San Bernardino County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Joshua Tree recreational trails funding increase
A $707,000 budget increase would push the Joshua Tree Desert View Conservation Area Phase II trails project from $2 million to $2.707 million.
Storm Recovery Fee Waivers
With a Super El Niño forecast for winter 2026, the Flood Control District wants to keep emergency procurement authority to prevent flooding, landslides and debris flows in Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Oak Glen, Forest Falls and Seven Oaks.
Loma Linda University hospital revenue bonds (TEFRA hearing)
The Board holds a public hearing on up to $1.89 billion in revenue bonds to finance or refinance health care facility projects for Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital. It's tax-exempt bonding facilitation, not county general fund money, but residents get a say in the hearing.
San Bernardino HOPE Campus Homelessness Investment
Two big homeless-services items: $2.37 million reallocated for Kaiser transitional rent services through the Office of Homeless Services, and an extension of the CityLink permanent shelter construction deadline with Water of Life Community Church to the end of 2029.
Termination of Supervisors Executive Aide employment
The Board will vote to end the employment contract of Supervisors Executive Aide I Ashley Cordova effective October 30, 2026 — an item requiring four votes.
Behavioral Health Services Act 2026-2029 Integrated Plan
The county is set to accept a $10.47 million federal Mental Health Block Grant from the state for 2026-2028, supporting community mental health services countywide.
ARMC elevator modernization and ED/ICU expansion study
A change order trims $404,714 from the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center elevator project and pushes completion to November 2026, while a new $850,000 Jacobs contract kicks off a feasibility study for expanding the emergency department and ICU.
US 95 / Havasu Lake Road safety improvement
A dedicated southbound left-turn pocket is planned at US 95 and Havasu Lake Road near Needles, mostly paid by an $788,000 federal grant with local reimbursement through SBCTA.
In-Home Supportive Services provider wage increase
A $1.19-per-hour raise for IHSS providers, submitted to the state for approval. It means better pay for the in-home caregivers who help disabled and elderly residents stay out of institutions.
Animal Shelter Operations and Euthanasia Policies
The Board extends its emergency procurement authority to cope with the sudden loss of the Apple Valley Animal Shelter, which the Town canceled effective September 2025. High Desert animal care capacity remains strained.
Foreign direct investment trade mission
A five-person county delegation would travel to Singapore and Bengaluru, India in early 2027 for the SelectUSA Roadshow, at up to $44,535, to attract foreign investment and jobs to the county.
County Executive Performance Evaluations
The Board of Supervisors is conducting scheduled performance reviews for four top county officials, including the Chief Executive Officer and County Counsel. These evaluations help ensure administrative accountability and oversight in county operations.
Barstow-to-Needles OHV corridor funding
$250,000 was moved from an off-road race initiative to Hammerking Productions to plan an off-highway vehicle corridor between Barstow and Needles. Desert residents objected that public money is going to a private for-profit company and that riding corridors threaten the Mojave Trails National Monument.
Proposed Behavioral Health Campus in Victorville
The county can now condemn a permanent access easement from OK Enterprise LLC for the behavioral health treatment campus in Victorville. The county offered $99,000; a supervisor pushed back about devaluing the owner's land and asked staff to study shifting the easement east.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Strike Staffing
Teamsters Local 1932 workers at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center have noticed a strike for October 27. The Board gave the hospital CEO power to spend up to $20 million on temp staffing agencies so patient care continues during the walkout.
Baker Boulevard bridge and regional road projects
Big infrastructure day: the $23.2 million Baker Boulevard bridge replacement over the Mojave River was awarded, plus $1.1 million toward the Highway 95 project in Needles and a grant application for safety work on Arrow Route in Fontana.
LAFCO Barstow reorganization and tax sharing
The Board adopted the property tax revenue resolution for the LAFCO reorganization tied to the Barstow International Gateway rail project — annexations to Barstow, its fire district, and Odessa Water District, with detachments from county fire zones. Barstow officials praised the collaboration.
Legacy Village Housing and Community Development Project
The county conditionally committed $28 million to help build Legacy Village — 180 workforce housing units and 461 student beds — with the San Bernardino Community College District and housing partners Jamboree and The Annex Group.
Surface Mining and Land Reclamation Ordinance Update
The Board adopted the long-disputed update to county mining rules after residents from Wonder Valley, Yucca Valley and Wrightwood said outreach was inadequate and feared the changes could clear the way for the proposed 20,000-acre Music Valley rare earth mine near Joshua Tree. Staff says the update keeps the county as the state's lead mining agency; opponents worry federal-land projects will escape full county review.
Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability
Multiple residents urged the Board to revisit — and cancel or ban — the county's Flock automatic license plate reader cameras, arguing a private company is holding residents' movement data. The topic hasn't been agendized since 2024 and speakers asked for it to come back.
Fuels Reduction Project
County Fire just finished clearing out heavy brush in North San Bernardino to keep your neighborhood safer from wildfires. It's a major preventive step to stop fast-moving flames before they threaten homes.
Election Preview
Get ready for the 2026 local elections! This guide breaks down the major races heating up across San Bernardino County and the High Desert so you know who is running.
County Workforce Vacancies and Recruitment (AB 2561)
Numerous In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) care providers and union members testified during public comment urging the county to approve higher wages and better benefits in upcoming labor negotiations.
Election Questionnaire
Want to know where Ward 2 City Council candidate Christian Shaughnessy stands before you vote? Check out this quick election Q&A to get the scoop on your local ballot choices.
Lake Arrowhead Estates Subdivision Appeal
Residents appealed a 37-lot subdivision approval in Lake Arrowhead, raising concerns about construction traffic on narrow roads and rear yard setbacks. The board upheld the project while requiring provisions for homeowners association road maintenance.
Sports Tourism Development
San Bernardino County is investing in sports tourism by building a new stadium and bringing in a local team to draw in visitors and boost local business. It's a big play to get our region on the map and bring more entertainment options to town.
Public Transit Lawsuit
Montclair is suing the county transportation authority over the A Line extension, which could bring serious delays to your regional commute. This legal battle threatens to stall a major transit project that commuters are heavily relying on.
Bloomington Business Park Specific Plan Approval
Residents, union members, and environmental advocates clashed over a massive 213-acre industrial warehouse project in Bloomington. Critics highlighted severe air pollution and traffic impacts near schools, while supporters pointed to construction jobs and community benefits.
Property Tax Rate Resolution
The Board adopted the annual 1% countywide property tax rate, clarifying that funds support vital local services like schools and public safety rather than solely county government.
Child Welfare and Family Services Oversight Concerns
Several community advocates and parents testified regarding alleged systemic failures, racial disparities, and procedural violations within the Children and Family Services (CFS) department, demanding independent audits and withholding of increased funding.
Mercury Dry Campground Appeal
Neighbors appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a 12-site dry campground in Joshua Tree, expressing worries about rural quiet, property values, wildlife, and lack of on-site supervision. The Board denied the appeal and upheld the project with tightened restrictions on trailers and power generators.
Maverick Gas Station and Convenience Store Appeal
Residents and the appellant raised concerns about traffic safety, truck circulation, environmental review, and rural compatibility for a proposed 24-hour fueling station in Phelan-Pinion Hills. The Board voted to grant the appeal and send the project back to the Planning Commission for further review.
Law Enforcement Investigation
The FBI just raided the homes and offices of several San Bernardino County politicians, totally shaking up local politics. This ongoing investigation is bound to mess with upcoming government decisions and seriously dents public trust.
Federal Investigation
Federal investigators are sniffing around San Bernardino County officials and properties at Ontario International Airport. This unexpected probe could spell major trouble for local leadership and shake up city operations.
CARE Act implementation
San Bernardino County is rolling out the CARE Act to get court-ordered mental health care to people struggling on the streets. It's a major push by local and state leaders to tackle severe untreated mental illness.
Stormwater Mandates
New stormwater regulations are projected to cost San Bernardino County and its cities a staggering $11 billion. This massive price tag could force local leaders to pull funding from other essential community services to pay for the mandate.
Election Contest
San Bernardino County's top tax official, Ensen Mason, is challenging the June 2 election results, potentially shaking up local leadership and county administration. If this legal challenge gains traction, it could lead to delays or shifts in how the county manages its finances and governance.
Regional Renewable Energy Siting and Grid Reliability
Residents and conservation groups appealed the Planning Commission's approval of a massive 525-megawatt solar and battery facility in Lucerne Valley, arguing it violates county renewable energy protection policies, damages scenic vistas along a newly designated state scenic highway, and worsens blowing dust. The Board of Supervisors ultimately denied the appeal due to a lack of legal grounds to overturn the project, despite expressing personal reservations about large-scale desert solar development.
Measure I Transportation Sales Tax Extension
The county is moving forward with placing the Measure I transportation sales tax extension on the November ballot to secure local funding for road repairs, congestion relief, and transit programs.
Downtown Development
San Bernardino is leveraging city-owned properties to kickstart a new downtown business district. This move aims to breathe fresh life into local commerce and spruce up the area.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Recommended County Budget
County financial leaders presented a cautious outlook for the upcoming fiscal year due to slowing property tax growth and potential federal funding risks from HR 1. While the county remains fiscally healthy, officials are planning for slower revenue growth and monitoring labor negotiations.
County Service Area Water and Sanitation Rate Adjustments
Public Works proposed increasing flat service charges for dirt road maintenance across several County Service Area zones to combat severe funding shortfalls that have halted routine grading.
Election Results
Check out the latest 2026 election results for San Bernardino to see who's stepping up to lead and make decisions for your city. Knowing who won helps you keep tabs on the folks steering local policies that affect your day-to-day life.
CSA 70 Zone R-15 Landers Road Maintenance Assessment
Road maintenance funding in Landers has fallen short because the $20 annual parcel fee established in 1984 hasn't changed. The county is proposing to raise the fee to $75 so dirt roads can be graded again.
Auditor-Controller Independent Legal Counsel Request
Multiple public commenters and supervisors raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest involving Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Ensen Mason operating a private financial advisory firm while managing the county's $12 billion investment pool. The board directed the CEO and County Counsel to investigate the allegations and review investment authority delegation options.
Proposed Lone Pine Canyon Quarry Development
Residents from Wrightwood, Phelan, Pinyon Hills, and surrounding mountain communities voiced strong opposition to a proposed open-pit limestone and dolomite quarry in Lone Pine Canyon, citing severe health risks from dust and asbestos, traffic congestion on narrow evacuation routes, and potential seismic impacts on the San Andreas Fault.
Countywide Unmanned Aerial Support Program Expansion
The Board of Supervisors discussed the expansion of drone programs across the Sheriff's Department and County Fire, highlighting how unmanned aerial systems improve first responder safety and emergency response times.