REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 17, 2026
FROM
JESSE ARMENDAREZ, Second District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
COL. PAUL COOK (RET.), First District Supervisor, Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve Contract with The Rivers Edge Ranch, to contribute from the Board of Supervisors Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program budgets, consisting of $280,000 from the Second District and $150,000 from the First District, to assist with costs related to the relocation and expansion of the Women’s and Men’s River’s Edge Ranch, respectively, in the not-to-exceed amount of $430,000, for the period of November 17, 2026 through November 16, 2027.
(Presenter: Jesse Armendarez, Second District Supervisor, 387-4833)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote and Fulfill the Countywide Vision.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
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), June 11, 2024 (Item No. 110), April 29, 2025 (Item No. 86), and June 10, 2025 (Item No. 136), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an allocation of $4 million, $7 million, $6 million, $3 million, $2.5 million, and $2.5 million, respectively, to the Board Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program (Priorities Program) for each of the five supervisorial districts for projects that meet a public purpose, and provide services to citizens that promote health, safety, economic well-being, and other public services that enhance quality of life and meet the needs of County residents. On an annual basis, unspent appropriations for discretionary funding will be carried over into the subsequent year’s budget.
The recommended project will be funded by the First and Second Districts’ Priorities Program budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Priorities Program projects help promote the vision of a complete County by recognizing the unique traits of each Supervisorial District and, thereby, allow individual Board Districts to work with community partners through County services and contractual agreements to identify programs, projects, and initiatives that support the vision, meet a public purpose and provide services to residents that promote health, safety, economic well-being, education, recreation, and other public services that enhance quality of life and meet the needs of the County’s residents. Projects under the Priorities Program are based on District Supervisor discretion and are presented by each District Supervisor for Board approval.
The recommended project will provide funding from the First and Second Districts to assist The Rivers Edge Ranch (Ranch) with costs associated with the relocation of the Women’s Ranch to 17468 Grevillea Street in Fontana, and the expansion of the Men’s Ranch to a new location at 9401 Crystal Creek Road in Lucerne Valley. This contract will serve the public purpose of providing for the health, safety and social service needs of the County residents by supporting the Ranch’s relocation and expansion, which will increase its capacity to assist individuals in recovery and help them achieve long-term independence through treatment and supportive programs. The Ranch is a non-profit organization. Per County Policy 05-10, non-profit organizations are not required to provide a minimum 25% matching contribution to the projects.
Under the Board Discretionary Fund Priorities Program contract terms, the Chief Executive Officer, at the direction and agreement of the First and Second District Supervisors, may extend the terms of the contract, in writing, under the following conditions:
a. In aggregate, all extensions do not exceed 12 calendar months;
b. Is specifically requested by the contractor;
c. Will not change the project goals or scope of services;
d. Is in the best interest of the County and contractor in performing the scope of services under the contract; and
e. Does not alter the amount of compensation under the contract.
Board discretionary funding allocations under the Priorities Program with community partners must be for projects or services of $10,000 or more as described in County Policy 05-10. Additionally, contracts that include non-profit organizations, government entities, or educational institutions are non-competitive. Contracts with community partners that include for-profit organizations are to be processed according to existing County procurement policies. Contracts with other government agencies or for-profit organizations require a matching contribution of at least 25% of the proposed projects. All contracts shall be paid on a lump-sum basis or under other terms as approved by the Board.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 29, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Penelope Chang, Principal Administrative Analyst, 387-4886) on October 26, 2026.