Agenda Item Wording:
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Membership Agreement - Receive update report on Tulare County Economic Development Corporation and authorize payment for first half of Fiscal Year 25/26 in the amount of $30,000 from existing Economic Development Division budget.
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Prepared by:
Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, devon.jones@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4190
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.city, (559) 713-4025
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended the City Council authorize payment to the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) for the first half of Fiscal Year (FY) 25/26 in the amount of $30,000 from existing Economic Development Division budget given prospect marketing and response services were rendered and given the City's involvement in the next iteration of the TCEDC.
Summary:
On October 20, 2025, City Council continued an item to consider payment to the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) for the current fiscal year (FY) until staff was able to discuss current and alternative service options, which have been ongoing. Since that time, considerable coordination efforts occurred between City staff, other participating jurisdictions and the Executive Committee of the TCEDC Board of Directors pertaining to the future of the TCEDC.
Currently, there are no TCEDC staff members employed by the agency. Within the last month, Mike Washam, Associate Director for Tulare County Resource Management Agency, and the Economic Development Department team at Tulare County have temporarily assumed the staff support role for the TCEDC, in addition to the current TCEDC Board Chair, County Supervisor Amy Shuklian, with support from the Executive Committee including Councilman Brian Poochigian.
Currently, a request for proposals is open (https://tularecountyedc.com/RFP) to identify a consultant to conduct a comprehensive organizational analysis and provide strategic recommendations to ...
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