GOSHEN, Tulare County — October 28, 2026. The cost of Goshen’s new fire station project is under renewed public scrutiny after a contract amendment appeared on the October 27 Tulare County Board of Supervisors agenda. Agenda Item 17 proposed increasing the contract with Forcum-Mackey Construction, Inc. by $536,454.64, from $7,025,000 to $7,561,454.64.
What does the additional money cover?
The official county item attributes the proposed increase to unforeseen conditions, changes to project finishes and modifications of the original work scope. The new amount, if confirmed in the final executed amendment, would represent an increase of approximately 7.6% over the previous contract value. Those explanations come from the county’s own agenda language; they are not independent findings of wrongdoing or contractor error.
Where is the new station?
The project address in the agenda is 31041 Robinson Road, Visalia, CA, in the Goshen area. Earlier Tulare County planning documents explained that the previous Goshen fire station at 30901 Road 67 had become too small for modern fire apparatus and equipment and that Betty Drive traffic complicates emergency-vehicle access from the existing site. The newer site was planned on county-owned land near the community park.
Because published records refer to projects at different stages, California58 is not reporting that the new fire station opened on October 27 or that all work is finished. A contract amendment is a financial and construction-management step, not an opening announcement.
Has the board approved the increase?
The county’s online participation tracker marks Item 17 as completed during the October 27 meeting. That public status does not by itself provide a roll-call tally or final executed contract. Until the county’s approved minutes or contract record can be reviewed, the figures are presented as the proposed amendment listed in the official meeting materials, not a fully audited final project cost.
Why residents should follow the cost
Emergency response facilities support service to Goshen and neighboring communities. Construction investment can improve equipment capacity and crew operations, but residents have a legitimate interest in the reasons for changing costs, the expected completion date and whether public infrastructure projects remain within budget. Questions can be directed to county officials; approval records and change orders are public documents that can clarify the outcome.
Official source: Tulare County Board of Supervisors, October 27, 2026 — consent calendar Item 17; County General Services Capital Projects records. California58 will update this story on its original URL when the outcome and completion schedule are confirmed.
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