Board actions, Sept. 1 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

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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 Sept. 1.*

District Specific Priorities Program supports recreation, behavioral health and community services

The board approved $475,000 in District Specific Priorities Program funding to support recreation, youth development, behavioral health workforce development, senior nutrition and services for residents with disabilities.

Approved allocations include:

$300,000 from Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s District Specific Priorities Program to the San Bernardino Community College District to support turf replacement as part of an approximately $6 million field improvement project at San Bernardino Valley College.
$100,000 from First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.)’s District Specific Priorities Program to Rock’n Our Disabilities Foundation to support educational programs, adaptive recreation, food assistance, life-skills training and community events serving individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.
$35,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Wellness Ranch Equine Assisted Therapy to support a Behavioral Health Workforce Pipeline Program that helps graduate-level mental health professionals transition from supervised internships into paid associate positions while working toward independent licensure.
$20,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Skyhawk Baseball Boosters, Inc. for field maintenance and improvements, coaching stipends, equipment and supplies for the Summit Baseball Program.
$10,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Elks Lodge Little League for equipment and facility needs and scholarships to help families offset youth sports registration costs.
$10,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Connect Senior Services, Inc. to support meal preparation, packaging and delivery through the Meals on Wheels Connect Program for seniors experiencing food insecurity, limited mobility or difficulty preparing meals independently.

Preschool Services expands access to dental care

San Bernardino County Preschool Services received approval for agreements with GeriSmiles Mobile Dental Hygiene Practice, Inc. and Yanira Casasola, RDHAP, to provide dental services at designated county preschool sites through August 2031.

Services will include dental risk assessments, fluoride varnish, cleanings, periodontal care, preventive health education and periodic dental examinations. Preschool Services serves more than 2,000 children through Early Head Start, Head Start and State Preschool programs, and the additional providers will expand the availability and geographic reach of dental services. The agreements are non-financial, with providers billing Denti-Cal and other eligible third-party or public programs.

By increasing access to preventive dental care for young children, the county is advancing the health and Cradle-to-Career goals of the Countywide Vision.

Youth mentorship program expands capacity

The board approved a $360,000 contract with IAMGIFTED Foundation Inc. to continue and expand the Youth Empowerment Saturdays Program for eligible youth through July 2027.

The program provides mentorship, social and emotional learning, physical fitness, art workshops, health and nutrition education, life-skills development and family engagement for youth ages 7 to 18 in designated San Bernardino-area ZIP codes. Two five-week cohorts will have capacity to serve up to 240 youth, expanding access after interest in the previous program exceeded available space.

County preserves supportive housing for veterans in Apple Valley

San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing received approval for a $755,000 loan to Family Assistance Program and Orenda Veterans Project, Inc. to preserve the six-bed Orenda House in Apple Valley as affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, with a focus on veterans for the next 15 years.

The funding will pay off the property’s existing mortgage, address accessibility improvements and provide prepaid rent to support continued operations. Orenda House also provides healthcare coordination, nutrition assistance and life-skills development. The six beds will remain restricted to eligible individuals experiencing homelessness with referrals coordinated through the county’s Coordinated Entry System.

By preserving affordable housing and supportive services for residents experiencing homelessness, the county is working to achieve the Countywide Vision.

Partnership expands student access to nutrition assistance

The board approved an information-sharing agreement with Colton Joint Unified School District to help identify students and families eligible for CalFresh and free or reduced-price school meals through August 2029.

Under the agreement, student information will be securely matched with CalWORKs and CalFresh eligibility records, allowing eligible children to be directly certified for school meal benefits. The process eliminates the need for a parent or guardian to complete a separate CalFresh application for direct certification, reducing barriers and helping more eligible students access nutritious food.

Child abuse prevention and treatment services continue countywide

San Bernardino County Children and Family Services received approval for approximately $10.3 million in contracts with 26 providers to continue child abuse prevention and treatment services through June 30, 2029. The program is expected to serve approximately 1,300 children annually.

Services help biological and adoptive families remain together when it can be done safely and include individual and family therapy, psychological evaluations, parent education, domestic violence and anger management services, life-skills classes and support groups. The services are designed to strengthen families, improve the well-being of children and caregivers, and prevent future abuse or family crises.

By strengthening families and providing services that help protect children from abuse and neglect, the county is helping promote the safety, health and well-being of children and families in alignment with the Countywide Vision.

Board sets countywide property tax rate for 2026-27

The board adopted a resolution setting the countywide annual property tax rate at 1 percent of assessed value for fiscal year 2026-27, as required by state law.

State law requires the board to establish the annual secured property tax rate by Oct. 3 each year at no more than $1 per $100 of assessed value. Property tax levies provide funding for local government operations and voter-approved debt obligations.

Federal grant supports regional public safety programs

San Bernardino County Law and Justice Group received approval to accept approximately $823,000 through the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to support crime prevention and criminal justice programs through September 2028.

Approximately $649,000 will be distributed among 17 participating cities and the Town of Apple Valley, while approximately $133,000 will support county law and justice projects and approximately $41,000 will support grant administration. The federal program provides resources for activities intended to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system.

By strengthening regional partnerships and supporting programs that prevent and address crime, the county is advancing public safety in pursuit of the Countywide Vision.

Museum accepts Joshua Tree-inspired art collection

The board authorized the San Bernardino County Museum to accept 149 works of art valued by the donor at approximately $271,000 from the Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency for future exhibits and interpretive programming.

The collection features works created by artists from around the world who participated in the Joshua Tree-based residency and drew inspiration from the county’s desert landscape. The donation will allow the Museum to preserve the collection and expand opportunities to share the region’s cultural and natural heritage with the public.

Sheriff receives funding to combat drug trafficking

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received approval to accept approximately $1.1 million in federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program funding to support regional narcotics enforcement through December 2027.

The funding includes approximately $623,000 for the Inland Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team, $385,000 for the Regional Methamphetamine Task Force and $100,000 for the Vehicle Interdiction Pipeline Enforcement Resource Task Force. The multi-agency initiatives target major drug trafficking organizations, methamphetamine production and distribution and drug trafficking along regional highways.

Through coordinated initiatives to disrupt drug trafficking, the Sheriff’s Department is advancing the public safety goals of the Countywide Vision.

Traffic safety grant supports enforcement and education

The board approved a $935,000 agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety to support the Sheriff’s Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program through September 2027.

The program includes 110 saturation patrols and additional enforcement targeting impaired and distracted driving, motorcycle safety, street racing and sideshows, and areas with high numbers of bicycle and pedestrian collisions. Funding will also support DUI checkpoints and traffic safety education in 11 cities and towns served by the Sheriff’s Department.

Airport infrastructure projects receive county funding

The board approved a $250,000 funding agreement with the San Bernardino International Airport Authority for improvements to the airport’s monument entry and supply chain safety corridor.

The projects are intended to improve safety, accessibility and the appearance of the airport while supporting the movement of freight, commercial traffic and airport operations. The improvements will also support regional transportation connectivity and the airport’s continued economic development.

By improving airport infrastructure that supports safe transportation, regional connectivity and the movement of goods, the county is furthering the economic vitality goals of the Countywide Vision.

Habitat restoration moves forward along Santa Ana River Trail

San Bernardino County Public Works and Regional Parks received approval for an approximately $275,000 agreement with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District to restore habitat affected by construction of the Santa Ana River Trail Phase III project between San Bernardino and Redlands. The work is fully funded through a Transportation Development Act Article 3 grant award from the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.

The restoration plan covers approximately 1.36 acres along the Santa Ana River and will support native plants and wildlife, improve habitat for special-status species and reduce invasive plant populations. Initial restoration work is expected to begin in fall 2026 and be completed in spring 2027, followed by several years of monitoring and regulatory review.

Additional County Update News – September 3, 2026