Board Actions, April 7 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

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“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 April 7.*

Board discretionary funding supports community improvements, education and public safety initiatives

The Board of Supervisors approved discretionary funding allocations to support community projects and initiatives through the District Specific Priorities Program.

Approximately $859,000 from Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.’s District Specific Priorities Program to the city of Rialto to support the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project, which will install solar-powered lighting on a 1.5-mile multiuse corridor along Cactus Trail between Rialto Ave. and Baseline Road to enhance visibility, accessibility and public safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
$200,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Ralph Broiles Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6563 to support building renovations, including roof repairs and upgrades to flooring, restrooms, kitchen facilities and electrical and lighting systems, and the installation of air conditioning.
Approximately $38,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Colton Joint Unified School District to support playground surface upgrades at Jurupa Vista Elementary School in Fontana.
$15,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Polaris Education Foundation to support costs for the Youth Arts & Education Initiative.
$10,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Sheriff’s Employee Assistance Team (S.E.A.T.) to support the Kids Zone portion of the annual S.E.A.T. Heat fundraising event, such as the rental of activity equipment, entertainment and supplies and other essential event coordination expenses.

Regional housing trust expands affordable housing opportunities

The board approved a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to establish the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust, a new regional entity designed to coordinate, leverage and deploy funding to support the development and preservation of housing throughout the county.

The trust will serve as a collaborative partnership among the county and participating cities to pool resources, attract funding and implement financing tools that expand housing for extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households. It will also support efforts to address homelessness by facilitating the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and long-term operation of affordable and supportive housing.

Governance will include representation from participating jurisdictions and subject-matter experts, while preserving local land-use authority within each member agency. As a founding member, the county is positioned to pursue future funding opportunities and regional housing strategies. Administrative costs will be shared among participating agencies and supported through existing housing program resources, with no discretionary general funding required.

By strengthening regional collaboration and expanding access to housing resources, the county is making continued progress towards the Countywide Vision housing goal.

Caltrans partnership for homeless outreach services

San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services is entering into a non-financial consent letter with the California Department of Transportation, allowing the department to conduct outreach, engagement and service coordination activities on state-owned property for a one-year term.

The agreement authorizes county outreach teams and service providers to access Caltrans right-of-way areas to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with shelter, housing resources and supportive services, including behavioral health care, medical assistance and public benefits.

Transitional Assistance improves student access to nutritional meals

The board approved a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding between the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department and Victor Valley Christian School through March 31, 2029, to support the exchange of information and increase participation in the CalFresh program.

Through this agreement, the county will work with the school to identify eligible students and families for direct certification into free and reduced-price meal programs by securely matching student data with CalFresh and CalWORKs eligibility records. This process supports compliance with federal and state requirements while improving access to nutrition assistance programs.

By increasing access to healthy food for students and families, the county is supporting food security and the Cradle to Career goal.

Public Health community wellness programming partnership

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health entered into a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) through March 31, 2030, to provide health and wellness programming to community members.

Since 2015, the department has offered health education programming in partnership with IEHP. Health education services will be provided at IEHP Community Wellness Centers in San Bernardino and Victorville, covering topics such as nutrition, physical activity, maternal and senior health, oral health, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and opioid use. The education services are funded through existing state-supported programs, requiring no county discretionary general funding.

Regional Gang Intelligence Team established

The board approved a non-financial Memorandum of Understanding establishing a multi-agency Gang Intelligence Team to investigate, disrupt and dismantle criminal street and prison gangs operating throughout the Inland Empire.

The agreement formalizes a partnership among the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, County Probation Department, San Bernardino Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance intelligence sharing and enforcement strategies. The team will conduct coordinated investigations targeting violent and organized gang activity across the region.

The partnership helps to achieve the Countywide Vision by working collaboratively to ensure that public safety resources are maximized and that the county remains a safe, secure and thriving environment for all residents and businesses.

Boating safety grant for Colorado River patrols

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is receiving approximately $292,000 in grant funding from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways’ Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The funding will support patrol operations along the Colorado River, including enforcement of boating regulations, search and rescue activities, and assistance to boaters in distress. The Sheriff’s Department will coordinate with Arizona’s Mohave County Sheriff’s Department to conduct joint patrols and targeted enforcement efforts addressing boating under the influence.

The grant will help offset a portion of the estimated $1.1 million annual cost for these services, with remaining costs funded through the department’s budget allocation.

Measure I expenditure plan supports long-term transportation improvements

The board adopted a resolution approving the Measure I Expenditure Plan, which outlines the use of revenues from a proposed continuation of the county’s existing one-half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. This measure is expected to be considered by voters on the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election ballot.

If approved by voters, the plan is projected to generate approximately $7.5 billion over its first 30 years to fund a wide array of transportation projects across San Bernardino County. To ensure geographic equity, the plan utilizes a “Return to Source” model, ensuring revenue generated within specific subareas is reinvested into those same communities, including the:

San Bernardino Valley: Direct local benefits will flow to Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, and Yucaipa, along with the Valley’s unincorporated areas.
Mountain and desert communities: Dedicated funding will support Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Hesperia, Needles, Twentynine Palms, Victorville, Yucca Valley, and surrounding rural unincorporated areas.

The plan prioritizes investments in local streets and roads, regional highway and transit improvements and transportation operations, including roadway repair, congestion relief, goods movement, transit services and active transportation infrastructure.

By providing long-term, locally controlled funding that remains within the county, the program supports job creation, economic development and a transportation system that enhances mobility and safety, further advancing the county’s goal of achieving the Countywide Vision.

County fee ordinance update

The board adopted the Annual County Fee Ordinance and Construction Fee Schedules for fiscal years 2026-27 to 2028-29. This action moves the county toward a multi-year fee-setting approach designed to improve long-term financial planning and operational efficiency.

Key details of the approved ordinance include:

Fiscal impact and cost recovery: Total fee revenue is projected at approximately $229 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year. These adjustments ensure the county recovers the actual costs of providing services to the public, businesses and other agencies.
Implementation timeline: The new fees generally become effective on July 1. However, San Bernardino County Regional Parks’ fees are scheduled for earlier implementation on May 15.
Phased adjustments and caps: The fee adjustments reflect a balanced approach between cost recovery and affordability. This includes specific updates for County Public Health’s environmental and animal care services and a structured construction fee schedule for County Land Use Services.

Renewable Energy and Conservation Element and energy policy discussion

The County Administrative Office, Economic Development Department and Land Use Services Department presented an overview of the county’s energy landscape, including the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element, infrastructure considerations, and policy options to support long-term energy reliability and economic growth.

The presentation highlighted rising energy demand driven by electrification, logistics, electric vehicles and emerging technologies and emphasized the need for continued investment and coordination to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth and supports timely service for new development.

During the update on the Renewable Energy and Conservation Element, opportunities were identified to align policies with evolving requirements and priorities. This includes assessing strategies to improve reliability, affordability and local control of energy resources, such as microgrids and agrivoltaics, which co-locates solar with agricultural land.

The board expressed support for proactive solutions to address energy needs while balancing economic development, environmental stewardship and community input, particularly in desert and rural areas. At a later date, recommendations will be brought to the board to form an ad hoc committee to evaluate energy policy options, guide future planning and identify resource needs to support a competitive and sustainable environment for residents and businesses.

Additional County Update News – April 9, 2026