REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SITTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR THE FOLLOWING:
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 16, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation, Special Districts
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Allocation of Third District Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund Allocations
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County:
a. Authorize an allocation of $31,030,000, with $7,678,000 from County Infrastructure Reserve and $23,352,000 from the 2025-26 Third District’s Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budget to fund the following projects and contract:
i. $20,230,000 to be disbursed to the Department of Public Works for the following projects:
1. Yucca Trail and La Contenta Road located in the Joshua Tree area, for intersection improvements in the amount of $4,240,000.
2. Alta Loma Road at Sunny Vista Road located in the Joshua Tree area, for intersection improvements in the amount of $9,620,000.
3. Alta Loma Road at Park Boulevard/Quail Springs Road located in the Joshua Tree area, for intersection improvements in the amount of $4,370,000.
4. State Highway 62 at Sunset Road located in the Joshua Tree area, for traffic signal and sidewalk installation in the amount of $1,500,000.
5. Arrowbear Fire Station at Rim of the World Scenic Byway located in the Arrowbear area, for a flashing sign installation in the amount of $500,000.
ii. Approve Contract with County Service Area 70 to provide funding for the following projects, in the total amount of $10,800,000, with a contract term of December 16, 2025 through December 15, 2030:
1. Pioneertown Bathroom and Flood Control Project for bathrooms and flood control along Main Street located in the Pioneertown area, in the amount of $2,000,000.
2. Joshua Tree Bathroom and Parking Project for parking, bathrooms, and trash enclosures near the downtown Joshua Tree area, in the amount of $2,500,000.
3. Joshua Tree Sewer Infrastructure Project for district formation, Local Agency Formation Commission proceedings, site acquisition, planning, design, Water Board permitting and environmental assessment, in the amount of $6,300,000.
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments as detailed in the Financial Impact section, for the transfer of funds for projects listed in Recommendation No. 1 (Four votes required).
2. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County Service Area 70:
a. Approve Contract with San Bernardino County, in the total amount of $10,800,000, to provide funding for the following projects, with a contract term of December 16, 2025 through December 15, 2030:
i. Pioneertown Bathroom and Flood Control Project for bathrooms and flood control along Main Street located in the Pioneertown area, in the amount of $2,000,000.
ii. Joshua Tree Bathroom and Parking Project for parking, bathrooms and trash enclosures near the downtown Joshua Tree area, in the amount of $2,500,000.
iii. Joshua Tree Sewer Infrastructure Project for district formation, Local Agency Formation Commission proceedings, site acquisition, planning, design, Water Board permitting and environmental assessment, in the amount of $6,300,000.
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments as detailed in the Financial Impact section, for the transfer of funds for projects listed Recommendation No. 2 (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
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 $4.0 million, $7.0 million, $6.0 million, $3.0 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 projects under Recommendation Nos. 1 and 2 will be funded by the County Infrastructure Reserve and Third District’s Priorities Program budget in the amounts of $7,678,000 and $23,352,000, respectively.
The following 2025-26 budget adjustments are needed for CSA 70’s Countywide CIP fund, Transportation Operations fund, and the County General Fund:
|
Fund/Fund Center |
Commitment Item/GL Account |
Description |
Amount |
Action |
|
San Bernardino County General Fund |
|
1000 |
37008390 |
Fund Balance Committed - County Infrastructure Reserve |
$7,678,000 |
Decrease |
|
1161161000 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
$7,678,000 |
Increase |
|
1023001000 |
53003305 |
Contribution to Other Agencies |
$23,352,000 |
Decrease |
|
1023001000 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
$23,352,000 |
Increase |
|
Transportation Operating Fund |
|
6650002000 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
$20,230,000 |
Increase |
|
6650002000 |
52002445 |
Other Professional & Specialized Services |
$20,230,000 |
Increase |
|
CSA 70 Countywide CIP |
|
1050003604 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
$10,800,000 |
Increase |
|
1050003604 |
54104010 |
Improvements to Land |
$10,800,000 |
Increase |
Sufficient appropriation for the projects will be included in future recommended budgets, as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Priorities Program is designed to support projects that strengthen local communities, address infrastructure and public safety needs, and enhance the overall quality of life for San Bernardino County residents. Through input from constituents, coordination with service providers, and collaboration with County departments, the Third District has identified several high-priority community projects across Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Arrowbear, and surrounding areas. These projects represent both immediate needs and long-term investments in public infrastructure, safety, mobility, and essential amenities.
The proposed allocations will provide targeted funding to advance transportation safety improvements, pedestrian mobility enhancements, and community-serving public facilities. Several of the transportation projects will improve key intersections with enhanced safety features, signaling, and roadway improvements to support growing vehicle, pedestrian, and tourist traffic in the region. Other improvements, such as flashing emergency signage near Arrowbear Fire Station and sidewalk and signal installation near Highway 62, will enhance public safety for both residents and visitors.
In addition, a portion of the allocation will fund priority community improvements within County Service Area 70, including the development of public restrooms, parking facilities, trash enclosures, and flood control features in Pioneertown and Joshua Tree. These improvements respond to increasing public use, community requests, and documented needs related to visitor impacts, accessibility, and sanitation. Significant funding will also support the next phase of the Joshua Tree Sewer Infrastructure Project, including planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and district formation work to advance a safe and sustainable wastewater system solution for the community.
Together, these investments reflect the Third District Supervisor’s continued commitment to addressing the evolving needs of rural and high-desert communities while supporting responsible growth, public safety, and infrastructure resilience. The Department of Public Works will oversee and implement the transportation-related improvements, while County Service Area 70 will manage projects within its jurisdiction, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and consistent with public purpose requirements.
This item aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) goals and objectives for ensuring the development of a well-planned, balanced and sustainable County by improving facilities within the subject locations, and by working cooperatively with other agencies to complete these various projects. The proposed bathroom and parking lot improvements advance San Bernardino County’s and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals of ensuring a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable community by upgrading essential public amenities to meet current accessibility, safety, and environmental standards. These improvements enhance community livability, support equitable access, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and promote sustainable resource use, which are core principles of the Countywide Vision and the County Strategic Plan.
Under the contract terms, the CEO, at the direction of the Third 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 County Service Area 70;
c. Will not change the project goals or scope of services;
d. Is in the best interest of the County and County Service Area 70 in performing the scope of services under the contract; and
e. Does not alter the amount of compensation under the contract.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel and Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 24, 2025; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on December 03, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886 and Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on December 2, 2025.