[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566036,"mediaKeyId","3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d","parentId",3210771,"title","Council approves appeals‑officer appointments; members ask broader review of code enforcement and graffiti enforcement","audioSeconds",1011,"startMs",3053525,"endMs",4064815,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d&start=3053&end=4064","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d/thumbnail_3053525.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566036/Hanford/Kings-County/California/Council-approves-appealsofficer-appointments-members-ask-broader-review-of-code-enforcement-and-graffiti-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566036-7050a3d2480a89087dc44831f4f752bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205154&Signature=eT1KdmrQwZvGlZT~WDX170FJ5ZbyLnW6Lh1DC2sHkWVaoRHobU2RMLWHMLkhlx3mJCJLBtEgeqf-7OK6CrK~SEiGjUASfpzkQy3KrbjEFi6rI~gCSSRp2Ob2x~~9zLvRvtbCn7CUJAZ1tJKPCtrtWExp~Ed7zpwRCXcM1kv16dQzuuIFibWVGMiQ~uXD3LFaAJKtMdi3C88iWSfnqcOwA~ivesbSi7U0X5TjWyeTsYBwq80JST0R2ltY5JeP5eE3sVIgy82VEuW4Qu1t2i-oblFEeLaE-NGL7P9773JsLPYAaabWGvGKyU4yLclgs~lurovkUDqJIVSuyf8geyJ1dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hanford","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Hanford — The Hanford City Council approved consent item C on May 6, which included appointment of appeals officers for code‑enforcement hearings, and held an extended discussion about graffiti responses, citation language and the complaint‑driven nature of enforcement.

Local business owner Onan Champey had pulled the consent item to ask why property owners receive notices when graffiti or dumped trash appears on their parcels. Champey said his properties are repeatedly tagged and he has been subject to administrative notices despite not being the person who painted or dumped trash. He asked the council to reconsider aspects of enforcement that penalize property owners for vandalism by third parties.

Staff explained the city’s process: complaints are typically reported through the ClickFix app, code enforcement responds and — if a violation is found — staff issues a notice giving the property owner time to abate. City staff said citations are generally administrative fines and that criminal prosecution is “extremely rare.” The city attorney told the council it was his recollection that the code‑enforcement citations are administrative in nature; staff agreed to review citation language after council raised concerns that some citation notices used wording that appeared to reference criminal penalties.

Council members asked for a broader review of code enforcement practice, including the phrasing of notices, the appeal fee and refund process, proactive versus complaint‑driven enforcement, and the city’s ability to remove graffiti from private property. Staff noted legal limits on painting private property with public funds and said staff will bring a broader code‑enforcement discussion to a future meeting and will contact property owners as appropriate in specific cases.

The council then voted to approve the consent item (appointments for appeal hearings); a council member made the motion and it passed 5‑0.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hanford - City Council - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Hanford — The Hanford City Council approved consent item C on May 6, which included appointment of appeals officers for code‑enforcement hearings, and held an extended discussion about graffiti responses, citation language and the complaint‑driven nature of enforcement.","taxTitle","Hanford, Kings County, California","taxId",4030,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566051,"Hanford staff presents balanced draft operating budget for fiscal 2026–27; Measure H shown separately",1264,22225,1287190,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d&start=22&end=1287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d/thumbnail_22225.jpg","/articles/6566051/Hanford/Kings-County/California/Hanford-staff-presents-balanced-draft-operating-budget-for-fiscal-202627-Measure-H-shown-separately","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566051-ca9018676a237304230d48803f65b407/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205154&Signature=JNs82FZvDqwrvfzK5FxRh66dm~PAdjwRvQ8kTeREoJVHzuf1DWMaE4Xgl6Huph6gw5gbdEKBDm5gHx7sg9EFRTjW6SGNoSEsaO1lO~CT6vc4TI4wgbDmNlj~B~dJwioo7vvpRYKkBHFI7YE6gicrWJkKjwCHUcdeZMoTlS7hEgw1VcZ1O3O6-DfVss1I-sDS2gGKQDdmmNa6k-IaV0jKZAklsaDsEwvCR2U8ciRsuqwVgNvPzXP7pEYZdpdkjXgRCz~3nRlwzwIvug5EGVPtQPmSLs6Z0cUZpC1QLBRw5gycmbqfIa81XAH8eE4COX2L8uE9Rtg3~pfNGOi9XwtY4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hanford — City finance staff presented a draft operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 at the Hanford City Council study session on May 6, showing a structurally balanced general fund plan and separate accounting for Measure H revenue.

Finance Director Chris Tavares told the council the proposed appropriations total about $140.8 million for fiscal 2026 and $150.8 million for fiscal 2027 and that the document before the council is a balance of ongoing revenues and expenditures. “It’s a structurally, balanced budget and that the revenues cover the ongoing expenses,” Tavares said.

The presentation outlined revenue and expenditure assumptions and the city’s timetable: staff will return for a final overall budget review on May 20 and for a public hearing and adoption on June 3. No votes were required at the May 6 study session.

City staff highlighted several items that drive year‑to‑year changes. Property and sales tax projections show moderate growth into 2027, but staff said regional spending trends and economic uncertainty informed a conservative sales‑tax estimate for 2026. A one‑time insurance reimbursement of about $17.5 million is included in projected revenues to offset recent settlement expenses; staff described that amount as a nonrecurring item. General‑fund capital spending shown in the draft is roughly $2.1 million for 2026 and $4.1 million for 2027, but staff said grant offsets and reimbursements could reduce those general‑fund draws to “a little less than a million” in 2026 and about $700,000 in 2027 if grants are awarded.

Tavares said enterprise divisions — water, sewer, storm drain, refuse, utility billing and building safety — account for about 40% of total expenditures. Public safety (police and fire) is shown at roughly $30.6 million. The draft keeps the city’s full‑time employee count at 332 across the two fiscal years; the Measure H fund is shown separately and is projected to add 20 positions (staff noted 15 of those positions are public‑safety related).

On reserves, staff reported an unrestricted fund balance of about 12.61% based on audited figures and a council target of 35% of general‑fund appropriations. Staff said meeting the 35% target would require raising reserves to roughly 17.7%–18.9% by 2026–27 under the current budget assumptions. Council members raised questions about retirement, medical insurance and workers’ compensation cost increases, which staff said are largely driven by factors outside local control and which staff are actively monitoring.

Council members and staff discussed Measure H accounting several times. Tavares and budget staff emphasized that Measure H revenues (a voter‑approved 1% sales surcharge) will be tracked in a separate measure fund and are not reflected in the general‑fund sales‑tax line shown in the draft. For financial‑statement purposes the money may appear on consolidated statements, but for budgetary accountability it is maintained in its own fund with its own 15% reserve goal, staff said.

Staff reiterated that the draft is under continuous review and that adopted budgets may be updated at any regular council meeting as forecasts change. Tavares closed the presentation by reminding the council that the city will return on May 20 to complete budget review and again on June 3 for the public hearing and adoption of the final budget and the Gann appropriation limit.

Council members thanked the finance team for preparing a balanced draft and asked staff to continue monitoring insurance, retirement and workers’‑comp costs and bring back updated charts in future sessions.","Hanford — City finance staff presented a draft operating budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 at the Hanford City Council study session on May 6, showing a structurally balanced general fund plan and separate accounting for Measure H revenue.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566041,"Council narrowly approves mural at the Plunge; design, funding and volunteer plans debated",466,4108940,4575425,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d&start=4108&end=4575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d/thumbnail_4108940.jpg","/articles/6566041/Hanford/Kings-County/California/Council-narrowly-approves-mural-at-the-Plunge-design-funding-and-volunteer-plans-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566041-3a3456e016c1fa268e527b7b283f15e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205154&Signature=hRcmwIiIFb~Kt9TL7pcFikYhVNoLUz2pAsKeyZGiYnjIE2-tYyU1mj5q0Pqpsly6fExL4otKNNpqaz-arBxPf2YxNQVFVrjLbxazKvOdqM25Q1DiF4cK2tiLNkfHvUwS3MXCKo-b2de-Nlx7MkiF26ckZ6YIH7~MJJ1PnhKBkQJVfielGjJ8eQ3dpKKPYzk1rMwZxL0dnA0b3pZxqVn6iMT0ehdmwz5qqa~X~zPc~VwH6~UwLiAGvDGCVpVOAyhFP3rQn4-uP7bz1lBekvzDUPuHmDcW5tWtB4fBeMzJTtUWRIAmsOhjElG3MhW23VMJL-INEA94veCgfDn1cCpt9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hanford — The Hanford City Council approved a mural for the Plunge on Lacey Boulevard by a 3‑2 vote at its May 6 meeting after discussion about design, funding and timing.

Staff explained the cost for the project would be small — staff estimated the paint and supplies would likely cost no more than about $150 — and said a grant (staff discussed a connection to a Boys and Girls Club grant) and volunteer labor would be used. Staff also said the mural would be coated with an anti‑graffiti product to make future cleanups easier and that volunteers from the community and youth at the Boys and Girls Club would assist; labor would be volunteer community service rather than paid labor.

Several council members expressed preferences about the mural design. One council member suggested incorporating more of the existing marine life imagery that appears on adjacent walls to create visual continuity; another said the simple, retro style and blue water theme suited the Plunge and cautioned against too much detail that might distract drivers on the busy street. Staff said they hoped to complete the mural before the regular summer season and that the work would be modest in scale.

After discussion, a motion to approve the mural passed 3‑2. Council members said they wanted the work to be completed in time for summer programming at the Plunge and sought clarity about whether the project would be paid or volunteer‑led; staff confirmed volunteer participation and modest material costs covered by grant funds.

The council vote followed a staff recommendation and a public‑comment period earlier in the meeting in which local artists and Main Street Hanford expressed support for more public art downtown.","The City Council approved a proposed mural at the Plunge on Lacey Boulevard by a 3‑2 vote on May 6. Council members and staff discussed design continuity with existing marine life artwork, an anticipated cost of roughly $150 covered by a grant, volunteer labor, and anti‑graffiti coating.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566046,"Hanford council votes to place 12% transient‑occupancy tax increase on November ballot",331,4810135,5141205,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d&start=4810&end=5141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3210771-a77af0ab39c0577fb5359d5c1982a38d/thumbnail_4810135.jpg","/articles/6566046/Hanford/Kings-County/California/Hanford-council-votes-to-place-12-transientoccupancy-tax-increase-on-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566046-f6ff0c4fa8a919fc430e73bf7d5e17fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205154&Signature=Xv92~gwXP7x3pf7yj4ec1HGogafh68fyNo4HcmAB5sdnmviG5-3IDNIpXKokaUYMWcLr9NNe-0dQHPb8SAzoMqe9wT-V-uwlMhIpkRUXoTEbGQYgGxrEfV86kamxZzpUmp5D3QsSGeAX-KdOV4Zs~3aHF7xYeuyQCHUdmE8i392I2TZ7qpKOCpPDp2e5CrXq75UP-lKyLYKtz-LrNl70bw~XkDXuGXtuuU4qsqk634jzJqINeWENBI11fbtgC9CImXjVXXWtK7NVVQiFFgA5m4C8I6XnR6cdjLxPDMcMk5c8RCEI1W-oSUBbjNU2oQC6F--EiK7tW--YM1d2LQ22CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hanford — The Hanford City Council voted 5‑0 on May 6 to place a measure on the November ballot asking voters to raise the city’s transient‑occupancy tax (TOT) from 8% to 12%.

Finance staff told the council the current TOT rate is 8% and has not been updated since 1985. “If we were to increase the rate to 10%, it would bring in approximately $187,500. If we were to increase to 12%, it would provide additional revenue annually of $375,000,” a staff presenter said during the council meeting.

Council members from across the dais supported the 12% proposal, citing parity with neighboring cities and the fact that the fee is paid by visitors rather than residents. Council members said proceeds would bolster general‑fund services such as police, fire, parks and streets.

The council directed staff to prepare a resolution to meet the August ballot‑placement deadline and to return with the formal resolution and implementing language. The motion to place the 12% proposal on the ballot passed unanimously.

If approved by voters in November, the increase would take effect as set in the placing resolution; staff said additional administrative steps would follow to notify lodging establishments and to implement collection.

Council members said they did not expect the incremental rate change to significantly affect visitor behavior when choosing lodging.","The Hanford City Council voted unanimously on May 6 to place a proposal on the November ballot to raise the city’s transient‑occupancy (hotel) tax from 8% to 12%, with staff estimating additional annual revenue of roughly $375,000 at the 12% level.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves appeals‑officer appointments; members ask broader review of code enforcement and graffiti enforcement

Hanford staff presents balanced draft operating budget for fiscal 2026–27; Measure H shown separately

Council narrowly approves mural at the Plunge; design, funding and volunteer plans debated

Hanford council votes to place 12% transient‑occupancy tax increase on November ballot