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.