May 26, 2020
Tulare County Supervisors Board
2800 W Burrel Ave
Visalia, CA 93291
Delivered Via Email to:
Jason T. Britt Clerkoftheboard@co.tulare.ca.us, pvanderpoel@co.tulare.ca.us,
ashuklian@co.tulare.ca.us, dtownsend@co.tulare.ca.us, kcrocker@co.tulare.ca.us,
evalero@co.tulare.ca.us
Dear Tulare County Board of Supervisors,
While COVID-19 cases have impacted lives, livelihoods, and the safety of Tulare County
residents, constituents have looked to elected leaders for guidance and protections with public
health, science, and the well-being of their constituents in mind. Unfortunately, the Tulare
County Board of Supervisors (“Board”) has failed to adopt common sense measures such as
evictions protections for tenants and business owners, face masks mandates, essential worker
protections and assurances that establishments act in accordance with state mandates. These
actions have contributed to the economic and health impacts of Tulare County residents and to
the continued increases in COVID-19 cases such as major hot spots among essential
agricultural and food processing workers. In line with a track record of unreasoned decisionmaking, the Board voted to proceed to Phase 3 of the reopening of the County during their May
19th meeting despite not meeting State requirements for doing so and despite not having
followed state protocols for requesting variances from the state-wide shelter-in-place mandate.
The Board of Supervisors took this action without consulting with public health officials,
impacted communities, essential workers, or city governments.
Additionally, and critically, this vote violated the Brown Act by taking action that exceeded the
language on the posted agenda (Government Code §54950 et seq). The agenda item during
which this vote was made was agendized as “2. Receive and update form the Health & Human
Services Agency on COVID-19 status and response efforts in Tulare County.” The agenda did
not include nor was it amended at any point in time to include a vote by the Board to reopen
indefinitely. The action taken by the Board is a direct violation of Government Codes §54954.2
and §54945.3. The Board did not include in their agenda language indicating a vote to reopen
the County 72 hours before and did not notify the public before the vote was taken. In fact, the
motion taken by Supervisor Townsend occurred after the public comment period for the original
item.
This action and decision follows the natural trajectory of this Board of Supervisors who has
minimized health impacts, minimized the impacted, and minimized the role of the public
throughout this crisis. Board members have consistently placed COVID infected individuals who
contracted the virus in nursing facilities and food processing facilities in a vacuum - not part of a

 community-wide problem or a community-wide effort toward a solution. Board members have
called to omit data from these food processing facilities and nursing homes from the County
totals in order to make the County seem as if they are meeting State guidelines. However, these
comments show that the Board does not acknowledge that the people who live and work in
these facilities are Tulare County residents and constituents. And, it fails to acknowledge that
they can spread the virus to other populations of the County. Many impacted people live in
multigenerational homes and communities where other members of their households continue
working. Thus, the total COVID case count is reflective of the County’s efforts to suppress
transmission and protect residents as much as possible.
Thursday’s vote to re-open the County was not only lawfully wrong, but dangerous as it puts the
health and safety of essential workers and vulnerable populations at risk. The Board failed to
consider or discuss protections for frontline workers during reopening discussions. Protections
such as ensuring sufficient PPE for workers, reduced operating capacities and healthcare if they
become sick are vital to prevent outbreaks as we have seen at Ruiz Foods and nursing
facilities. Frontline workers will continue to take on the most risk due to the Board’s decision and
lack of consideration. True leadership should consider all populations when making important
public health and economic decisions. Hasty and unreasonable decision-making puts Tulare
County residents and necessary emergency funding at risk. Every day that the County goes
without curing their violation, is another day they sacrifice essential workers, vulnerable
populations and healthcare workers and resources. We demand that the Board rectifies this
violation within 30 days as provided by Brown Act, and consults with community leaders during
a public meeting on actions to protect County residents.
In Community,
Blanca Escobedo, Policy Advocate, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
Mayra Becerra, Chairperson, Ivanhoe Community Council
Susana De Anda, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Community Water Center
Sarah K. Hutchinson, Policy Director, Interim Co-Executive Director, ACT for Women and
Girls
Nayamin Martinez, Director, Central California Environmental Justice Network
Reina Palma, Irene Paredes, Representatives, Matheny Tract Committee
Elena Salidvar, Resident, Pixley