REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 24, 2026
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Declaration of Intent to Grant a Revenue Franchise to San Gabriel Valley Water Company
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution declaring the intent of the Board of Supervisors to grant a revenue franchise to San Gabriel Valley Water Company to operate a water utility within County public roads and rights-of-way, for the period commencing on the effective date of the ordinance granting the franchise and terminating 25 years thereafter.
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to schedule a public hearing on March 24, 2026, to introduce an ordinance to grant a water franchise to San Gabriel Valley Water Company.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). This item will allow the County to proceed with the application process to grant a franchise to San Gabriel Valley Water Company (SGVWC), under the calculation formula provided for in Public Utilities Code section 6231. This action will not impact ratepayers in the County unincorporated area. Revenue to the General Fund is expected to be approximately $245,000 annually.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 13, 2001 (Item No. 66), the Board of Supervisors (Board) granted a 25-year franchise agreement renewal to SGVWC, that will expire on April 13, 2026.
In general, a franchise is an agreement between the County and a utility to use the County’s public roads and rights-of-way. Approval of this item will adopt a resolution declaring the Board’s intent for the County to grant a water franchise to SGVWC for operating within the County’s public roads and rights-of-way for a period of 25 years.
In compliance with Section 6232 of the Public Utilities Code, the Board must first declare its intent and schedule a public hearing, not less than 20 nor more than 60 days after the date of the passage of the resolution, to gather community input and provide the opportunity for any person that may have an objection to the franchise to appear before the Board and be heard. This resolution will set the date of the hearing to be March 24, 2026, ensuring an opportunity for public discussion before adopting an ordinance to grant a water franchise and finalize a franchise agreement. The resolution also directs the Clerk of the Board to publish a notice of the hearing once in a newspaper of general circulation within 15 days of the passage of this resolution.
Under County Code section 14.0701 et seq., the County is authorized to grant franchises along and over public roads and rights-of-way within the unincorporated areas of the County for all lawful purposes, upon such terms, conditions and restrictions as deemed necessary and proper.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and Agnes Cheng, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 26, 2026; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 387-2070) on January 7, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, 387-4919, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on February 6, 2026.
(KD: 655-0430)