According to Assistant City Manager Thomas Gaffery, the shelter will cost the city about $7.3 million, while the remainder of the costs are covered through a combination of county, state, and federal sources. The shelter held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 10, 2026, though guests aren’t expected to move in until the tentative opening date of July 27, 2026.

“Tulare First”

During the ribbon cutting on July 10, City Manager Marc Mondell made it clear that the new emergency shelter will be following a “Tulare First” policy. In other words, the shelter will only be serving unhoused people that have ties to the city of Tulare.

To ensure this policy is followed, all potential guests go through a screening process in collaboration with Tulare PD’s Halo Team specialty unit. This partnership helps the shelter verify a person’s ties to the city of Tulare through the acquisition of personal information such as last known addresses, background checks, and other forms of documentation.

The shelter’s first guests will be those living at Tulare’s temporary homeless encampment that opened in 2023.

The encampment made up of city provided tents has been a marker of growing concern for some Tulare residents, who cite issues with sanitation, safety, and the prolonged presence of an encampment that was never designed to last for multiple years.

Former Tulare Mayor Terry Sayre cited construction delays as the reason for the wait, but assured the encampment will no longer exist after the tentative move-in day on July 27.

“It will be dismantled,” Sayre said. “Our goal is to get them permanently housed.”

The unhoused population at the encampment is aware of this upcoming change and has been given the opportunity to tour the new shelter as part of the transition process.

Tulare Cares Project Manager Brittney Dias stated that although the new shelter can accommodate up to 400 people if needed, current capacity stands at 200, with only 97 guests initially moving in from the encampment and an additional 50 beds reserved for referrals through the Kings View nonprofit organization.

Kings View is a behavioral health organization that provides mental health, substance abuse treatment, and social services.

Prospective guests unable to verify ties to the city of Tulare will be referred to other organizations such as Kings View, the Lighthouse, The Visalia Navigation Center, the Good Samaritan, and Salt & Light.

Three Phase Model

Tulare’s emergency shelter takes a novel approach in design and function built around a three-phase model intended to transition unhoused off the streets and into permanent housing.

According to Renee Soto, Tulare Cares Homeless Shelter Board Chair, the three-phase model arose from discussions among city council members. The model was designed with the intention of preparing guests for permanent housing by giving them tools to mitigate the chance of relapse or a return to homelessness.

“Ultimately the goal is to be housed,” Soto said. “But housed with the tools they need to succeed when they are housed.”

At the center of the Tulare Cares three-phase model is the main shelter structure that resembles an airplane hangar with tall ceilings, air conditioning, and industrial ventilation. The majority of  the guests will be living here.

The structure is divided into three large sections, each distinct from the others in bed count, privacy level, and amenities. Together, they form a progression system designed to advance guests toward the goal of finding and keeping permanent housing.

Phase A: Entry

The first phase of the model is a large, barracks-style dormitory with approximately 87 beds. This section of the shelter structure is split in half — women on one side, men on the other with access to secure storage. Privacy is minimal while staff assess for individual needs or behavioral concerns.

During this phase, guests begin acclimating to a more structured environment, are connected with a navigator, and start the process of obtaining any missing documentation, such as a birth certificate, ID, or Social Security card. According to Tulare Cares Operations Manager, Brittney Dias, acquiring this documentation can take up to a month.

“You’re just getting started. That’s gonna be your phase A,” Dias said. “We’re gonna try to get you familiar with structure and familiar with starting to take responsibility for your own actions.”

Phase B: Participation

After guests have acclimated to the structure and made progress in case management, they are given the opportunity to progress into B phase and move into the next section of the shelter structure. This phase holds 64 beds, with partitions providing semi-private living conditions. Along with more privacy, guests are also given opportunities to take on responsibilities through volunteering on the shelter grounds.

At this stage, staff can work with guests to help them find part-time or full-time paid work. Guests can also take classes on subjects such as art or managing bills, or attend AA/NA meetings and can earn what the facility calls “Care Bucks” — a form of on-site currency that can be used to purchase items such as clothes, laundry soap, dog food, blankets and hygiene products. The currency system is designed as an incentive to further acclimate guests to increased structure and responsibility.

Phase C: Recovery

The final phase of the model involves guests moving into the last section of the shelter, which contains 24 private rooms with two beds per room. This phase houses guests who are document-ready and either volunteering or earning income while they await a housing opportunity outside the facility. During this phase, guests continue to meet with case management and work with navigators. It is the final stop in the Tulare Cares three-phase model before guests ultimately leave the facility for permanent housing.

Most guests prefer to be in the private rooms. However, Dias emphasized that this phase of the model is only a temporary stop designed to help guests adjust to being in a home structure before they find a unit of their own outside of the facility.

“We’re trying to get [guests] familiar with being in a home structure, so that when you get into your own unit that you don’t get overwhelmed and feel like you’re on your own.”

The Rest of the Campus

The shelter structure is the heart of the facility where the majority of the living and work will be done. However, there are more than two dozen other buildings at the facility, serving a variety of functions meant to support guests while they progress through the phases.

North of the shelter structure is a collection of 16 modular two-room units. Each of these units has two beds per room and has a total of 32 rooms, adding an additional 64 beds to the shelter. Among these units are also spaces designed to accommodate guests with disabilities or limited mobility. More notably, these units are capable of combining with an adjacent unit to form a suite, an ideal living arrangement for guests with families or children.

“Families are different from individuals,” Soto said. “So we will be implementing a program specifically for them.”

South of the shelter structure is the second largest building at the facility where the classroom and laundromat are located. This is also the building where the food pantry is located, and where guests receive two meals per day. Dias said the number was intentional — receiving more than two meals would disqualify guests from continuing to receive food stamp assistance.

Another structure southeast of the facility is a small shipping container dubbed “The Hot Room”. According to staff, it acts as a staging area for guests’ belongings when they first enter the emergency shelter. The hot room takes advantage of the Central Valley heat and reaches temperatures upwards of 120 degrees fahrenheit and serves as a natural sanitization space that kills pests like bed bugs.

Other notable buildings and accommodations around the facility include a large space for dog kennels, a garden area, a small basketball court, a large shipping container with extra clothes, an office space for staff, and four modular buildings with multiple restrooms and showers.

It Takes a Village

A facility the size of Tulare Cares would not be operational without a robust team of dedicated staff working to keep it running. According to Dias, the emergency shelter will be fully staffed 24/7 seven days a week and will have security around the clock.

A total of 22 staff members will be serving guests at the shelter. The team consists of staff leads, admin, a food coordinator, and twelve part-time staff, most of whom were previously unhoused. The facility will also have a team of volunteers to help support daily operations.

One of the key roles is a team of four navigators hired to facilitate case management. Navigators will assist guests with individualized needs such as documentation, application support, networking, health benefits, and permanent housing placement.

“They will be right next to you the whole time working you through the systems,” Soto said.

Many of the staff operating the shelter were previously unhoused at the encampment two blocks away and have been provided positions through the Lighthouse Rescue Mission.

“Over the last couple of years, the individuals in the encampment who have stepped up to volunteer and worked with [Dias] rose to the top by nature and started serving and volunteering today,” Soto said.

One of these individuals is Mauricio Ramirez, a full-time lead for Tulare Cares. Ramirez was homeless for three years in Tulare and began his journey toward stability while volunteering at the encampment. He said leadership saw potential in him and gave him growing responsibilities over the years, which has culminated in full-time work at the new emergency shelter.

“It’s been a blessing,” Ramirez explained. “Rarely do you get this kind of opportunity.”

The journey that Ramirez has taken to achieve stability and permanent housing is a testament to the years of outreach, support, and relationship building done by the city and nonprofit organizations.

“That’s the story of Tulare Cares,” Soto explained. “No one is new to this. In the last 20 years it’s been a coming together of the homeless community and the city.”

The post Tulare Cares Emergency Shelter – a novel approach in design and function appeared first on Valley Voice.

Woodville Landfill now allows free drop-off of mattresses, box springs and futon mattresses from California residents and businesses at 19800 Road 152, Tulare, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Up to 10 units can be dropped off at once, with a box spring and mattress each counting as a separate unit.

“We are excited to offer Tulare County residents more convenient options for recycling their unwanted mattresses,” said Tulare County Supervisor Dennis Townsend. “This new site represents our commitment to making our roadsides and community cleaner for everyone and free from illegal dumping.”

Since 2016, MRC has recycled more than 14 million mattresses in California. The program’s recyclers have diverted 555 million pounds of steel, foam, fiber and wood from landfills. These valuable materials are used to create new products such as construction rebar, carpet padding, insulation, mulch or biomass fuel.

“We’re thrilled to build our presence and make recycling used mattresses easier for Tulare residents,” said Mike O’Donnell, MRC’s Chief Operating Officer. “Collectively, sites in Tulare County recycled more than 280,000 mattresses in 2025, contributing to the more than 1.5 million mattresses this impressive network recycles each year in California.”

In addition to the new Woodville Landfill site, mattresses and box springs are also recycled at 10 other locations in Tulare County. Tulare County residents can find the location nearest to them using our site locator.

In addition to these options, mattress shoppers can have their retailer pick up their old mattress. The state law requires any retailer that delivers a new mattress to also offer to pick up an old one at no additional cost. Many retailers choose to recycle the mattresses they collect from customers through MRC. Whether shopping in-store or online, California consumers should ask their retailer about their take-back service.

MRC is a nonprofit organization that operates statewide recycling programs in California and three other states that have passed mattress recycling laws.

MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress program is funded through a state-approved recycling fee that is collected on each mattress or box spring purchased by California consumers. The fee is used to establish free drop-off locations and collection events throughout the state, transport collected units from these sites to companies that dismantle the discarded products, and recycle the materials. Other portions of the fee are dedicated to combating illegal dumping and research efforts that improve the recycling process and recyclability of the component material.

The post Drop off mattresses and box springs for free at new Tulare location appeared first on Valley Voice.

The City of Tulare relies on its General Fund to pay for day-to-day operations and essential community services, including public safety, parks, roads, infrastructure maintenance, and other local services. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, public safety accounts for 55% of the General Fund, or more than $38 million.

“Placing this measure on the ballot gives Tulare voters the opportunity to consider a local funding source for City services,” said City Manager Marc Mondell. “Our role is to provide clear, factual information about what the measure would do, how much revenue it is estimated to generate, and how residents can review the details before casting a ballot.”

According to City financial projections, Tulare is expected to face a structural deficit within the next five years, meaning ongoing expenses are projected to outpace ongoing revenues. The City has taken cost-saving measures, including delaying capital projects and deferring maintenance, while also facing rising costs related to inflation, pensions and homelessness response. Sales tax revenue, which makes up roughly 31% of the General Fund, is projected to decrease by 3.5% in FY 2026, from $23.1 million in FY 2025 unaudited actuals to $22.3 million.

Tulare’s current sales tax rate is 8.25%, which remains one of the lowest among surrounding incorporated cities in Tulare County. Sales tax rates in Dinuba, Visalia, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay and Woodlake are currently higher than Tulare’s rate. If this measure is approved by voters, Tulare’s sales tax rate would increase to 9.25%.

Because this is proposed as a general tax measure, the revenue would be deposited into the City’s General Fund and may be used for general government purposes. The ballot language identifies local service areas such as maintaining 911 emergency, fire, paramedic and police response; protecting local youth from gangs and crime; helping prevent thefts and property crimes; addressing homelessness; keeping public areas and community parks clean and safe; repairing local roads and potholes; protecting local drinking water sources and preparing for future droughts; and retaining and attracting local businesses.

Based on FY 2026 projections, the estimated cost of the one-cent sales tax increase would be approximately $466 per capita, or roughly $1,540 per household annually.

“The people of Tulare want a safe and affordable City to call home,” said Mayor Patrick Isherwood. “This measure helps us get there. This measure would fund more cops, fix more potholes, keep parks safe for our kids, and get us to the level of services the residents of Tulare expect and desire.”

The measure will appear on the November 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Ballots and voter information will be administered by the Tulare County Registrar of Voters.

The post Tulare City Council votes to place local sales tax measure on November ballot appeared first on Valley Voice.

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.