Board actions, May 20 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

A "San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Meeting Actions" banner with five members standing in front of the County Government Center. — *The Board of Supervisors took several actions during its regular board meeting on May 20.*

Board discretionary funding supports community and economic development

The Board of Supervisors approved more than $2.4 million in funding for community enrichment and economic development projects through the District Specific Priorities Program.

Funding allocations include:

Approximately $569,00 from Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s District Specific Priorities Program to the City of San Bernardino to enhance Newmark Ballfield with shade structures, fencing, landscaping and other amenities.
$22,000 from First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook’s (Ret.) District Specific Priorities Program to the Apple Valley Soccer Club for field repairs and equipment.
$100,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Ontario Pro Soccer for youth soccer camps, prioritizing foster youth.
Approximately $1.34 million from to the City of San Bernardino for upgrades at La Plaza Park, including ADA improvements, new playground equipment and infrastructure repairs.
$300,000 from Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority for a long-term infrastructure planning study.
$50,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Regional Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire for economic development and workforce initiatives.
$26,000 from Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to support the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association Charity Fund, including the Fallen Heroes and Every Day Heroes Fund and the Shop with a Cop program.
$11,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the San Bernardino County Museum Association for future Bucky Ball events.

These investments reflect the board’s commitment to enhancing quality of life and economic opportunity across the county in alignment with the Countywide Vision.

County accepts federal grant to enhance emergency preparedness

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) is receiving an approximately $504,000 grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services through the fiscal year 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The two-year grant will support the county’s efforts to strengthen emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for natural and man-made disasters.

OES will retain approximately $217,000 of the total grant, including funds for management and administration, while distributing approximately $287,000 among 18 partner cities. The cities will use the funding to enhance local emergency response strategies. The EMPG requires a dollar-for-dollar match, which OES and the cities will meet through personnel costs and in-kind services.

The grant awards helps fulfill the Countywide Vision by supporting public safety and resiliency across the region.

County awarded $11.3 million grant to replace historic Route 66 bridges

County Public Works is being awarded with an approximately $11.3 million grant from the California Transportation Commission’s Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program to replace nine aging timber bridges along National Trails Highway (Historic Route 66) in the Daggett area.

The $27 million project will preserve the historic character of the 1930s-era bridges while enhancing safety and climate resiliency. The bridges—located at sites such as Signal Ditch, Ant Ditch, and Bloom Ditch—are past their design life and ineligible for federal bridge funds due to their short spans. The remaining approximately $15.7 million in matching funds will be funded with a combination of Measure “I” Major Local Highway Program, formula State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Surface Transportation Program funds from the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.

These infrastructure improvements help safeguard vulnerable roadways and support long-term planning towards achieving the Countywide Vision.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center expands training through federal VA partnership

The Board of Supervisors approved a non-financial agreement between Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to allow ARMC resident physicians to gain clinical experience at VA facilities in Loma Linda.

This partnership ensures that medical residents receive exposure to specialty cases and procedures not widely available at ARMC, further enhancing the hospital’s mission as a teaching institution. The agreement will remain in effect through June 30, 2030.

The county is working to achieve the Countywide Vision by bolstering the region’s healthcare workforce while improving care for veterans and local residents.

Behavioral Health expands student internship program with Grand Canyon University

County Behavioral Health will offer hands-on field experience to Grand Canyon University social work students through a new internship program. The program will provide opportunities for interns to support crisis intervention, case management and behavioral health services across the county.

Interns will gain real-world experience under the supervision of behavioral health professionals, preparing them for careers in behavioral health and enhancing the department’s service capacity.

By creating a pipeline of experienced behavioral health specialists in partnership with educational institutions, the county is working toward achieving the Countywide Vision.

Contract extended for senior and disability information services

The Board of Supervisors approved a $275,000 contract amendment with Inland Southern California 211+ to extend its Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) “No Wrong Door” program through June 2026.

The program offers 24/7 enhanced information and referral services to more than 3,600 older adults and individuals with disabilities annually. With support from state funding, ADRC Community Resource Specialists provide critical linkage to long-term services and support across the county. This program helps ensure equitable access to care and promotes independence for vulnerable residents.

Probation officers to continue serving students at 13 school districts

To support student well-being and deter juvenile delinquency, the Board of Supervisors approved revenue contracts totaling approximately $984,000 with 13 school districts to provide school-based probation officers during the 2025-26 academic year.

A total of approximately 29 probation officers will provide mentoring, intervention, attendance support, and prevention classes. These services are partially funded by the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act, with school districts contributing 25% of the cost.

The program aligns with the county’s Cradle-to-Career goal by fostering educational success through early intervention.

Workforce Development services extended at the Ontario library

The Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding with the city of Ontario to continue providing workforce development services at the Ovitt Family Community Library through end of June 2028 at no cost.

Operated by County Workforce Development, the satellite office has helped thousands of West End residents connect to career coaching, training and job placement opportunities.

This partnership promotes economic mobility and job readiness in alignment with the Countywide Vision.

Board forms three underground utility districts

The Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions to form underground utility districts along Mission Boulevard in the Montclair area, Valley Boulevard in the Bloomington area and Beech Avenue in the Fontana area, which will convert overhead power lines to underground infrastructure.

The $14.6 million project will be fully funded by Southern California Edison through the California Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A Program. The improvements will reduce visual blight, improve pedestrian safety, and ensure long-term infrastructure resilience in their respective areas.

By forming the underground utility districts and strengthening resiliency against wildfires, the county is working towards achieving the Countywide Vision.

Museum receives donation for exhibits and education from Xebec Realty Partners

The San Bernardino County Museum received an approximately $164,000 donation from Xebec Realty Partners to support exhibits, collections care, programming and educational supplies.

The donation was made in lieu of a public art installation under conditions of approval for a development project in Redlands. The funds will enrich cultural offerings for residents and visitors and support the museum’s role as a regional hub for learning and exploration.

Additional County Update News – May 22, 2025