Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Strathmore flooding at Friant-Kern Canal crossing
A new calibrated study found the Strathmore storm drain system is dramatically undersized where the creek crosses the Friant-Kern Canal, recommending upsized pipes, expanded ponding basins, and possibly more Success Lake capacity. Cost estimates are the next step.
Tipton Well No. 6A Completion Project
No bids came in for the Tipton well project, so the county awarded the construction contract to Travioli Construction for up to $750,570 using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Drought conditions and well permits
California is officially out of drought for the first time in recent memory, but 142 Tulare County households still get hauled water and about 1,600 rely on bottled water deliveries.
Delinquent water and sewer fees placed on tax roll
Residents of County Service Areas 1 and 2, East Orosi CSD, and Terra Bella who haven't paid water and sewer bills by July 31 will see the charges, penalties, and auditor fees added to their 2026/2027 property tax bills. About 198 accounts totaling roughly $93,000 are delinquent across CSA 1 and 2, and East Orosi runs a 15-16% delinquency rate.
Woodlake growth and Antelope Creek maintenance responsibility
The district pays Woodlake $27,000 a year to maintain a channel that mostly benefits the city, while collecting only $7,500 in taxes. Commissioners want the growing city to take on responsibility as it annexes county land.
Yettem and Seville water system improvements phase 2
The state-funded water improvement project serving Yettem and Seville got a deadline push from late 2025 to May 2028.
Friant-Kern Canal capacity correction funding
Friant Water Authority got $200 million in non-reimbursable federal money to rebuild pumping plants and extend the canal project north to the Tule River. Construction will interact with county bridges, rights-of-way, and Highway 190, so close coordination is needed.
Earlimart Interceptor Sewer Project award
The Board awarded the ARPA-funded Earlimart sewer project to 99 Pipeline for $1.4 million — well below the $2.1 million engineer's estimate — with $83,000 set aside for contingencies.
PFAS sampling at Road Yard 2/3 water system
The Board received sampling results for PFAS — so-called 'forever chemicals' — in Well 02 at the county's Visalia road yard water system.
Pharmacy costs and GLP-1 drugs
Pharmacy spending rose 6% in Q4, with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs a major driver. Rebates came in higher than projected, and members asked whether federal drug-price efforts could bring costs down.
106-foot cell tower near Earlimart
A new wireless monopole was approved on farmland near Avenue 4 and Road 184, which should mean better cell service for the Earlimart area.
Tule East Groundwater Agency Expansion
The City of Porterville officially joins the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency alongside Hope Water District, Ducor Water District, and the county.
Allensworth Meter Project funding increase
The Board passed through an extra $65,680 in state disadvantaged-community water funding to Allensworth, bringing the meter project to just over $430,000.
Kings River flood study
A FEMA-funded hydrology study of the Kings River is halfway done and will recommend flood-fighting alternatives, setting up future design and construction funding.
Lewis Creek flood mitigation on hold
Lewis Creek, a mess after the 2023 storms, has no funded fix — FEMA flood mitigation money dried up, and a $5 million Antelope Creek siphon study drew skepticism from a commissioner who'd rather spend the money elsewhere.
Sultana Area Stormwater & Recharge Project contract award
After Ares Eng LLC withdrew its bid, the Board awarded the construction contract to MAC General Engineering Inc. of Exeter for up to $485,465, plus $36,773 in contingency funding. The project builds local stormwater and groundwater recharge capacity.
Success Reservoir Enlargement funding
Supervisor Townsend reported a $14.6 million federal appropriation for the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project has passed through House energy and water appropriations, sponsored by Congressman Fong and co-sponsored by Congressman Valadao.