Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FEMA reimbursement for 2023 floods and 2020 fire secured
The county and several special districts are still waiting on FEMA reimbursements from the 2023 storms, with about $13 million owed to the county. Commissioners described months of no communication from FEMA and asked for a detailed status report at the June meeting.
Developing 2026–2027 El Niño Event emergency preparedness
The county has proclaimed a local emergency ahead of the developing El Niño event to position itself for storm and flood response. The Board ratified that proclamation and let county agencies fast-track purchases of emergency supplies and equipment.
Permanent supportive housing capacity nearly exhausted
The county has 235+ behavioral health beds and 136 more coming online at the renamed Monarch facility, but can't force people to accept them. Members and staff discussed how relationship-building at shelters and warming centers might get more unsheltered people into beds and treatment voluntarily.
FY 2026/27 County Budget Adoption
The preliminary budget projects $187.1 million in revenue and an $8.089 million fiscal year deficit, with claims spend raised dramatically from the prior consultant's estimates. A 50% stop loss premium increase is budgeted conservatively, and the plan will test the market against the captive arrangement.
Blocked HUD grant round threatens housed residents
HUD's 2025 funding notice was pulled after a lawsuit over caps on permanent supportive housing renewals; a federal judge has HUD operating under the 2024 NOFO for now. Roughly 100 people in Tulare County live in PSH funded by these renewals, and losing them could re-houselessness people who have been stably housed for years. A new, tougher NOFO is expected around summer.
Nitrate management zones and emergency water supply
Commissioner Kiel Taylor asked for an update from the Kaweah and Tule management zones, which track nitrate contamination and provide emergency water supplies to qualifying households. This affects residents in nitrate-affected areas of both subbasins.
Tuleville drinking water crisis
Tuleville's water has nitrates and hexavalent chromium at or near unsafe levels, so residents rely on bottled water deliveries. The long-term fix is consolidating with Exeter's water system, backed by a $7.7 million grant.