REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 6, 2026
FROM
DAWN ROWE, Chair and Third District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Post Notices of Vacancies for the Inland Empire and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation Districts
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to post notices of vacancies, on October 6, 2026, for four seats on the Board of Directors for the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, and two seats on the Board of Directors for the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District.
2. Set a date of October 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., as the last day to submit applications for a seat as Director on the Board of Directors in Recommendation No. 1.
(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 direct the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors (Clerk) to post notice of vacancies as requested by the Inland Empire and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation Districts (collectively “Resource Conservation Districts”). As provided by Section 9314 of the California Public Resources Code, the Inland Empire and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation Districts have requested that the Board of Supervisors (Board) appoint Directors as an alternative to an election to fill vacancies. Terms for certain Directors for the Resource Conservation Districts are slated to expire on November 27, 2026. The Board will solicit applications and then appoint Directors to the following vacant seats:
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Four vacancies for a term of approximately four years ending at 12:00 noon, on Friday, November 29, 2030. Vacancies are for the seats currently held by:
• Brad Buller
• David Friedman
• Rick Gomez
• Andy Okoro
Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District
Two vacancies for a term of approximately four years ending at 12:00 noon, on Friday, November 29, 2030. Vacancies are for the seats held by:
• Kenneth Harmsen
• Neville Slade
An applicant for a seat on the Board of Directors 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.
Applications for appointment to the Board of Directors for the respective conservation districts will be accepted by the Clerk and must be received by Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The Chair of the Board will review applications and select applicants to be appointed by Board action during a future meeting. Section 9314, of the California Public Resources Code, requires the Board to consult with the Riverside County Board of Supervisors prior to appointment of Directors to the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District.
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 August 24, 2026; County Counsel (Jolena Grider, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 25, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886) on September 14, 2026.