Agenda Item Wording:
title
Tulare County Economic Development Corporation membership agreement - Receive update report on Tulare County Economic Development Corporation and authorize payment for second half of Fiscal Year 25/26 in the amount of $30,000 from existing Economic Development Division budget.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager Devon.Jones@visalia.gov, 713-4190; John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize payment to the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) for the second half of Fiscal Year (FY) 25/26 in the amount of $30,000 from existing Economic Development Division budget. Staff’s recommendation to proceed for the second half payment is given prospect marketing and response services have continued uninterrupted and given the City’s involvement in the reorganization of the TCEDC.
Summary:
Considerable coordination efforts have occurred between City staff, other participating jurisdictions and the TCEDC Board of Directors pertaining to the future of the TCEDC. Most recently, a request for proposals (RFP) process was initiated that identified Hickey Global as the preferred vendor to conduct a comprehensive organizational analysis and provide strategic recommendations to strengthen TCEDC’s effectiveness and alignment with member agency’s economic development goals. The analysis will identify a recommended organizational structure, an updated strategy to attract large job creators and high growth sectors, along with an Executive Director job description and recruitment support, as well as a two-year implementation roadmap. City staff provided input into this process and helped to interview and review Hickey Global for TCEDC Board consideration.
Hickey Global’s proposed budget is $82,510. The TCEDC Board recently voted to approve the service agreement with Hickey Global with the understanding that the organization currently has sufficient funds to pay for this service. There had been previous discussion of the City of Tulare, City of Visalia, and County of Tulare proportionally splitting this cost amongst the agencies but that was at a time when many municipalities and TCEDC members had not yet paid their membership dues. That has since changed and the TCEDC currently has sufficient funds in its budget to cover this consultant expense.
In addition, staff has continued to receive prospecting and marketing services from the TCEDC during this time. In its current form, the primary value of TCEDC services to City staff is the prospect response packaging and ongoing site marketing and outreach. Currently, there are no TCEDC staff members employed by the agency; however, Mike Washam, Associate Director for the Tulare County Resource Management Agency and the Economic Development Department team at Tulare County, have temporarily assumed the staff support role for the TCEDC ensuring services have continued to the partner agencies. Together, with considerable support from the current TCEDC Board Chair, County Supervisor Amy Shuklian, and the support of the TCEDC Executive Committee, including Councilman Brian Poochigian, staff believes prospecting services have continued uninterrupted.
Given this, and the City’s ongoing support of the TCEDC’s reorganization effort to date, staff is recommending payment for the second half of FY 25/26 in the amount of $30,000 from the existing Economic Development division budget.
Background Discussion:
TCEDC membership for the entire FY 25/26 is $60,000. This amount is currently budgeted in the Economic Development division budget. In recent fiscal years, the City made biannual payments of $30,000.
Fiscal impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
$30,000 from the existing Economic Development division budget. TCEDC membership for the entire FY 25/26 is $60,000.
Prior Council action:
03.2.2026 - Authorized payment of first half of TCEDC service fee, $30,000,
10.20.2025 - Continued an item to consider payment to TCEDC,
10.6.2025 - Continued an item to consider TCEDC payment,
06.17.2024 - Authorized continued membership,
08.07.2023 - Authorized increase in membership cost to $60,000,
04.17.2023 - Authorized continued membership
Alternatives: Per Council direction
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize payment to the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation for the second half of Fiscal Year (FY) 25/26 in the amount of $30,000.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments: None
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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☒ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☐  Infrastructure & Growth |
☐  Quality of Life |