REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 24, 2026
FROM
DAWN ROWE, Chair and Third District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Mojave Desert and Inland Empire Resource Conservation Districts Appointments in Lieu of Election
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that pursuant to the provisions of Public Resources Code Section 9314(b)(1), the Mojave Desert and Inland Empire 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 Kenneth Harmsen, in lieu of election, to the vacant position of Director for the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors.
3. Approve appointment of Andy Okoro, in lieu of election, to the vacant position of Director for the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors.
(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.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost), as it is non-financial in nature.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This item will provide for the appointment of Kenneth Harmsen as Director on the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors, effective March 24, 2026, ending at 12:00 PM on November 27, 2026, to serve the unexpired term of Meredith Hergenrader. This item will also provide for the appointment of Andy Okoro as Director on the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors, effective March 24, 2026, ending at 12:00 PM on November 27, 2026, to serve the unexpired term of Rod LeMond. As provided in Section 9316 of the Public Resources Code, in the case of a vacancy in the office of Director appointed pursuant to Section 9314, the vacancy shall be filled, as provided in Section 9314, by appointment for the unexpired term by the Board of Supervisors of the principal county.
On February 10, 2026, (Item No. 5), the Board of Supervisors directed the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to post Notice of Vacancies for both positions and invited applications from interested and qualified individuals. During the application period, two applications were received and reviewed by representatives of the respective Resource Conservation District.
An applicant recommended for appointment as a Director of a Resource Conservation District must be a registered voter in the State of California, and (1) reside within the district and either own 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 demonstrate interest in soil and water conservation, as indicated in their application.
On February 25, 2026, the Registrar of Voters verified both 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.
As a result of this process, Kenneth Harmsen and Andy Okoro are hereby recommended for appointments to the Board of Directors of the respective Districts.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
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 February 25, 2026; County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 26, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886) on March 2, 2026.