REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 5, 2025
FROM
PAUL COOK, First District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Withdrawal from the Joint Powers Agreement for the Quad State Local Governments Authority
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve withdrawal from membership and participation in the Joint Powers Agreement for the Quad State Local Governments Authority, a public entity that currently includes San Bernardino County, Imperial County, Counties of Mohave and La Paz, Arizona, and Counties of Lincoln and Nye, Nevada, for the purpose of coordinating actions and acting on environmental issues of mutual concern, effective June 30, 2026.
2. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, in consultation with the County Chief Financial Officer, to transition the position of Treasurer to another Quad State entity or agency.
(Presenter: Paul Cook, First District Supervisor, 387-4830)
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 additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Quad State Local Governments Authority (QuadState) expenses are funded by the member counties.
As Treasurer of QuadState, San Bernardino County (County) is the depository and has custody of the accounts, funds and cash of QuadState. The County manages and pays invoices on QuadState’s current contracts. The County contributes to QuadState by also filling the roles of Chair and Legal Counsel.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On February 10, 1998 (Item No. 48), the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted Resolution No. 98-22 endorsing the formation and joining of a multi-state/multi-county coordinating body composed of elected officials from counties within the desert regions of the southwest for the purpose of coordinating actions and acting on issues of mutual concern. A primary focus of the group was to provide joint collaborative responses to federal actions on land management and natural resource matters. Three days later, on February 13, 1998, representatives from six counties in four states met to form QuadState, with County Supervisor Kathy A. Davis being elected Chair.
On February 9, 1999 (Item No. 56), the Board approved the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to formally establish QuadState. The JPA established the purpose, powers, and organization of QuadState.
Since its formation, QuadState has met with executive staff of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and various congressional delegations of the four states to secure attention to various issues of regional concern, such as the desert tortoise and joshua trees. The QuadState has particularly worked closely on BLM desert planning activities in all four states, making county perspectives known to BLM staff as part of the decision-making process.
The County now wishes to withdraw from its membership and participation in QuadState. Per the JPA, any member may withdraw from QuadState with at least 30 days written notice. The effective date of June 30, 2026 should provide sufficient time for QuadState to transition the roles of Chair, Treasurer, and Legal Counsel held by San Bernardino County. Although the approval of this item would withdraw the County’s membership effective June 30, 2026, QuadState will still exist, unless the remaining member counties determine otherwise. If the Board approves Recommendation No. 1, written notice will be provided to the QuadState members after Board approval on August 5, 2025, and the County’s withdrawal will be effective as of June 30, 2026.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and John Tubbs, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 21, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on July 21, 2025.