The Board of Supervisors today unanimously elected Supervisor James Ramos to serve as Board Chairman and Supervisor Robert A. Lovingood to serve as Vice Chairman for the next two years.
“I am honored my colleagues have chosen me to lead the Board over the next two years. It is truly humbling to serve as the first Native American Supervisor and now Chairman of the Board of Supervisors,” Chairman Ramos said.
“As Chairman, I plan to continue our work in bringing job growth to our region, programs to assist the homeless youth in our county, the development of innovative endeavors at the County Museum, and many other projects,” Chairman Ramos said. “The Board remains committed to working together as a team for the betterment of our San Bernardino County family, including our many residents, employees, and fellow elected officials. I look forward to working with our Vice Chairman Robert Lovingood and my colleagues to continue to bring positive change to the County of San Bernardino.”
Chairman Ramos and Vice Chairman Lovingood are both midway through their first terms on the Board. Chairman Ramos
represents the Third District, which includes Redlands, Highland, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, the Morongo Basin, the Big Bear Valley, Barstow, and portions of San Bernardino. Vice Chairman Lovingood represents the First District, which takes in most of the High Desert, including the cities of Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, Adelanto, and Needles.
“I want to thank Supervisor Curt Hagman for making the motion as well as my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors for placing their trust in me. I look forward to working closely with Board Chairman Ramos in advancing goals that will make San Bernardino County an even better place to live, work and do business,” Vice Chairman Lovingood said.
The Board also thanked outgoing Chair Janice Rutherford for her two years of service at the Board’s helm. Supervisor Rutherford commended her colleagues for working well as a team for the good of the county and tackling a list of key issues, including property tax relief for seniors, court funding, underwater mortgage relief, resolution of a divisive lawsuit against other public agencies, discussions on charter reform, and improving the County’s working relationship with neighboring Riverside County on issues of common concern. The two boards of supervisors conducted a joint meeting on September 16.
The voter-approved County Charter requires the Board to elect a Chair at its first meeting in January following an election of supervisors. The Chair serves as the Board’s general executive agent by presiding over meetings of the Board, signing contracts approved by the Board, and working with the Chief Executive Officer to set the Board’s agenda.
Covering more than 20,000 square miles and serving more than 2 million residents, the County of San Bernardino is the largest county in the United States in terms of area and the fifth largest in California in terms of population. The County’s 39 departments provide a wide range of vital public services to residents, visitors, and businesses in the areas of public safety, health care, land planning, recreation and culture, elections, airports, economic development, and aid to children, the elderly, veterans, and the poor.
County Government worked closely with San Bernardino Associated Governments, the county’s 24 cities and towns, residents, and community leaders to create a Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision. Elected leaders and other stakeholders are now focused on achieving the Vision by setting and working toward regional goals.
County Government is also focused on stabilizing the County’s ongoing fiscal health by achieving sustainable budget solutions, including making allowances for all potential liabilities and working with employees to reach compensation agreements that are fair to workers while ensuring long-term fiscal stability.