REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2026
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Calling a Special Election to Submit Measure I, the Local Transportation Improvement Program, to Voters at the November 3, 2026 Countywide Election
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the proposed action to call and consolidate a special election for the submission of Measure I to the voters is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, sections 15378(b)(4) and 15061(b)(3), because the action concerns a governmental funding mechanism and election process and does not approve or commit the County to any specific transportation project.
2. Adopt Resolution calling a special election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of submitting San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Ordinance No. 26-1, known as Measure I, the Local Transportation Improvement Program/San Bernardino County Road Repair/Traffic Relief Extension, to the voters of San Bernardino County for consideration of the continuation of the existing one-half of one percent retail transactions and use tax for local transportation purposes.
3. Consolidate the special election with the countywide election to be held on November 3, 2026, and direct the Registrar of Voters to conduct the election in accordance with applicable law.
4. Direct the Registrar of Voters to include, print, publish, and/or otherwise make available all ballot materials, notices, the full proposition, and the adopted county transportation expenditure plan as required by law.
5. Direct the Registrar of Voters to designate the measure as Measure I and place it first among local San Bernardino County measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot, to the extent permitted by law.
6. Direct the Department of Public Works to file and post the Notice of Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Luther Snoke, Chief Executive Officer, 387-4811)
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.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of these actions will have no financial impact. Subsequent approval of the continuation of Measure I by San Bernardino County voters will result in approximately $250 million annually in transportation revenue countywide. Measure I has a return to source provision so that revenue generated in a specified Subarea will be returned to that Subarea for use on projects in various specified programs, with some funds passed directly to San Bernardino County for local transportation projects.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Measure I is San Bernardino County’s existing one-half of one percent retail transactions and use tax dedicated to local transportation improvements. San Bernardino County voters first approved Measure I in November 1989 and later approved its continuation in November 2004 through 2040.
Since its inception, Measure I has provided funding for numerous transportation improvements, including freeways, interchanges, major streets, local roads, the Metrolink commuter rail system, public buses, traffic signals, and other transportation-related projects and programs.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is proposing to continue Measure I beyond its current 2040 expiration date. If approved by voters, Measure I would continue the existing one-half of one percent retail transactions and use tax for local transportation purposes from 2040 until ended by San Bernardino County voters. The measure would not increase the existing tax rate. The proposed continuation of Measure I does not include a sunset date and would remain in effect unless and until repealed by San Bernardino County voters.
The continued Measure I revenues would remain in San Bernardino County and would be used for eligible local transportation purposes, including freeway and highway improvements, local street and road improvements, bridge and overpass improvements, traffic flow and congestion relief projects, public transit, and other transportation programs identified in the adopted expenditure plan. Measure I also includes accountability provisions, including annual financial audits and oversight by an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee.
On February 4, 2026, SBCTA approved the proposed Expenditure Plan for circulation to and approval by its member jurisdictions. On April 7, 2026 (Item No. 29), the Board of Supervisors approved the Expenditure Plan for revenues expected to be derived from the proposed continuation of Measure I. A majority of San Bernardino County cities, representing a majority of the San Bernardino County’s population, have also approved the Expenditure Plan.
On June 3, 2026, the SBCTA Board of Directors adopted Ordinance No. 26-1 concerning the continuation of the existing one-half of one percent retail transactions and use tax for local transportation purposes. SBCTA has requested that the Board of Supervisors take the actions necessary to place Measure I on the November 3, 2026 ballot and file the related California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption. A copy of SBCTA Ordinance No. 26-1, including the related exhibits, Expenditure Plan, and CEQA documentation, is attached to this item.
Approval of this item will call and consolidate a special election for November 3, 2026, submit Measure I to the voters of San Bernardino County, direct the Registrar of Voters to conduct the election in accordance with applicable law, and authorize the filing and posting of the CEQA Notice of Exemption.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 18, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Dalton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5005) on June 5, 2026.