-June2,2020-
Sequoia Shuttle canceled for 2020
The 2020 summer season of the Sequoia Shuttle has been canceled.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The National Park Service and the City of Visalia have decided that the Sequoia Shuttle system will not have a 2020 season,” stated Angelina Soper, City of Visalia Transit Manager. “While the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed, it’s been determined that when the Parks re-open, we will not be able to safely move passengers using the shuttle system within the limitations of the current CDC recommended social distancing and safety standards.”
Almost one million visitors were transported within the Park in the 2019 season through Visalia Transit’s Sequoia Shuttle, with thousands more utilizing the Shuttle from pick-up and drop-off points in Visalia and the surrounding foothill stops.
“In addition to budget constraints due to park closures, the volume of passengers we serve is not conducive to effective social distancing. Limiting the number of riders on the buses would still leave hundreds of passengers huddled together at bus stops, so we have chosen to act in the best interest of public health and safety,” added Soper.
For those who purchased gift certificates for the 2020 season, Visalia Transit will honor them during the next open Sequoia Shuttle season. For additional information or questions, call 877-BUS-HIKE or visit www.sequoiashuttle.com.
Cox will run for another 4-year term
Veteran public servant Phil Cox says he will run for another term on the Visalia City Council with an election pending this November. Cox represents District 1 on the council. ”I am ready for one more term” says Cox who has served multiple terms on the council as well a stint as a County supervisor.
“By the end of my term I hope we can see the completion of the city police station and City Hall in the Civic Center area along with improving Riggin Ave. He adds he hopes to see more housing in multiple quadrants of the city as the NW fills up.” I hope to see these big projects completed.”
Cox last ran for this seat in 2016.He served on the Board of Supervisors from 2005 to 2016. He served on city council previously in 2001 and as vice mayor in 2004-05. Before that he was on the city planning commission.
The other seat on the council is being vacated by another veteran public servant – Bob Link, representing District 1 who says he will not run again.
Visalia expects 9% decline in sales tax
The City of Visalia is not expecting to permanently lay off significant numbers of employees if budget projections hold out.Compared to other California cities more dependent on tourism Visalia appears to be in better shape due to past policies that include not filling vacant positions and having a rainy day fund.
The Visalia City Council is hearing budget projections this week. The city’s two largest tax revenues are Sales Tax and Property Tax. The statewide stay-at-home order has significantly impacted sales tax. Prior to the order, sales tax was projected to have a growth for the year of 3-4%. This projection has now been changed to reflect a 9% ($2.7 million) decrease.
The City’s Property Tax revenue is projected to increase by 1% each year due to the improvement in residential and commercial real estate sales and assessed values. Property values will not be affected in FY 2020/21 or FY 2021/22 if a recession occurs due to increases or decreases in property values typically lagging a year or two.
The City budgets all allocated positions and currently the General Fund has 21 vacancies. On an annual basis, the General Fund has $2 to $3 million in vacancy savings which will be used to eliminate the deficit says a report.
Council member Phil Cox says “our employees are the city” and all effort has been made to accommodate them during the COVID crisis. “We went from a $6.5 million surplus to break even and under the circumstances – I think we are doing really well.”