REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 3, 2024
FROM
DAWN ROWE, Chair and Third District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Appointment of Directors, In Lieu of Election, to the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that pursuant to the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 9314(b)(1), the Inland Empire and Mojave Desert Resource Conservation Districts’ Board of Directors, by Resolution, has requested that the Board of Supervisors appoint directors to their respective District Boards as an alternative to the election of said Directors.
2. Approve appointment of three Directors to the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors, and appointment of three Directors to the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors, as outlined in the Background Information section.
(Presenter: Dawn Rowe, Chair and Third District Supervisor, 387-4855)
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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost) as this action is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This item will provide for the appointment of directors, in lieu of election, as requested by the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District (collectively, Districts).
As provided for by Section 9314 of the California Public Resources Code, the Districts have requested that the Board of Supervisors (Board) appoint directors as an alternative to an election to fill vacancies. On October 8, 2024 (Item No. 4), the Board directed the Clerk of the Board to post notices of vacancy for three positions of Director for the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, and three positions of Director for the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District. The deadline for submission of applications was set for 5:00 p.m. on October 22, 2024. All six incumbents of both Districts chose to apply for reappointment. No additional applications were received.
Each individual recommended for appointment as a Director of a Resource Conservation District must be a registered voter in the state, and (1) reside within the district and either owns real property in the district or have served for two years or more as an associate director providing advisory or other assistance to the district directors, or (2) be a designated agent of a resident landowner within the district. Directors should also have a demonstrated interest in soil and water conservation, as indicated in their application.
On October 29, 2024, the Registrar of Voters verified all applicants are registered voters within the State of California, and property ownership within the district was verified through the Assessor’s Property Information Management System. In addition, because portions of the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District lie within Riverside County, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors was consulted regarding the appointment in accordance with the provisions of the California Public Resources Code.
The individuals listed below will be appointed as Directors for the respective Resource Conservation Districts to a four-year term ending at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 24, 2028:
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
• James Earsom
• Nancy Humenik Sappington
• Lorien Sanders
Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District
• Chuck H. Bell
• Paul Johnson
• Eldert Van Dam
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (Lynna Monell, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 387-3848) on October 31, 2024; County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 31, 2024; Finance (Stephanie Maldonado, Administrative Analyst, 387-4378) on November 14, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 14, 2024.