Board actions, Sept. 22 – 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. 22.*

District Specific Priorities Program supports public safety, education and community programs

The board approved $2.2 million in District Specific Priorities Program funding from the Second, Fourth and Fifth districts to support library construction, public safety, youth and older adult services and music education.

$2 million from Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program to the city of Chino toward construction of the new Chino Preserve Library, a planned facility of approximately 9,370 square feet within the Chino Preserve Community Center. The funding will be combined with an additional $2 million from San Bernardino County Library, for a total county contribution of $4 million.
$75,000 from Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s District Specific Priorities Program to the city of San Bernardino to purchase and install wireless surveillance cameras that will expand the city’s public safety camera system.
$50,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Northtown Housing Development Corporation for older adult activities, after-school activities, youth programming, youth baseball equipment and other community services in Rancho Cucamonga’s Northtown community.
$25,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Stage Red Fontana Youth Music Foundation to support a fundraising gala benefiting youth music education, including instruments, resources and educational opportunities for local students.

County supports preservation of Redlands supportive housing

The San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Department received approval to conditionally commit up to $5 million in Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding to Redlands Housing Corporation to support the potential acquisition and preservation of the Redlands Homekey Facility.

The permanent supportive housing development includes 98 studio apartments for individuals who previously experienced homelessness. Residents have access to case management, behavioral health support, life-skills development and referrals to community resources. The conditional commitment includes $4.3 million for eligible acquisition and preservation costs and $700,000 for an operating reserve to support the property’s long-term financial stability. No county funds will be disbursed until Community Development and Housing completes its due diligence and the board approves the funding and regulatory agreements. If the acquisition does not move forward, the commitment expires Sept. 30, 2027.

By supporting efforts to preserve permanent supportive housing and help residents maintain long-term housing stability, the county is working to achieve the Countywide Vision.

Family Resource Center expands prevention services for children and families

The board approved a $3 million contract with Child Care Resource Center to operate the future Family Resource Center in San Bernardino through June 2028.

Located at 2145 E. Highland Ave., the center will serve as a community hub offering counseling, mentoring, tutoring, parenting education, life-skills workshops, support groups, community events and connections to other resources. The center will support San Bernardino County Children and Family Services’ prevention efforts by providing early, voluntary services designed to help families address challenges before they lead to deeper involvement with the child welfare system.

Health services continue for children in foster care

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department received approval to accept an allocation of up to $6.5 million from the California Department of Health Care Services to coordinate medical, dental, mental health and developmental services for children in foster care during fiscal year 2026-27.

Public Health nurses work with San Bernardino County Children and Family Services social workers to connect enrolled children with appropriate care through case management, clinical consultation and health care referrals. The program supported 5,242 individuals in the past fiscal year.

By coordinating access to comprehensive health care for children in foster care, the county is helping support the health and well-being of children in alignment with the Countywide Vision.

Federal funding supports storm recovery and flood protection

The board approved federal Emergency Watershed Protection funding for San Bernardino County Public Works and the Flood Control District to remove storm debris and install protective measures in communities affected by major storms in 2025.

The funding includes:

Wrightwood and Lytle Creek — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide approximately $2.7 million toward debris removal, along with approximately $272,000 for technical assistance. The work is intended to reduce flood and debris-flow risks to residents, infrastructure and private property.
Oak Glen, Forest Falls and Seven Oaks — Approximately $665,000 in federal funding will support debris removal, hauling, disposal and K-rail installation, with an additional $67,000 available for technical assistance.

CalFresh outreach continues for older adults

The San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian received approval to accept $186,000 from the California Department of Aging to continue CalFresh outreach services for older adults through September 2028.

Aging and Adult Services will coordinate with the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department and community organizations to reach older adults who may be eligible for CalFresh but are not participating. Outreach will include information about program availability, eligibility requirements and the application process to help older adults make informed decisions about applying for nutrition assistance.

By connecting older adults with nutrition resources that support healthy and independent living, the county is making progress toward the wellness and quality-of-life goals of the Countywide Vision.

Measure I plan identifies major transportation projects through 2032

The board adopted the annual Measure I Five-Year Capital Project Needs Analysis identifying major street, highway and bridge projects anticipated to advance between fiscal years 2027-28 and 2031-32. The projects have an estimated combined cost of $64.5 million and are eligible for a combination of Measure I Public Share funding, federal bridge funding, developer contributions and SB 1 revenue.

Projects include:

Widening San Bernardino Avenue in the Fontana area.
A potential grade separation carrying Cherry Avenue over the BNSF railroad line between Merrill and Whittram avenues in the Fontana area.
Roadway, sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements along State Street in Muscoy.
Replacing the Rock Springs Road low-water crossing over the Mojave River with a bridge.
Planning for the widening of Phelan Road.

The list is updated annually based on project need, readiness and available funding and is submitted to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to support allocation of Measure I Public Share funding.

Originally approved by voters in 1989 and extended in 2004, Measure I is the county’s half-cent transportation sales tax. On Nov. 3, voters will decide whether to continue the tax beyond its current 2040 expiration date without increasing the tax rate.

Wild Lights returns to Big Bear Alpine Zoo

The Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District received approval for an agreement with Visit Big Bear to hold the Alpine Zoo Wild Lights event at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo from Nov. 13 through Jan. 3. The after-hours event will feature illuminated animal displays, light tunnels, holiday decorations, seasonal foods and beverages, photo opportunities and educational presentations.

This event aligns with the Countywide Vision by investing in quality-of-life resources and enhancing opportunities for neighborhood and family engagement in shared spaces.

Grant funding supports public safety, public health and literacy programs

The board approved and accepted more than $4.3 million in grant awards and funding increases, including:

District Attorney — approximately $3.3 million from the California Department of Insurance for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Program. The funding supports investigators, prosecutors and other personnel working on workers’ compensation insurance fraud cases, as well as training and public outreach.
Probation Department — $600,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the High-Risk Drunk Driving Supervision Program. The federally funded grant provides partial support for four probation officers who supervise high-risk felony and repeat DUI offenders through 90 days of intensive supervision, random alcohol monitoring and referrals to treatment and counseling. The department anticipates supervising up to 200 participants between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, 2027.
Public Health — approximately $308,000 from the California Department of Public Health to train a future public health laboratory director and public health microbiologist. The funding supports specialized training and certification requirements for laboratory positions that are difficult to recruit and retain.
Public Health — approximately $34,000 in additional federal funding for the Women, Infants and Children program, increasing the three-year grant to approximately $40.1 million. The additional funding will support program modernization, including technology improvements that streamline services and expand virtual service delivery.
Library — approximately $99,000 from the California State Library to continue free adult literacy services at 16 County Library branches, including individualized instruction, one-on-one tutoring and learning materials for adults and older adults working to improve their reading and writing skills.

Additional County Update News – September 24, 2026