, food pantry, and internet connectivity to strengthen community resources. Jim also served 45 years on the board of the Pixley United Brethren Church and as President of Pixley-Tipton Youth Baseball while his boys were growing up.

Within the agricultural sector, Jim has held numerous board, leadership, and volunteer roles that reflect his expertise and commitment to advancing farming in California and Tulare County. His service includes:

• World Ag Expo Orange Jacket Volunteer – Finance Committee
• Tri City Growers Cotton Cooperative – Board Member
• California Cotton Alliance – Board Member
• Central Valley Almond Association – Current Board Member
• Pixley Irrigation District – Groundwater Sustainability Agency – Current Committee Member

Jim takes great pride in living in the community where he works and providing jobs to those in the area. Jim and Betty’s two sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren all reside in the San Joaquin Valley.

The post Kiwanis Club of Tulare Announces 2026 Farmer of the Year appeared first on Valley Voice.

The City completed the renovation of Zumwalt Park in May 2025, transforming it into a premier regional destination for recreation and entertainment. The park features the Adventist Health Amphitheater, which includes a main stage, tiered seating, enhanced lighting and landscaped grounds, along with a playground and splash pad for families to enjoy.

Founded in 1946, CPRS is the largest professional parks organization in California, with over 4,000 members. Their Awards of Excellence program honors innovation, impact, and leadership, noting that Tulare’s submission rose to the top of a highly competitive field. According to CPRS, the project demonstrated “a level of excellence that helps move our profession forward and strengthen California communities.”

In a double victory for the City, Tulare also received the CPRS “Outstanding Program” award for its creative “Letters to Jack Skellington” initiative, which garnered over 4,000 letters from all 50 states and various countries around the world.

“This recognition from CPRS is a testament to the vision and dedication of our team,” said City Manager Marc Mondell. “These awards aren’t just for the shelf; they are a validation that our investments in public spaces and community engagement are yielding impressive results. I am incredibly proud of our staff’s ability to innovate and deliver projects that put Tulare on the map.”

During the CPRS Conference General Session on Thursday, March 12, in Long Beach, the City was honored to have been announced as an award recipient.

In addition to the ceremony in Long Beach, the City will receive a handcrafted mosaic award, a professionally produced video tribute, and a feature in the California Parks and Recreation magazine. CPRS representatives formally presented the award to the community on April 7 during the Tulare City Council meeting.

“Zumwalt Park and the Adventist Health Amphitheater have become the heartbeat of our downtown, and this award confirms what our residents already know: Tulare is a leader in creating vibrant, high-quality spaces,” said Mayor Patrick Isherwood. “We are committed to continuing this momentum and ensuring Tulare remains a premier place to ‘live, learn, play, work, worship, and prosper.’”

To learn more about Zumwalt Park and the Adventist Health Amphitheater, please visit Tulare.ca.gov/Residents/Zumwalt-Park.

Per CPRS: This award recognizes excellence in design of completed park facilities intended for public use. The project may be either new construction or a rehabilitation project that demonstrates high standards of planning, design, community involvement, operation and maintenance, quality of aesthetics, usability, accessibility and versatility. This award further recognizes planning and development or significant rehabilitation of outdoor park and recreation spaces where the majority of the site does not contain buildings, structures or facilities and that result in higher levels of community use.

The post Tulare’s Zumwalt Park wins prestigious statewide award appeared first on Valley Voice.

Now in its fifth year, the Leadership Tulare fundraiser has become a lively community event known for featuring the high-energy entertainment of The Killer Dueling Pianos, a nationally touring act led by performer Ryan Bueter. The group has recently been featured in Rolling Stone and USA Today for its innovative approach to live entertainment that blends music, humor, and crowd participation.

During the performance, the dueling pianists take song requests throughout the night, creating an interactive experience where the audience helps shape the show as performers move through decades of music and crowd favorites.

Each year the event features a different theme, and this year’s theme, Rock for Leadership, celebrates the spirit of 80s rock, inviting guests to come dressed in their favorite retro style or simply ready to enjoy a fun night out with the community.

The evening will include dinner, a no-host bar, a silent auction, dancing, and live entertainment.

Proceeds from the event support the Leadership Tulare program, including scholarships that help ensure individuals who want to participate in the program have the opportunity to do so.

“Leadership Tulare plays a vital role in strengthening our community by equipping individuals with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to lead,” said Donnette Silva Carter, President and CEO of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. “This fundraiser not only helps support scholarships for future participants, but it also gives the current Leadership Tulare class valuable experience planning and executing a major community event—an important step in developing the next generation of leaders in Tulare.”

“Rock for Leadership” is planned and organized by the Leadership Tulare Class of 2026, providing participants with hands-on experience in event planning, teamwork, and community engagement.

The event will take place on Friday, March 20^th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the International Agri-Center Heritage Complex, 4500 Laspina Street in Tulare.  Tickets are $65 per person and include dinner and a full evening of entertainment.

Tickets are available at www.tularechamber.org.

About The Tulare Chamber of Commerce:

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce works to promote local businesses and enhance the community through various programs, events, and initiatives. We are dedicated to fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life in Tulare.

For more information, visit www.tularechamber.org or call (559) 686-1547.

About Leadership Tulare:

Leadership Tulare is a leadership development program that prepares and connects individuals committed to making a positive impact in the greater Tulare area. Through educational sessions, hands-on experiences, and engagement with community leaders, participants gain insight into local issues while developing the skills and relationships needed to lead in their workplaces and communities.

The post Tulare Leadership Class Presents “Rock for Leadership” Fundraiser Featuring Nationally Recognized Killer Dueling Pianos appeared first on Valley Voice.

“This was a competitive process, but Trilby’s experience, determination, and willingness to take on a challenge made her the right person for this job,” said Supervisor Pete Vander Poel, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Cemetery District.

Barton is a fourth generation Tulare County farmer’s daughter with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has served as the District Manager for the Woodlake Public Cemetery District since 2022. Woodlake was awarded 2024 Cemetery of the Year by the Public Cemetery Alliance after Barton turned the cemetery into a functional and beautiful entity for the residents of Woodlake. In 2025, Barton worked as a consultant for the Exeter Public Cemetery District to streamline operations and helped the new superintendent/district manager establish their leadership role. Much of Barton’s special district experience comes after spending 14 years at an engineering and consulting firm where she established the public outreach service sector to work with special districts, water and irrigation districts, cities and other public agencies.

Barton has ties to the Tulare community where she has ridden horses at the Ward Ranch for more than 30 years and volunteered at World Ag Expo since 2008.

“I am humbled and honored with the opportunity to continue working with cemetery staff and the community the district serves,” said Barton. “We have made great strides since the Fall, and my plan is to keep that momentum!”

The Tulare Public Cemetery District strives to provide respectful interment services and assist families with care and consideration in a dignified and pleasant atmosphere to the community we serve within the district and maintain our cemetery grounds. Learn more at https://www.tularecemetery.net/.

Located in the heart of the Central Valley, Tulare County sits in a geographically diverse region. There are a variety of opportunities for all-season outdoor recreation, and the County has a growing population of 479,112 and includes an area of 4,863 square miles. Mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada range rise to more than 14,000 feet in its Eastern half, which is comprised primarily of public lands within the Sequoia National Park, National Forest, and the Mineral King, Golden Trout, and Domeland Wilderness areas. Meanwhile, the fertile valley floor in the Western half has allowed Tulare County to become the top producer of agricultural commodities in the United States. Learn more at www.tularecounty.ca.gov.

The post Tulare County Board of Supervisors to Consider Trilby Barton for Tulare Cemetery District Manager appeared first on Valley Voice.

“These policy changes represent another important step in safeguarding Tulare’s financial future,” said Mayor Patrick Isherwood. “By proactively planning for employee benefit obligations and unforeseen costs, we are ensuring our community remains on solid fiscal footing.”

The newly created pension and OPEB reserves are designed to prefund the City’s unfunded accrued liabilities, providing flexibility to manage spikes in General Fund annual contributions. Across California, the growth of governmental pension and retiree health plan obligations has outpaced asset growth, driven by investment market volatility and longer retiree lifespans. Tulare’s new reserves will help mitigate these pressures while maintaining responsible budgeting practices.

“The Supplemental Pension Trust and OPEB Reserve give us the tools to smooth contributions over time and reduce financial strain on the City’s primary operating fund,” said Chief Financial Officer Mark Roberts. “This proactive approach strengthens our ability to meet long-term obligations while continuing to invest in essential community services.”

The City also increased its Workers’ Compensation Reserve to ensure sufficient funding for unanticipated claims. The revised policy sets the reserve target at an amount equal to the estimated claims payable plus a five-year rolling average of claims paid, with an initial balance of $4 million.

These updates are part of Tulare’s broader strategy to manage City finances responsibly. The City already maintains a General Fund Economic Contingency Reserve, designed to help the City respond to financial emergencies arising from national disasters, economic downturns, or unexpected expenses. With a current balance of $15.4 million, this reserve provides a safety net, ensuring that essential city services can continue uninterrupted in the event of unexpected financial challenges.

Together, these updates reflect Tulare’s proactive, forward-looking approach to safeguarding taxpayer dollars and maintaining the City’s long-term financial stability. For more information, visit www.tulare.ca.gov/government/departments/finance/city-budget.

The post Tulare strengthens financial stability with new reserves appeared first on Valley Voice.