Board actions, Aug. 5 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

*A roundup of key actions taken by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.*

The Board of Supervisors approved more than $450,000 in funding for community-serving projects through the District Specific Priorities Program.

Funding allocations include:

$250,000 from First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook’s (Ret.) District Specific Priorities Program to St. Mary Medical Center to support the establishment and operations of a dedicated Sexual Assault Response Facility, its ongoing operations and training and education for the caregivers.
Approximately $67,000 from Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s District Specific Priorities Program and an additional $200,000 from the Bloomington Recreation and Park District’s Bloomington Community Benefit/Improvement Reserve for the Ayala Park Two Swing Set Project, supporting the demolition of existing landscape and irrigation together and the installation of a two-swing set with hardscape and playground rubber surface.
$45,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the City of Fontana for the Housing & Recovery Initiatives at the Dorsey Property, supporting residents in recovery from substance use disorder with new furniture, fencing and landscaping.
Approximately $42,000 from Supervisor Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to the nonprofit First Assembly of God of Victorville for a backpack drive for children in need and a new scoreboard for Victor Valley Christian School’s gym.
$20,000 from Supervisor Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to the American Legion Leo Collins Post 229 to support veterans and their families through ongoing operations and services and potential facility upgrades, including the replacement of a walk-in freezer and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements.
$16,500 from Supervisor Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to Victorville American Little League 2-0 for the purchase of practice equipment, general operation and league activities.
$13,500 from Supervisor Cook’s District Specific Priorities Program to the nonprofit Desert Communities Soccer Club for the purchase of practice equipment, general club operations and ongoing club activities.

These targeted investments reflect the board’s ongoing commitment to public health, youth development, safe recreation spaces, and supportive community programs across San Bernardino County in alignment with the Countywide Vision.

Sheriff’s Department secures Urban Areas Security Initiative grant funds

The Sheriff’s Department secured an approximately $375,000 grant from the 2024 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Program, which is administered by the city of Riverside’s Office of Emergency Management for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Urban Area. The funding will support the purchase of cadaver lift tables, cadaver storage trays, Cybersecurity Operations Center video displays, wheelchair ramp kits, and the lease of automated license plate recognition systems. These resources will bolster the region’s capacity to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. No county matching funds are required.

The grant award helps to achieve the Countywide Vision by supporting positive relationships between public safety agencies and the community.

Sheriff’s Benefit Rodeo 2025 set for September

The 2025 Sheriff’s Benefit Rodeo will be hosted in partnership with nonprofit Seven Point, Inc. at Glen Helen Regional Park from Sept. 26–28. Proceeds from this popular event benefit a number of civic and youth groups including, but not limited to, Children’s Fund, California 4-H Youth Development Program, Boy Scouts of America – Inland Empire Council, Girl Scouts, and Challenged Children’s Rodeo. The rodeo also provides unique opportunities to showcase positive relationships between local law enforcement, emergency responders and the community, while providing economic benefit to participating businesses and organizations. While support will be provided by volunteers and donations will be solicited, use of county resources will be necessary to ensure the rodeo’s success, including an estimated $90,000 from the Sheriff’s Department’s 2025-2026 budget allocation and $24,000 to support ambulance services from County Fire’s 2025-2026 budget allocation.

$10 million in additional workforce funding to support county youth

Workforce Development is increasing seven existing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-funded youth provider contracts, raising the total contract value to approximately $25 million. These amendments will allow continued delivery of academic, employment and training services to more than 1,500 youth annually through June 30, 2027. The extension will help connect participants to paid work experiences, mentoring, education and career development across San Bernardino County. The providers include:

Education Linked Professions
El Proyecto del Barrio, Inc.
Arbor E&T dba Equus Workforce Solutions
First Institute Training and Management, Inc.
Hawkeye Properties and Workforce Innovation, Inc.
Operation New Hope
Youth Action Project, Inc.

By equipping participants with support services for employment and self-sufficiency, the county is working to achieve the Countywide Vision.

Career services for residents with disabilities

The Board of Supervisors approved an approximately $1.4 million revenue contract with the California Department of Rehabilitation to provide career services for individuals with disabilities through the San Bernardino County Works program. The initiative will offer job readiness training, paid work experience, career coaching and support services to at least 100 participants across high-demand sectors, including government, logistics and hospitality through the county’s America’s Job Center of California locations. Funded by the state and managed by the Workforce Development, this no-match contract enhances system capacity and promotes long-term employment pathways.

By improving access to economic opportunities for residents with disabilities, the county is working to achieve the Countywide Vision.

County internship partnerships expand

The board approved a series of non-financial agreements to expand hands-on training opportunities for students in healthcare, early childhood development and nutrition fields.

Through agreements with Barstow Community College and the University of California, Riverside Extension, the Preschool Services Department (PSD) will provide students with field experience across its Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs through July 31, 2030. Student interns will assist in providing hearing, vision and hemoglobin screenings to PSD-enrolled children and parent education classes in areas such as managing chronic health conditions and reducing the spread of communicable diseases.

ARMC has approved new affiliation agreements with the Rancho Santiago Community College District—on behalf of Santa Ana College—and the California Department of State Hospitals – Patton, effective through July 31, 2030. These partnerships will enable students in Santa Ana College’s occupational therapy assistant program and Patton’s dietetic internship program to complete supervised clinical rotations in ARMC’s high-volume acute care environment. Interns will gain hands-on experience with a diverse patient population while developing the competencies required for licensure—strengthening the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals serving the Inland Empire.

Each agreement advances the county’s efforts to provide safe, high-quality services while fostering the next generation of public sector professionals. By creating structured internship opportunities in critical sectors, San Bernardino County is investing in both individual career growth and long-term community well-being.

Through these partnerships, the county is working toward achieving the Countywide Vision by offering future educators and healthcare workers vital real-world experience while optimizing county resources to meet the needs of young children and families.

Senior services continue to support independent living

The county’s Aging and Adult Services is partnering with the California Department of Aging on an approximately $1.8 million contract to continue delivering multipurpose senior services program (MSSP) services through June 2026. The program provides case management and a wide range of support services—including home repairs, transportation, personal care, respite care and meal services—to an estimated 345 low-income older adults per month who are at risk of institutionalization.

Fully funded by federal and state dollars, MSSP helps older adults live independently, safely and with dignity in their own homes. County Aging and Adult Services has administered the MSSP since 1985.

By providing continued outreach and support services to seniors to promote independent living, the county is helping to fulfill the Countywide Vision.

Board advances Glen Helen Specific Plan Amendments, defers Devore sub-area for further study

The board approved amendments to the Glen Helen Specific Plan that rezones 141.5 acres across the North Glen Helen and Sycamore Flats planning sub-areas to support long-term land use stability and economic development. The action rezones 81.5 acres in North Glen Helen from destination recreation to corridor industrial and 60 acres in Sycamore Flats to allow the option of developing the site as single-family residential or industrial uses, while removing a previously established high density residential overlay. The amendments also include text changes allowing broader flexibility in permitted uses and accessory container storage in Corridor Industrial zones. An addendum to the original environmental impact report was adopted, and a memorandum of understanding was approved with Pharris Sycamore Flats, LLC, TDC Glen Helen Owner, LLC, and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., to fund a focused traffic study for the Devore Heights community. In addition, the board voted to defer the consideration of proposed rezoning in the Devore sub-area to allow time for additional community engagement and analysis. The 19.2-acre site, previously proposed for rezoning from commercial/traveler services to corridor industrial, will return to the board for a vote at a later date.

Senate Bill 1 road maintenance projects update

The board adopted the updated road maintenance project lists under CA Senate Bill (SB) 1’s Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account for fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26. The revised 2024-25 list adds six projects totaling approximately $7.4 million, while the new 2025-26 list includes 15 projects with an estimated value of approximately $45.3 million. The planned improvements include chip sealing, fog sealing, overlays, ADA ramp updates, and traffic signal installations across communities such as Chino, Devore, Helendale, Lytle Creek and Hinkley.

Funded by SB 1 revenue and supported by other matching funds from the Measure I and American Rescue Plan Act, these proactive investments maintain road quality and avoid costly reconstruction. County Public Works utilizes pavement management software and local input to prioritize high-volume roads and safety-related needs, ensuring the region’s infrastructure is maintained in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner.

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

Rock Springs Road Bridge Project update

To support planned lighting improvements for the Rock Springs Road Bridge replacement project in Apple Valley, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Southern California Edison for an electric distribution line extension. The agreement, which may not exceed approximately $1,400, grants the rights-of-way needed to energize streetlights on the new bridge. The project, a joint effort among the county, Caltrans and the Town of Apple Valley, is funded through Federal Highway Bridge Program and Measure I funds.

Investing in critical infrastructure projects that enhance connectivity and support growing communities reflects the county’s commitment to achieving the Countywide Vision.

Big Bear tennis court rehabilitation project update

County Public Works is contracting with KNC Construction, Inc. for approximately $629,000 for the rehabilitation of two tennis courts at Big Bear Sports Ranch. The project will replace the aging asphalt with a sustainable concrete surface to meet the community’s need for tennis and multi-purpose courts. Once complete, the park will feature 12 fully functional courts, supporting increased recreation access for residents and visitors alike.

The Big Bear Multi-Purpose Court Project will be merged with the existing tennis court rehabilitation project, raising the total project budget to approximately $785,000. The investment will be fully funded by the district using available reserves and includes a contingency fund and budget increase of $175,000 to account for rising construction costs. The project is expected to begin this month and conclude by October 2025.

The project aligns with the Countywide Vision by investing in recreation assets and fostering community connections through shared open spaces.

Additional County Update News – August 7, 2025