Agenda Item Wording:
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Membership Agreement - Continue this item to a future City Council meeting after staff has been able to discuss current and alternative service options with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
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Prepared by:
Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, devon.jones@visalia.gov <mailto:devon.jones@visalia.gov>, (559) 713-4190 Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.city <mailto:paul.bernal@visalia.city>, (559) 713-4025.
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended the City Council continue this item to future City Council meeting after staff has been able to discuss current and alternative service options with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Summary:
On October 6, 2025, City Council directed staff to continue an item to receive a report from the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) and continue membership for FY 25/26 through December 2025 in the amount of $30,000 while staff assessed current and other potential service options for the remainder of FY 25/26 for future Council action. However, staff would recommend continuing this item further to a future City Council meeting after staff has been able to discuss current and alternative service options with the TCEDC Board of Directors given recent staff changes at the TCEDC.
Background Discussion:
The TCEDC has provided the attached report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 activity and requested continued membership for the City of Visalia for the FY 25/26 in the amount of $60,000 (budgeted in Economic Development division budget).
In general, staff believes there is value in partnering in regional efforts to promote economic development. However, due to the City’s own efforts to provide a high quality industrial park with many viable ‘shovel ready’ industrial sites, coupled with the efforts of a highly invested industrial development community of well-established speculative builders, property owners, local industrial real estate brokers, and the close partnership with the Visalia EDC and other strategic economic development partners such as the Tulare County WIB and the COS Training Resource Center, it is difficult to assert that all of the services TCEDC offers are necessary for continued growth in the industrial park. Currently, several other TCEDC member jurisdictions are scrutinizing the return on investment of TCEDC membership in its current configuration and with the current work program in place. It is staff’s understanding that several jurisdictions have not yet signed contracts or paid for the current fiscal year dues. Now, given the recent departure of the Executive Director, staff would like to assess next steps with the Board of Directors and then return to Council with options to consider.
TCEDC membership for the entire FY 25/26 would be the same amount as this year, $60,000. This amount is currently budgeted in the Economic Development division budget. Last FY, the City made biannual payments of $30,000.
Fiscal Impact: None at this time.
Prior Council Action:
• 06.17.2024 - Authorized continued membership,
• 08.07.2023 - Authorized increase in membership cost to $60,000,
• 04.17.2023 - Authorized continued membership
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Per Council direction
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to continue this item to future City Council meeting after staff has been able to discuss current and alternative service options with the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 10/20/2025
Attachments:
• Attachment 1 - TCEDC report and mock prospect response packet
• Attachment 2 - PowerPoint Presentation