REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE FOLLOWING:
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 19, 2025
FROM
JOANI FINWALL, Registrar of Voters
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Adoption of Ordinances Establishing Employee Poll Worker Program for the County, Board Governed County Service Area 70, and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County, adopt ordinance relating to County employees serving as election workers, which was introduced on August 5, 2025, Item No. 118.
2. Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 70, adopt ordinance relating to employees serving as election workers, which was introduced on August 5, 2025, Item No. 118.
3. Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, adopt ordinance relating to employees serving as election workers, which was introduced on August 5, 2025, Item No. 118.
(Presenter: Joani Finwall, Registrar of Voters, 387-2100)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item may require Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The possible incremental increase to the total cost of election workers caused by the recommended ordinances will depend on the number and compensation level of the County employees and employees of other Board of Supervisors governed entities who serve and what role they are assigned to fill in polling places. The County Employee Poll Worker Program (Program) will continue to be administered by existing Registrar of Voters (ROV) staff. Approval of any potential adjustments to the ROV 2025-26 budget is not requested at this time but will be included on a future countywide budget report presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval, if needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The ordinances amending the current codes relating to employees serving as election workers were introduced on August 5, 2025, Item No. 118. The item before the Board today recommends adoption of the ordinances on the Consent Calendar.
County employees are an important source of volunteer election workers who help residents exercise their right to vote at polling places, which total more than 400 during countywide elections. The recommended ordinances are intended to increase the number of employees participating and in turn improve the services provided to voters.
On February 28, 2006 (Item No. 41), the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 3970, establishing the Program. Through the Program, County employees were paid their regular County compensation without having to use their leave balances for Election Day as well as a daily stipend of $100 to $250 depending on the election worker position they filled. Employees interested in the Program were expected to complete required election worker training outside their normal work schedule, without pay by attending evening or weekend classes.
On December 17, 2019 (Item No. 79), the Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County and Board Governed County Service Area 70 and the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District adopted Ordinance No. 4372 adding section 13.0617 to the County Code relating to County employees serving as election workers, Ordinance No. FPD 19-02, and Ordinance No. SD 19-04, amending the Program by:
1. expanding it to employees of Board Governed County Service Area 70 and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District;
2. expanding the definition of employee to include regular employees, Public Service Employees, extra-help and recurrent employees, and contract employees; and
3. changing the method of financially compensating employees who volunteer as poll workers.
Over the years, 200 to 300 County employees have served as election workers for each countywide election. ROV’s goal is to continue to recruit one to two County employees to work in each polling place, one of which would serve as supervisor to improve the professional management of the polling places.
In order to participate in the Program, each employee must obtain supervisor’s approval to serve as a poll worker in order to ensure departments still have sufficient resources to provide vital services. The Program provides employees a chance to gain valuable leadership and supervisorial experience in an environment outside their office or work site.
The recommended ordinances would add ordinances to replace those that expired in January of 2025, and will continue indefinitely, unless amended.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Aaron Gest and Richard Luczak, Deputy County Counsels, 387-5455) on July 22, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Elias Duenas 387-4052, Ivan Ramirez, 387-4020, Administrative Analysts and Amanda Trussell, Principal Administrative Analyst 387-4773) on August 4, 2025.