By JENNA CHANDLER

THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER

Tulare County will consider using its eminent domain power again Tuesday at a regular board of supervisors meeting.

The seizure of a 40-foot-wide by 1-mile-long parcel would be used in the county’s Road 80 widening project.

An attempt to thwart the land grab was made Sept. 1 by property owner Willemina Van Grouw when she asked the county to prove it would be cheaper to take her land rather than use county-owned property on the other side of Road 80.

The question prompted supervisors to postpone their eminent domain vote until Tuesday, although they voted unanimously to take two other parcels owned by Arie De Jong and Pier Van Der Hoek and Darlene Van Der Hoek.

Contract dispute

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, supervisors will determine the salary and benefit plans for employees of the Public Defender’s and District Attorney’s offices, all members of the union Government Lawyers Association of Workers.
At contention: GLAW believes its members are working under a contract effective through June 30, 2010, which Tulare County’s Human Resource’s department disputes.

Human Resources is asking the board to approve its last, best and final offer made to GLAW’s bargaining unit, which includes the suspension of several benefit packages and a 40-hour furlough.

The county has settled with all other unions, and they have agreed to similar terms, according to County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau.

Budget adoption

At 1:30 p.m., after their regular meeting, supervisors are scheduled to vote on the 2009-2010 recommended budget of $923.3 million.

Compared to last year, the proposed budget is slimmer by $27.5 million, or 2.9 percent.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors meets in Board Chambers in the County Administrative Office, 2800 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia.

– Contact Jenna Chandler at 784-5000, Ext. 1050, or jchandler@portervillerecorder.com.