REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF the following:
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 7, 2026
FROM
JOE BACA, JR., Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation, and Chief Flood Control Engineer
SUBJECT
Title
Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Acting as the governing body of San Bernardino County:
a. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Rialto for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project to install solar-powered lighting along the Cactus Trail corridor to enhance public safety, visibility, and accessibility, effective upon execution by both parties and continuing through completion of the project and final payment, and wherein the County shall reimburse the City of Rialto an amount not to exceed $859,100.
b. Authorize an allocation of $859,100 from the 2025-26 Fifth District’s Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budget for the Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project.
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
2. Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, waive the San Bernardino County Flood Control District encroachment permit fees for the City of Rialto Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project, finding that such waiver serves a public purpose pursuant to Section 2(1)(j)(1)(C) of the San Bernardino County Flood Control District Fee Ordinance by enhancing public safety and reducing potential risks associated with low-visibility conditions by facilitating the installation of solar powered lighting in the current San Bernardino County Flood Control District right-of-way.
(Presenter: David Doublet, Assistant Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
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), and June 11, 2024 (Item No. 110), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an allocation of $4 million, $7 million, $6 million, and $3 million, respectively, to the Board Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program (Priorities Program) for each supervisorial district. The Priorities Program provides funding for projects that serve a public purpose and promote the health, safety, economic well-being and overall quality of life of County residents. Unspent appropriations are carried forward to subsequent fiscal years on an annual basis.
The Cactus Trail Solar Lighting Project (Project) will be funded by the Fifth District’s Priorities Program budget in an amount not to exceed $859,100 through an allocation to the Department of Public Works (DPW). Therefore, the following 2025-26 budget adjustments are being requested:
|
Fund/Fund Center |
Commitment Item/GL Account |
Description |
Amount |
Action |
|
Priorities Program: |
|
1025001000 |
53003305 |
Contributions to Other Agencies |
$859,100 |
Decrease |
|
1025001000 |
55305030 |
Operating Transfers Out |
$859,100 |
Increase |
|
DPW: |
|
6650002000 |
40909975 |
Operating Transfers In |
$859,100 |
Increase |
|
6650002000 |
52002445 |
Other Professional & Specialized Services |
$859,100 |
Increase |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In May 2023, the City of Rialto (City) completed major upgrades to Cactus Trail, constructing a 1.5-mile Class I facility along the west side of Cactus Avenue between Rialto Avenue and Baseline Road. These improvements converted an existing dirt path into a paved multi-use corridor with dedicated space for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The proposed Project represents the next phase of improvements and includes the installation of solar-powered lighting along Cactus Trail to enhance visibility and improve public safety.
Approval of Recommendation No. 1.a. would approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City for the Project. Under the MOU, the City will act as the lead agency, responsible for project administration and construction. The County will review and approve the Project plans and specifications prior to construction and will reimburse the City for eligible Project costs in an amount not to exceed $859,100 upon receipt of invoices. Invoices are to be submitted no less than on a quarterly basis. Upon completion and County acceptance of the Project, the City will assume responsibility for ongoing operations and maintenance of the lighting improvements in accordance with the MOU. The City Council approved the MOU on February 24, 2026.
Approval of Recommendation No. 1.b. would authorize the allocation of funding from the Fifth District’s Priorities Program budget for the Project to DPW. Recommendation No. 1.c. is requesting to authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the necessary budget adjustments required to transfer funding to DPW to fund the Project. The minimum 25% matching contribution is not applicable because the funding is being allocated to another County department.
Recommendation No. 2 proposes waiving the encroachment permit fee pursuant to Section 2(1)(j)(1)(C) of the San Bernardino County Flood Control District’s (District) Fee Ordinance upon a finding that such waiver will serve a District purpose. In this instance, the waiver of encroachment permit fees will enhance public safety and reduce potential risks associated with low-visibility conditions by facilitating the installation of solar-powered lighting in the current District right-of-way.
Upon approval of this item, District staff will waive the encroachment permit fees otherwise applicable to the Project pursuant to Section 2(1)(j)(1)(C) of the District’s Fee Ordinance.
This item aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives for ensuring the development of a well-planned, balanced and sustainable County by improving safety, and working cooperatively with the City to construct this Project.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Council (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, and Sophie Curtis and Aaron Gest, Deputies County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 30, 2026; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7202) on March 27, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886, and Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on March 27, 2026.