REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 23, 2020
FROM
GARY McBRIDE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution to Address Racism and Equity
End
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution affirming that racism is a public health crisis that results in disparities in family stability, health and mental wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice, and housing.
(Presenter: Leonard X. Hernandez, County Chief Operating Officer, 387-5425)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Improve County Government Operations.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of the recommended resolution will not require the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On June 9, 2020 (Item No. 64), the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed county staff to work with community advocates to draft a resolution acknowledging that racism is a public health crisis. On June 30, 2011, the Board and the San Bernardino Council of Governments adopted the Countywide Vision, a roadmap for the future of the county with an emphasis on 10 elements, including public safety, education, jobs and the economy, wellness, and housing. The Countywide Vision recognizes each of these elements are interrelated and interdependent.
The recommended resolution states the County will actively participate in the dismantling of racism by working with community partners to establish “Equity” as an eleventh element within the Countywide Vision and to create an Equity Element Group that will identify programs, policies, and collaborations to address the effects, impacts, and prevention of racism. An Equity Element Group comprised of community members and experts in health, education, economic development, law and justice, and other disciplines would define and work towards achieving goals and initiatives to expand opportunity and inclusiveness and create a path toward ensuring equity for all San Bernardino County residents and serve as an example for other communities.
The recommended resolution also states, among other things, that the County will collaborate with law and justice agencies and the community to ensure public confidence that public safety is administered equitably; support community efforts to amplify issues of racism and engage actively and authentically with communities of color throughout our county; and encourage each of the 24 incorporated cities and towns within the county to adopt similar resolutions.
PROCUREMENT
Not Applicable
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Michelle Blakemore, County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 18, 2020; Finance (Stephenie Shea, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on June 17, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on June 17, 2020.