REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 20, 2026
FROM
JESSE ARMENDAREZ, Second District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Contract with the City of Fontana, to contribute funding from the 2026-27 Second District’s Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budget, to assist with costs related to the Fontana Downtown Economic Incentive Program in the City of Fontana, in the amount of $500,000, for the period of October 20, 2026 through October 19, 2027.
2. Approve an allocation of $100,000 from the 2026-27 Second District’s Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budget to the San Bernardino County Human Resources Department, to fund paid work experience through the San Bernardino County SPARK Youth Employment Program for interns from the Second District.
3. Approve Contract with the Southern California Community Safety Foundation, to contribute funding from the 2026-27 Second District’s Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budget towards the community safety program - Firearm Safety Training 2026-2027, in the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000, for the period of October 20, 2026 through October 19, 2027.
(Presenter: Jesse Armendarez, Second District Supervisor, 387-4833)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). On September 21, 2021 (Item No. 18), November 16, 2021 (Item No. 33), February 6, 2024 (Item No. 61), June 11, 2024 (Item No. 110), April 29, 2025 (Item No. 86), and June 10, 2025 (Item No. 136), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an allocation of $4 million, $7 million, $6 million, $3 million, $2.5 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, to the Board Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program (Priorities Program), for each of the five supervisorial districts for projects that meet a public purpose, and provide services to citizens that promote health, safety, economic well-being, and other public services that enhance quality of life and meet the needs of County residents. On an annual basis, unspent appropriations for discretionary funding will be carried over into the subsequent year’s budget.
The recommended projects will be funded by the Second District’s Priorities Program budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Priorities Program projects help promote the vision of a complete County by recognizing the unique traits of each Supervisorial District and, thereby, allow individual Board Districts to work with community partners through County services and contractual agreements to identify programs, projects, and initiatives that support the vision, meet a public purpose and provide services to residents that promote health, safety, economic well-being, education, recreation, and other public services that enhance quality of life and meet the needs of the County’s residents. Projects under the Priorities Program are based on District Supervisor discretion and are presented by each District Supervisor for Board approval.
Recommendation No. 1 will assist the City of Fontana (Fontana) by providing funding to assist with costs related to the Fontana Downtown Economic Incentive Program. This contract will serve the public purpose of creating, maintaining, and growing jobs and economic value in the county by supporting early business commitments to Fontana’s downtown revitalization plan. Funding will be used by Fontana to help new businesses fund items such as the purchase of fixtures, furniture, equipment, and appliances. Fontana acknowledges and agrees that it will make a matching contribution of at least 25% of the total cost of the project per County Policy 05-10.
Recommendation No. 2 will provide funding to the San Bernardino County Human Resources Department to fund paid work experience through the San Bernardino County SPARK Youth Employment Program (SPARK Program) for interns from the Second District. This allocation will help more youth, particularly those who are underserved or at risk, in the Second District to participate in the SPARK Program. The additional participation in the SPARK Program serves the public purpose by providing for the education and social needs of youth and allowing the youth to explore career interests and pathways, develop workplace skills, and engage in learning experiences that will help in developing their social, civic, and leadership abilities. The minimum 25% matching contribution is not applicable because the funding is being allocated to another County department.
Recommendation No. 3 will assist the Southern California Community Safety Foundation (SCCSF) by providing funding from the Second District towards the community safety program - Firearm Safety Training 2026-2027 to help increase residents’ safety and situational awareness when around firearms. This contract will serve the public purpose of promoting the safety and educational needs of residents. The SCCSF is a non-profit organization. Per County Policy 05-10, non-profit organizations are not required to provide a minimum 25% matching contribution to the projects.
Under the Board Discretionary Fund Priorities Program contract terms, the Chief Executive Officer, at the direction of the Second District Supervisor, may extend the terms of the contracts, in writing, under the following conditions:
a. In aggregate, all extensions do not exceed 12 calendar months;
b. Is specifically requested by the contractor;
c. Will not change the project goals or scope of services;
d. Is in the best interest of the County and contractor in performing the scope of services under the contract; and
e. Does not alter the amount of compensation under the contract.
Board discretionary funding allocations under the Priorities Program with community partners must be for projects or services of $10,000 or more as described in County Policy 05-10. Additionally, contracts that include non-profit organizations, government entities, or educational institutions are non-competitive. Contracts with community partners that include for-profit organizations are to be processed according to existing County procurement policies. Contracts with other government agencies or for-profit organizations require a matching contribution of at least 25% of the proposed projects. All contracts shall be paid on a lump-sum basis or under other terms as approved by the Board.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 1, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886, and Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-4202) on October 1, 2026.