District 1: Supervisor Larry Micari

In February, I attended the National Association of Counties (NACO) Legislative Conference and successfully advocated to have a resolution added to their national policy platform to recognize the service of Vietnam War SGU fighters. Going in, I knew that first effort would only keep the resolution active for six months, but it confirmed there was support from other counties across the country.

Fast forward to this month and I was in New Orleans for the NACO Annual Conference. This time, the goal was to get the resolution on the policy platform for a full year. I’m proud to say, my colleagues were still supportive of this effort and the Resolution on Expanding Veteran Benefit Eligibility is on the 2026-2027 American County Platform (page 175).

Over the next year, I will continue to advocate for the current Administration to allow CIA contracted groups to apply for eligibility for consideration under P.L. 95-202 and 32 C.F.R. for a determination of Active-Duty service.

District 2: Supervisor Pete Vander Poel

Last Friday, the ceremonial ribbon was cut on the International Agri-Center Way interchange in Tulare. The public-private project cost $79.9 million while improving transportation in south Tulare and opening new opportunities for economic development.

The project is a true public-private partnership. Land was donated by the Faria family, the environmental impact report was paid for in part by the International Agri-Center, and funding for the project came from Measure R funds ($26.5 million), state grants ($27.9 million), federal funds ($16 million), and private funding ($9.5 million). Thank you to the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) and all the stakeholders who made this project possible.

Paige Avenue is the next part of Highway 99 to see work in Tulare. Caltrans has plans to improve the interchange over the next three years.

District 3: Supervisor Amy Shuklian

Every day across Tulare County, thousands of local transactions rely on a single, unspoken assumption: the math is real.

When you pump fifteen gallons of gas off Highway 99, weigh a bag of tomatoes in Visalia, or charge your vehicle in Porterville, you trust you are getting exactly what you pay for. Behind that trust is an office most residents never think about: The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures.

Operating under the California Business and Professions Code, the agency’s job is simple: maintain Equity in the Marketplace. They don't take sides between buyers and sellers; they just enforce exact accuracy.

Inspectors canvas the county year-round, testing fuel pumps for volume and contamination, calibrating commercial food scales, checking scanner prices against shelf tags, and verifying electric vehicle chargers.

Small errors compound fast. A pump that miscounts by just 1% can drain hundreds of dollars from a driver over time—or quietly force an honest business out of trade. And with today’s gas prices you want to make sure you are getting what you paid for!

By sticking an official seal of approval on calibrated devices, Tulare County makes sure that behind every fair transaction, someone checked the math first.

District 4: Supervisor Eddie Valero

A new school year is nearly here, bringing fresh opportunities, new friendships, and exciting possibilities for students, teachers, and families throughout Tulare County. As classrooms fill once again, I want to wish every student an incredible year of learning, growth, and success.

The first few weeks of school also mean a significant increase in traffic throughout our communities. School buses are back on the roads, parents are dropping off and picking up students, and more children will be walking and riding bicycles to school.

Please help us keep everyone safe by:

Slowing down in and around school zones.

Watching carefully for children crossing streets, especially during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal.

Stopping for school buses when required by law.

Planning ahead and giving yourself extra travel time to avoid rushing.

Exciting progress continues in Goshen with the construction of the new Tulare County Fire Department Fire Station #7.

The current station has faithfully served our community for many years, but it no longer meets the operational needs of today’s firefighters. As Goshen has grown, the existing facility has become outdated, undersized, and less efficient for modern emergency response. The new station is being built to provide firefighters with the space, equipment, and access they need to respond quickly and effectively when seconds matter most.

Located near the Goshen Community Park, the new facility will improve emergency response not only for Goshen but also for neighboring communities throughout the region. Its location will provide faster access to major roadways, helping firefighters reach emergencies more efficiently while supporting future growth in our county.

District 5: Supervisor Dennis Townsend

The Tulare County Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 26/27-30/31 has just been approved by the Board. It is a 5-year, $87.1 million plan to address maintenance, improvements and construction of County facilities and infrastructure. It is compiled and managed by the General Services Agency (GSA) at the direction of the Board. The plan reflects and implements the Board’s priorities and strategies to keep County structures and support services viable and modern to better serve County residents.

Projects planned in the CIP include Sheriff’s training facilities, substations, fire stations, remodels, additions, libraries, health facilities, landfill expansions, energy efficiency upgrades, parking lots, water connections, tenant improvements, and communications towers just to name a few. These plans are forward-thinking and the projects are a tangible outgrowth of the priorities of Tulare County leadership.

View the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) presentation at https://tularecounty.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=88c5afe9-16ca-4fd4-be3c-882626e894a3.