REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE FOLLOWING:
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
BOARD GOVERNMENT COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE FOLLOWING:
BIG BEAR VALLEY RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 29, 2025
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report Supplemental and Personnel Actions
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County Flood Control District, Board Governed County Service Areas, Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
a. Accept the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report Supplemental Attachments A and B (Report).
b. Approve the budget adjustments as listed in the Report and authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post appropriation, revenue, reserves, and use of net position as detailed in the Mid-Year Report List of Adjustments section of the Report, allowing for minor technical changes limited to available budget within the budget unit (Four votes required).
c. Authorize the purchase of previously unbudgeted fixed assets, as detailed under the Fixed Asset Detail Recommended Adjustments section of the Report.
2. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County Flood Control District, Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
a. Approve the 2024-25 budgeted staffing changes as listed in the Budgeted Staffing and Personnel Actions section of the Report.
b. Approve the following classification actions described in the Budgeted Staffing (Attachment B) section of the Report:
i. Add new positions.
ii. Delete positions.
iii. Reclassify positions.
iv. Establish the classifications and salaries for the new classifications.
v. Approve deleted classifications.
vi. Approve indicated Equity Adjustments for existing classifications.
vii. Approve indicated Technical Title Changes for existing classifications.
viii. Approve indicated Bargaining Unit/Group Changes for existing classifications.
ix. Approve indicated Reallocation for existing classifications.
c. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to amend the County Conflict of Interest Code List of Designated Employees to include the new classifications as detailed on Attachment B.
(Presenter: Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Report includes increases to total Sources of $10.9 million, increases to total Requirements of $201.4 million, and a net use of $190.5 million in Contingencies/Reserves.
The $190.5 million in Contingencies/Reserves includes the use of $172.4 million in General Fund Contingencies, $14.4 million in General Fund Reserves, and $3.7 million in Special Revenue reserves.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the preparation and administration of the County budget. Subsequent to the adoption of the County Budget, adjustments are made via recommended adjustments, which are submitted by County Departments and consolidated into a comprehensive report by the County Administrative Office - Finance and Administration (Finance and Administration).
During preparation of the 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report the federal government began to roll out significant policy changes regarding various programs administered by local governments. Due to the uncertainty and evolving nature of those changes, the County chose to temporarily pause several new funding items and further review recommended adjustments that may be impacted by the policy changes. The mid-year report approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on February 25, 2025 (Item No. 47) only reflected adjustments to address previously made obligations, funding that had already been received by the County, mandated personnel actions, and limited high-priority uses of Discretionary General Funding for existing projects and public safety priorities. This reflected the Board’s measured approach to considering the approval of ongoing obligations during times of fiscal uncertainty.
After careful consideration, Finance and Administration now presents a supplemental mid-year budget report reflecting one-time and ongoing programs and initiatives that advance the County Vision. This item recommends budget adjustments totaling a $10.9 million increase to total Sources, an increase to total Requirements of $201.4 million, and a net use of $190.5 million in Contingencies/Reserves. This includes the addition of 268 positions, deletion of 120 vacant positions and the reclassification of 100 positions.
The following section itemizes the recommended new uses of Discretionary General Funding that are previously expressed County priorities of the Board, existing policies, or prudent investments to improve service or amenities in the county:
County Priorities
• Department of Public Works Infrastructure Reserve ($15.0 million one-time): Establish a $20.0 million reserve for Public Works Infrastructure projects, which will allow the County to identify and fund priority public works initiatives throughout the year. This includes the use of $15.0 million in General Fund Contingencies and $5.0 million to be transferred from the existing Road Improvements Reserve.
• Foster Youth Campus Reserve ($18.0 million one-time): Funding had been previously set aside by the Board to help construct a family and foster youth temporary housing campus, which would provide temporary housing for foster youth who have aged out of the system. This allocation will bring the total amount of seed funding set aside by the County to $28.0 million. It is the County’s intent in the future to seek funding from the State or Federal resources if available.
• Human Capital Management System Reserve ($5.0 million one-time): This additional $5.0 million allocation to the reserve will be used towards replacing the County’s existing Employee Management and Compensation System (EMACS) with a new Human Capital Management System.
• Business Process Improvement Reserve ($5.0 million one-time): Establish a $5.0 million reserve in which funding will be utilized to research and explore potential business process improvements, with the goal of generating ongoing savings to the County.
• Community Services Upgrades Reserve ($35.0 million one-time): This additional $35.0 million allocation will be used for future large-scale, revenue-generating Regional Parks Investments.
• Supporting Vulnerable Populations Reserve ($10.0 million one-time): This additional $10.0 million allocation will enhance the County’s ability to support the County’s various initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness, including efforts to partner with cities and builders to increase the bed capacity needed to move County residents from the streets toward eventual permanent housing solutions.
• Funding Set-Aside for Financial Security ($7,073,880 one-time): This funding will be necessary to maintain the General-Purpose Reserve ($5,659,104) and the Mandatory Contingencies ($1,414,776), as designated by County Policy. It is recommended that these amounts be set aside for future use as authorized by County Policy.
• Building Acquisitions Reserve ($25.0 million one-time): This additional $25.0 million allocation will be set aside for future building acquisitions.
• District Attorney High Desert Office Project ($10.0 million one-time): This $10.0 million allocation would provide the District Attorney with future funding to update its High Desert office space portfolio to accommodate workspace needs as the department expands.
• Land Use Services General Plan/Development Code Amendments Reserve ($5.0 million one-time): This additional $5.0 million allocation to the reserve will be set aside for future specific plan and development plan amendments for Land Use Services.
• Archives Digitization of Records ($3.0 million one-time): This $3.0 million allocation will fund Assessor activities associated with the preserving and digitization of critical County records held in the Assessor’s Archives.
• Board Discretionary Funding ($12.5 million one-time): This $12.5 million allocation would provide each Board office an additional $2.5 million in Board Discretionary Funding.
• Fire Station Replacement Contribution ($5.0 million one-time): This additional $5.0 million allocation to the reserve for future projects.
• Summer Youth Employment Program Reserve ($410,579 one-time): This funding is recommended to establish a summer internship program for County departments.
Additional Recommended Departmental Allocations of Discretionary General Funding
The following allocations of Discretionary General Funding are requested for various departmental needs that are considered urgent and cannot wait until the 2026 Recommended Budget cycle.
• Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector is requesting $270,000 in ongoing Discretionary General Funding for three new positions, which will support the Property Tax and Tax Collector divisions, meeting increased workload needs.
• Child Support Services is requesting $146,091 one-time Discretionary General Funding to reimburse expenses incurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic Response.
• Community Development and Housing is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $250,000 of one-time funding for the All Star Lodge project, providing interim to permanent housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
o $500,000 one-time funding for the administrative costs necessary to implement housing development programs, including the County Housing Development Grant and the Housing and Homeless Incentive Program.
• County Administrative Office is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $685,000 one-time funding to roll over unspent Opportunity Funds to continue to pursue innovation in technology and business practices.
o $3,682,500 one-time for the Office of Emergency Services Warehouse lease shifting from Finance and Administration - American Rescue Plan Act.
o $187,834 ongoing funding for an additional Administrative Analyst III to support the executive team.
o $3,000,000 one-time funding to support the Inland Empire Community Foundation Grant initiative.
• County Administrative Office - Automated Systems Development is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $1,923,411 one-time use of the Human Capital Management System Replacement Reserve to support the initial stages of the replacement of the County’s existing Employee Management and Compensation System (EMACS) to a new Human Capital Management System.
o $370,000 one-time use of the New Property Tax System reserve for costs associated with professional contract services as well as subscription expenses for the project.
• County Counsel is requesting $1,063,489 one-time use of Discretionary General Funding for a Capital Improvement Project to reconfigure existing workstations, construct new offices, and make required modifications to the electrical and HVAC system at the County Government Center’s 3rd and 4th floors.
• County Museum is requesting $90,000 ongoing use of Discretionary General Funding to acquire full time security services at the Redlands Museum location.
• County Trial Courts is requesting $210,000 one-time use of the AB 177/199 Criminal Fees Backfill Reserve for Maintenance of Effort expenditures.
• Human Resources is requesting the following:
o $103,207 ongoing Discretionary General Funding for one new position to support various Human Resources functions, including labor relations.
o $160,000 ongoing use of the Human Capital Management System reserve to support ongoing system workload requirements.
• Human Services Administrative Claim is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $1,675,306 ongoing funding required match to add 72 new positions to comply with and meet the growing case management functions and needs of children and families in the County.
o $1,801,704 one-time funding for the Children Family Services Highland Campus originally approved by the Board on July 9, 2024 (Item No. 43).
o $45,215 ongoing funding to support the Performance, Education, and Resources Center with necessary administrative staff to improve operations.
• Land Use Services is requesting $2,000,000 one-time use of the Land Use Services General Plan/Development Code Amendments reserve to support long-range planning workload.
• Office of Emergency Services is requesting $821,276 one-time use of Discretionary General Funding for critical operational needs to ensure readiness for future emergency response.
• Project and Facilities Management is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $294,000 one-time funding for 24/7 security guard services for the department’s temporary leased facility in San Bernardino.
o $150,000 one-time funding for a digitization project associated with County documents held by the department.
• Public Health is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $355,766 one-time funding to support start-up costs for providing animal care field services for certain County unincorporated areas that were previously serviced by contracts.
o $100,000 ongoing funding for the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Community Cat program.
o $50,000 ongoing funding for the Foster Pet program to support the state’s policy goal that no adoptable or treatable dog or cat be euthanized.
o $12,000 one-time use of the Asset Replacement Reserve for Devore Animal Shelter maintenance equipment.
o $191,647 ongoing funding for position reclassifications supporting the Animal Care unit.
• Public Works is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $500,000 one-time funding for the Surveyor Digitization project.
o $300,000 one-time funding for the Surveyor Records Backlog project.
• Registrar of Voters is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $1,188,157 ongoing funding for nine new positions to support the department in its performance of a variety of mandated elections services.
o $362,065 ongoing funding for two positions and administrative costs to support the establishment of the Campaign Accountability Commission.
• Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator is requesting the following uses of Discretionary General Funding:
o $423,270 ongoing and $54,000 one-time to add one Lieutenant position to support the Inland Empire Safety and Tribal Regional Analysis Center.
o $421,551 one-time use of the Body Camera Implementation Reserve for the continued deployment of body cameras.
o $78,806 ongoing funding for salaries and benefits cost increases associated with equity adjustments of various Deputy Public Administrator job classifications.
o $168,906 ongoing funding for salaries and benefits cost increases associated with the reclassification and equity adjustments of Sheriff’s Training Specialists and Supervisors.
o $600,000 one-time funding for a multifaceted recruitment campaign focused on increasing and maximizing recruitment efforts.
o $300,000 one-time use of the Asset Replacement Reserve to replace a Mobile Field Kitchen/Food Truck.
o $2,600,000 one-time use of the Asset Replacement Reserve to replace outdated radios.
o $284,975 ongoing funding for electronic Statement of Personal History software to process in-depth pre-employment background investigations.
o $181,238 ongoing funding for Countywide Security Services to maintain service levels.
o $229,328 one-time use of the West Valley Detention Center Americans with Disabilities Act Improvements Reserve for installation of a medication packager at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center pharmacy.
o $582,417 one-time use of roll over unspent net county cost for Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) growth revenue accrued in fiscal year 2023-24.
Other Adjustments funded with departmental revenue
Outside of the use of Discretionary General Funding, several factors contribute to the need for departments to request budget adjustments throughout the fiscal year. As an administrative arm of the State, the County is frequently required to make programmatic adjustments in order to maintain compliance with applicable federal and state law. Furthermore, the County receives notification throughout the year of additional funds made available from grants for a variety of County projects and programs. Finally, unforeseen costs sometimes arise that require immediate attention that cannot wait for the budget cycle.
Details regarding adjustments funded with departmental revenue are discussed within the Report.
Summary of Staffing Adjustments
The Report also includes a net increase of 148 positions. Staffing changes are summarized in the table below.
|
|
Budgeted Staffing |
|
Adopted Budget Staffing as of 6/30/2024 |
27,311 |
|
New General Fund Funded Positions |
17 |
|
New Department Funded Positions |
251 |
|
Deleted Vacant Positions |
(120) |
|
Total Mid-Year Recommended Adjustments |
148 |
|
|
|
|
Modified Budgeted Staffing as of 04/29/2025 |
27,459 |
Changes to budgeted staffing are detailed by department in the Position Actions Report of 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report Supplemental Attachment B.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
Personnel changes in this Report have been reviewed by Human Resources (Gina King, Assistant Director of Human Resources, 387-5571) on April 18, 2025. This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 14, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Mima Ugbo, Chief Deputy Controller, 382-3195) on April 18, 2025; Finance (Abigail Grant, Administrative Analyst, 387-4603) on April 18, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on April 18, 2025.