REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 16, 2025
FROM
TERRY W. THOMPSON, Director, Real Estate Services Department
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management
SUBJECT
Title
Right of Way Contract with the State of California for the Sale of Exempt Surplus Property in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County near Barstow
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Adopt Resolution:
a. Finding that the sale of a portion of County-owned real property, comprising approximately 5.43 acres of land, located in an unincorporated area south of Barstow (portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 0417-011-07-0000) is an exempt project under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Section 15312 (Surplus Government Property Sales) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
b. Declaring that a portion of County-owned real property (portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 0417-011-07-0000), comprising approximately 5.43 acres of land, located in the unincorporated area south of Barstow in San Bernardino County is no longer necessary for the uses and purposes for which it was acquired and is surplus and available for disposal in accordance with County Policy 12-17.
c. Declaring that the land in Recommendation 1a. is exempt surplus pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(D).
d. Authorizing the sale of the exempt surplus land to the State of California pursuant to Government Code Section 25365 and County Policy No. 12-17 upon payment of the purchase price of $23,900 plus reimbursement of administration costs of approximately $10,000 (Four votes required).
2. Approve the Right of Way Contract - State Highway with the State of California, to sell a portion of County-owned real property, comprising approximately 5.43 acres, located in the unincorporated area south of Barstow, upon payment of the purchase price of $23,900 plus reimbursement of administration costs of approximately $10,000.
3. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute the Grant Deed to convey the exempt surplus land to the State of California, subject to the close of escrow.
4. Authorize the Director of the Real Estate Services Department to execute escrow instructions and any other non-substantive documents necessary to complete this transaction, subject to County Counsel review.
5. Direct the Real Estate Services Department to file the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Terry W. Thompson, Director, 387-5000)
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 Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) is funded by property taxes, fees, and other local, state, and federal funding. SWMD (IO 1015963) will receive revenue in the purchase price amount of $23,900, plus reimbursement of approximately $10,000 for administration costs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The recommended actions will declare that certain property in an unincorporated area south of Barstow, consisting of a total of approximately 5.43 acres (portion of Assessor’s Parcel Number 0417-011-07) (Property), is no longer necessary for the uses and purposes for which it was acquired and is surplus and available for disposal pursuant to County Policy No. 12-17. It will also declare that the land is exempt surplus pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(D) and authorize its sale to the State of California (State) for a purchase price of $23,900 plus reimbursement of administrative costs of approximately $10,000.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is acquiring property rights for a pavement rehabilitation and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) infrastructure project (Project) that will take place along State Route 247 (also known as Barstow Road) from Stoddard Wells Road to Route 15 in and near the City of Barstow in San Bernardino County. The Project includes constructing sidewalks at sidewalk gaps, re-striping all lanes, replacing sign panels, and upgrading traffic signals at Armory Road and Rimrock Road intersections. Other proposed construction includes bus pads, rumble strips, upgrading the metal beam guardrail, and upgrading to ADA curb ramps. A portion of the Project bisects the Property, which is a part of the Barstow Landfill Site.
The Real Estate Services Department (RESD) initially received an offer package from Caltrans in October 2024 to request an easement over the Property. However, in February 2025, Caltrans revised its request from an easement to a fee acquisition for the Property. (SWMD has determined that the Property is not necessary for landfill operations and is surplus to its needs. RESD has assisted SWMD with the proposed disposition and Caltrans has provided an appraisal of the Property. RESD staff has reviewed the appraisal and accepted the appraised fair market value for the Property of $23,900, using a commonly used and acceptable method of valuation. The State will pay a fair market value of $23,900 for the Property and reimburse RESD’s administrative costs, estimated at $10,000.
County Policy No. 12-17 - Surplus Real Property (Policy No. 12-17) provides that if property is no longer needed, the Board may declare it surplus and authorize the disposition of the Property. Because the Property is not needed for landfill operations, SWMD requests that the Board declare the Property surplus. The sale of the Property was reviewed pursuant to the Surplus Land Act, and because the Property is being conveyed to another local, state or federal agency for its use, the Property qualifies as exempt surplus land pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(D). In accordance with California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Surplus Land Act Guidelines Section 400(e), RESD will provide a copy of the Resolution to HCD for review and concurrence.
The sale of the Property was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and was determined to be categorically exempt from further environmental review under California Code of Regulations Sections 15312 (Surplus Government Property Sales) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines. The Property is not located in an area of statewide, regional, or area-wide concern as identified in Section 15206(b)(4) and no significant values for biological or cultural resources have been identified on the Property. Additionally, the Common Sense Exemption applies when it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. The County will have fulfilled its obligation under CEQA for this Property with the posting of the Notice of Exemption by RESD.
PROCUREMENT
County is authorized to declare the Property surplus pursuant to County Policy No. 12-17, declare the Property exempt surplus pursuant to Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(D), and to sell the Property to the State pursuant to Government Code Section 25365 and County Policy No. 12-17.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Agnes Cheng, and Maria Insixiengmay, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 21, 2025; Solid Waste Management (Marc Rodabaugh, Deputy Director, 386-9017) on October 6, 2025; Purchasing (Ariel Gill, Supervising Buyer, 386-8046) on October 8, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, 387-5412, and Eduardo Mora, 387-4376, Administrative Analysts) on December 1, 2025.
(BF: 361-8976)