REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 5, 2026
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Receive Report Regarding Implementation of Remote Public Participation for Board of Supervisors Meetings and Approve Outreach Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Receive presentation on implementation of remote public participation for Board of Supervisors meetings to ensure full statutory compliance, operational readiness, and equitable public access pursuant to Senate Bill 707 requirements, effective July 1, 2026.
2. Find that the Outreach Plan, Attachment A, includes reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in Board of Supervisors meetings to attend the meetings and approve the Outreach Plan.
(Presenter: Stephenie Shea, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-4811)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Improve County Government Operations.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Adequate appropriations for any costs associated with the Outreach Plan will be included in the County Administrative Office 2026-27 budget and future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In 2025, the Governor signed Senate Bill 707 which made several revisions to the Ralph M. Brown Act. The revisions related to two-way remote participation at Board of Supervisors (Board) meetings takes effect on July 1, 2026, and sunsets on January 1, 2030. The legislation requires all “eligible legislative bodies”, including Boards of Supervisors in counties with populations over 30,000, to provide the public with the ability to attend and participate remotely. This presentation outlines San Bernardino County’s (County) efforts to implement the requirements of SB 707 and requests approval of the Outreach Plan.
To ensure full compliance with SB 707 by July 1, 2026, the County has undertaken the following actions:
• Contracted with a qualified vendor to provide telephonic participation capabilities for Board meetings.
• Developed a dedicated public meetings webpage that will offer clear instructions for the public to register and participate remotely.
• Developed a targeted Outreach Plan that includes reasonable efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in Board meetings to attend the meetings.
The Outreach Plan detailed in Attachment A includes, but is not limited to, posting announcements on County websites, distributing information through Public Service Announcements, and sharing updates across various communication platforms. Such platforms include County Update videos in English and Spanish, social media, mass emails, and newsletters. Additionally, the County will provide printed handouts with a QR code providing participation information, and collaboration with community groups and departments to reach residents throughout the county, including underserved areas.
A future Board agenda will include a related item with a recommendation to adopt a service disruption policy that outlines the required steps in the event of a failure of the telephonic participation system, including a mandatory recess, documentation of restoration efforts, and procedures to reconvene the Board meeting.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 16, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on April 20, 2026.