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.
body
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 th...
Click here for full text