IN THE WORKS

SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER

TULARE COUNTY

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY

The RMA's Road Crew wraps up 75-mile Chip Seal Program Project in September.

LATEST UPDATES

FROM THE RMA

Good News
Public Works
Economic Development, Planning & Tourism
Building & Permit Center
Fiscal and Administrative Services & Human Resources
Grants & Resources
RMA Monthly Data Report

GOOD NEWS

The long-awaited Tony’s Taverna restaurant in Three Rivers will officially open on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with a final soft opening on Thursday, October 2. Owners Tony and Maritza Konnaris are excited to bring authentic Greek cuisine and new fine-dining options to the Sequoias community of Three Rivers, California.

Welcome Message

Dear Tulare County Community Members and Visitors,

Infrastructure and economic growth go hand-in-hand. When we invest in roads, permitting support, and planning assistance, we are paving the way for businesses and residents to thrive. Thanks to the $1 million in road funding secured by Senator Melissa Hurtado this past year, we’ve been able to improve roadways in Lindcove, Earlimart, Ivanhoe, Springville, Richgrove, Goshen, and beyond, making travel safer for families, more reliable for agricultural workers and transport, and more efficient for local businesses.

Every paved mile of asphalt represents opportunity, safety, and connection. These investments remind us that infrastructure is ultimately about people, and about strengthening the communities we are proud to call home. They also highlight how strategic planning and permitting support can directly facilitate business growth across Tulare County.

One recent example is the soon-to-open Tony’s Taverna in Three Rivers, a project that transformed the former We Three Bakery into a Santorini-style Greek fine dining restaurant. With assistance from the RMA’s Planning and Permitting Divisions, owners Tony and Maritza Konnaris were able to bring their vision to life. The restaurant, which began as a popular food truck along State Route 198, has now become a multi-million-dollar investment, creating nearly 50 new jobs for the region and serving as a new destination for both residents and the millions of visitors who pass through the Gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks each year.

Together, our work in infrastructure and economic development continues to shape Tulare County into a place where communities, businesses, and families can prosper, and where visitors want to stop by and Discover Tulare County.

Best regards,

Michael Washam, ACE

RMA Associate Director

PUBLIC WORKS

ROADS CREW, ENGINEERING, & LAND SURVEYING TEAMS

Impact Report - $1 Million in Roads Funding Used to Improve Existing Infrastructure

The Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA) is proud to share the impact of the $1 million in road funding secured to improve rural infrastructure across our communities, thanks to Senator Melissa Hurtado and local partners. This one-time investment has transformed critical roadways, providing safer routes, stronger connections, and renewed confidence in the infrastructure that families, businesses, and farmworkers rely on every day.

The 2025 Impact Report highlights before-and-after photos from each project site, underscoring the visible difference these improvements make. Through careful stewardship, RMA allocated the funds for targeted road paving—covering a range of treatment techniques that ensure durability, longevity, and sustainability of our local road system.

Roadway Improvements by Community

Lindcove: Ave 306 from Road 224 to Road 228; Road 228 from Ave 306 to Ave 310
Earlimart: State Street from Clay Ave to Armstrong Ave
Delft Colony: Lawrence from Road 57 to End; Ave 397 from Road 56 to Road 57
Ivanhoe: Heather, Azalea, and Hawthorne Streets between Road 158–159 and Depot–Lantana
Springville: River View Dr., Fairway Dr., River Island Dr., Globe Dr., and Meadow Dr.
Richgrove: Road 224 from Ave 2 to Ave 8
Goshen: Commercial Road, Elder Ave, Road 70, and Woodbine Avenue

In addition, the remaining funds supported the 2024 Slurry Seal Project, completed on December 3, 2024, improving roads in East Tulare, Orosi, and Lindsay.

View the Impact Report

This map highlights ten Tulare County communities between Fresno and Kern counties where road improvements were completed with the help of $1 million in state funding: Lindcove, Earlimart, Delft Colony, Ivanhoe, Springville, Richgrove, Goshen, East Tulare, Orosi, and Lindsay. Altogether, these projects directly improved daily travel for 42,978 residents (roughly $23 per person) while also strengthening the routes relied on by thousands of agricultural workers, students, and service providers throughout the Central Valley, as well as visitors to our region.

These before-and-after photos show recent improvements to Road 70, from Avenue 308 to Avenue 310 in Goshen. The project was funded through $1 million in road repair funding secured in 2024 by Senator Melisa Hurtado for our region, and is highlighted in RMA’s 2025 Impact Report.

Chip Seal Wraps Up

The Tulare County Resource Management Agency (RMA) has successfully concluded its 2025 Chip Seal Program, completing nearly 75 miles of road improvements across unincorporated communities. This annual effort enhances rural road safety, extends pavement life, and ensures smoother travel for residents and visitors alike.

Communities from Richgrove to Goshen benefited from this year’s work, which provided a cost-effective surface treatment that helps protect roads against water damage, reduces glare, and improves skid resistance.

RMA extends its gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation during the program. Thanks to the dedication of our Public Works team, these improvements will serve Tulare County drivers for years to come.

Caution: Wherever lower speed signs are posted, please be cautious to prevent damange to windshields as there may still be loose gravel on the roadway.

Watch Our Wrap-Up Video

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING & TOURISM

Tony’s Taverna Opens in Three Rivers: You're Invited!

View Facebook Event

All are welcome to join the celebration as Tony and Maritza Konnaris cut the ribbon on Tony’s Taverna, their new Greek fine dining restaurant in Three Rivers.

The Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 2–7 p.m., hosted by the County of Tulare’s Economic Development Office in partnership with the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Supervisor Eddie Valero (District 4) will provide remarks during the ceremony.

This exciting addition to the Three Rivers community is the next chapter for the Konnaris family, who first introduced locals and park visitors to their authentic Greek flavors through the popular Tony’s Taverna On Wheels food truck.

Questions? Please contact the Economic Development Office team by email: economicdevelopment@tularecounty.ca.gov.

County Planning Commissioners Conference Comes to Tulare County in October

The 94th Annual Conference of the California County Planning Commissioners Association (CCPCA) is coming to Tulare County on October 24–25, 2025, and kicking off in the City of Tulare.

This two-day statewide event will convene planning commissioners, civic leaders, agency staff, and private-sector partners to explore the future of land use and infrastructure planning. In partnership with CCPCA, the County is proud to host the event with support from the City of Tulare, Eagle Mountain Casino, and Calgren Renewable Fuels.

Questions? Please contact the Economic Development Office team by email: economicdevelopment@tularecounty.ca.gov.

Download the Flyer

Thank you to current sponsors and event partners:

BUILDING & PERMIT CENTER

Need a Permit? We’re Here to Help!

From building permits to zoning requests, the RMA Permit Center is your go-to resource for navigating County processes. Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, or business owner, our staff is ready to assist - online or in person.

✅ And did you know? There’s a lot you can do online. Take a look at our new website:

tularecounty.ca.gov/rma/permits

You can:

Submit building permit applications
Report road issues or code violations
Look up parcel zoning info
Explore zoning entitlements

Permit Center Locations

Visalia (Government Plaza): 5961 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA
Mon–Thu: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Permit Window Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Porterville Center: 346 N. Porter Rd, Porterville, CA
Phone: (559) 782-6800

Questions? Email us at rma@tularecounty.ca.gov

RMA Permit Center staff are here to help and inform.

Pictured: RMA Planning Technician III Diego Lopez (left) provides information for community members and other staff.

Visit Our New Website

FISCAL SERVICES AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Tulare County Career Opportunities

Want to work towards something great? Work for the County of Tulare!

At the County of Tulare, every role makes a difference in strengthening our communities and shaping a brighter future. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to grow your skills, we offer opportunities that matter, supporting vital services, building infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and serving the people who call Tulare County home as well as those who are enjoying it on a memorable visit.

Explore current openings and find your next career path by visiting our website today.

View Openings

GRANTS & RESOURCES

The Sequoia Crest community, led by local residents through the Alder Creek Firesafe Council, has officially become a Firewise USA® Community. Announced on August 15, 2025, by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)®, this designation makes Alder Creek the third Firewise Community in Tulare County, joining Badger (recognized August 23, 2024) and Upper Tule—which encompasses Camp Nelson, Pierpoint, Coy Flat, Cedar Slope, Rogers Camp, Ponderosa, and Doyle Springs (recognized April 30, 2025).

Location of the Sequoia Crest community in Tulare County. Source: Wikipedia

Firewise USA®, supported by CalFire, helps neighborhoods reduce wildfire risks through education, collaboration, and long-term planning. With guidance from the Tulare County Forest Health Coordinator, Doreen Alvez, Sequoia Crest residents completed a risk assessment and three-year action plan focused on wildfire preparedness and fuel reduction.

RMA MONTHLY DATA REPORT

Latest RMA Data Packet Now Available

RMA Data is now available in a single data packet including information regarding:

Project Status Updates
Public Works Field Operations
Monthly Planning Report
Building and Housing Report

View the Packet Online

CONNECT WITH THE RMA

Several RMA initiatives also have an online presence. Search for the following accounts to keep up to date with the latest at our agency.

Tulare County RMA: Facebook • Instagram
Economic Development Office (Grow Tulare County): Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn
Tourism News: (Discover Tulare County): Facebook • Instagram

Have a Story in Mind?

Send over your story idea and it may just make it into a future edition of this publication! To learn more, contact RMA Media Specialist Lacey Patrick by email (lpatrick@tularecounty.ca.gov).