Visalia council may seek additional revenue

Increasing Internet sales are reducing the city’s sales tax revenues. At the same time changing demographics mean a smaller percentage of individuals’ income is subject to sales tax.

As a result of these trends, it is likely that the city’s ability to fund needed projects and current service levels will not be sustained over the long term, according to a new city report.

“The most obvious area of concern is the city’s most recent sales tax measure, Measure T, which is not meeting what was considered at its inception to be modest sales tax projections of 3 percent growth per year,” the report stated.

A ballot measure in 2016 could ask voters for more help. Depending on how it is structured, a measure could need just a 50 percent approval to pass.

Farm jobs head lower - nonfarm stays strong

The unemployment rate in the Tulare County was 13.2 percent in March 2015, down from a revised 13.4 percent in February 2015, and below the year-ago estimate of 15.9 percent.

A closer look shows March farm jobs saw the first real sign of the impact of the drought with ag-related employment down 1,400 - a drop of 4.6 percent from a year ago. Meanwhile, nonfarm jobs increased 2,990 — up 2.6 percent. Construction-related jobs rose 11.6 percent.

March home sales rise

Tulare County existing home sales rose 20 percent in March — month-over-month — and were up 7 percent from a year ago. The median home price in March was $182,630 — up from $160,830 in 2014.

March new home construction strong in Visalia

Visalia permitted 53 new homes in March 2105 — compared to 26 in March 2014. For the year-to-date, new home permits are up 52 percent.

New shoe seller on Mooney

Developer Dave Paynter has signed a lease with Designer Shoe Warehouse at his shopping center on South Mooney Boulevard, anchored by Dicks Sporting Goods. They will take 10,330 square-feet in the shopping center. DSW operates 431 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as 370 leased departments for other retailers in the United States under the Affiliated Business Group.

The shoe retailer will open this year.

Pacific STIHL expanding again

Pacific STIHL has purchased a 140,000-square-foot building on Ferguson Avenue in Visalia’s Industrial Park, according to manager Larry Blamer. The power tool distributor is in a much smaller leased building now. They hope to move in July after construction is complete. The new facility, nearly triples the square footage available to Pacific STIHL and more than doubles its dock doors from eight to 18. It also enables the company to continue same-day fulfillment of dealer orders.

Derrels Mini Storage seeks south Visalia location

Derrels Mini Storage is on the grow again hoping to get county supervisors approval to build a 19-acre mini storage building on Avenue 280, Caldwell Avenue and South Roeben Street, just outside the Visalia’s city limits. The plan would include three phases and begin later this year.