Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Deed fraud protections — ordinance and recorder notification program
Scammers can forge deeds and steal your home title without you knowing. Under SB 255, the county will now mail property owners a notice within 30 days whenever a deed, mortgage, or deed of trust is recorded on their property — and the new ordinance requires parcel numbers on the first page so the system works reliably.
ICE access and Truth Act transparency
Annual community forum on federal immigration access to county jail and probation custody. Sheriff data show 26 of 404 ICE requests led to transfers in 2025; residents argued courthouse ICE activity isn't captured.
Deer Creek flooding threat to Alpahtchi and Allensworth
The board again reaffirmed the county's local emergency declaration for winter storms and flooding, keeping emergency response and recovery authorities in place.
Leadership of County Behavioral Health Services
Tulare's brand-new shelter holds an open house June 5 with residents moving in by early summer. The county's behavioral health urgent care center has its roof and walls and should open by year's end, with the larger Casa Grande campus targeting 2027.
County cybersecurity posture
IT staff reported local governments are now the most-targeted hacking victims, with public sector break-ins rising from 36% to 61% of breaches. The county blocks tens of thousands of phishing emails monthly and joined a no-cost state monitoring partnership worth roughly $300,000 a year commercially.
Behavioral health services contracts and grant oversight
The state's BHSA overhaul is shrinking county behavioral health flexibility and money — the state now keeps 10% off the top (about $6 million more), prevention funding dropped from 30% to 5%, and the county's housing funding bucket is already over capacity. Crisis services may also stop being fully reimbursed, a potential $2 million-a-year hit.
HHSA Director Appointment and Leadership Transition
Natalie S. Bolin takes over the agency that runs public health, behavioral health, child welfare, and animal services. She flagged coming challenges from federal HR 1 changes and budget uncertainty, saying the agency is already preparing. If you rely on county services, this is the person steering them.
Suicide Prevention Initiative Moves to Public Health
The county is restructuring its suicide prevention work: Public Health now convenes prevention efforts under new state BHSA mandates, while Behavioral Health keeps the loss team and postvention services. A new community health coalition kicks off this winter. Local data shows a sharp spike in 2023 at 13.9 deaths per 100,000.
Sheriff Boudreaux fitness to serve allegations
Several speakers, including two who say they were stalked by Mike Boudreaux decades ago, urged the board to investigate the sitting sheriff and place him on administrative leave, citing alleged abuse of power and a substantiated CPS report involving a child. The board has limited authority over an elected sheriff.
Wildfire County Coordinator Program
The county's wildfire coordinator connects state priorities to local action — Firewise communities, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and GIS tools. Statewide, coordinators have helped secure over $104 million for mitigation. An extension with expanded funding comes back to the board in July.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Adult Protective Services received 1,920 reports of elder abuse last year. The Board proclaimed June 2026 Elder Abuse Awareness Month and highlighted caregiver burnout resources.
Wildfire season and power shutoff warnings from SCE
Southern California Edison's representative warned the board to expect more public safety power shutoffs this fire season due to heat, humidity and wind, and noted Edison remains the insurer of last resort until the state changes the system.
Sheriff armored vehicle purchases after Deputy Hoppe incident
The Sheriff's Office bought two armored vehicles — a Lenco rescue vehicle up to $500,000 and a Ring Power vehicle up to $645,000 — as sole-source purchases. Undersheriff Tom Sigley said borrowed Bearcats and a Rook saved lives during the April shooting that killed Deputy Hoppe, and the county will now stage armored resources north and south.