Tulare County $2.1B budget hearing meeting open to public Tuesday morning

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Tulare County supervisors are preparing to approve a $2.1 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with plans to boost fire services and pay down debt.

County Administrative Officer Jason Britt said the budget reflects the county's commitment to fiscal responsibility.

"We are proud that we continue to be fiscally conservative, that we continue to have a budget that we feel sets us on a good path in the future," Britt said.

The spending plan includes a 4% cost-of-living raise for county employees and the payoff of more than $20 million in debt.

The Tulare County Fire Department will see a $6 million budget increase, bringing its budget to $42 million.

Fire Chief Charlie Norman said the funding will help purchase about 200 new self-contained breathing apparatus units, which are lighter and equipped with the latest technology. The devices will cost about $3.4 million.

"They are state-of-the-art and very necessary to keep our people safe," Norman said.

Additional funds will go toward new service trucks and a fire station in Goshen near Highway 99, expected to open in fall 2026.

A public budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Tulare County Administration Office at 2800 West Burrel Avenue in Visalia.

More details can be found here.

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