County's $9.5 Billion Budget Benefiting Several First District Projects and Needs

On Tuesday, our San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a $9.5 billion budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year beginning July 1, with several items directly benefiting the First District:

• To enhance public safety in our region, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is adding seven deputy sheriff positions at Victor Valley Station, and two deputy positions at the Barstow Sheriff’s station, which also patrols First District areas. Using my discretionary funding, we also provided $500,000 to fund two Adelanto Deputy positions for one year. Additional County funding will go toward expanding the inmate housing capacity and adding 38 new positions at the High Desert Detention Center. This will result in improved medical and mental health treatment for inmates while ensuring compliance with mandated staffing levels and training.
• San Bernardino County Fire is receiving an approximate $17,000,000 budget increase for our North Desert Regional Service Zone, with over $3.5 million directed toward Capital expenditures. My office also provided $375,000 in discretionary funding for a new snow cat at San Bernardino County Fire’s Wrightwood station.
• The District Attorney’s office will receive $867,983 to continue filing abatement actions on landowners to prevent recurring illegal marijuana cultivation sites throughout the County.
• Public Works is receiving partial funding for several First District Capital Improvement Projects. This includes the Rock Springs Rd. Bridge Replacement in Apple Valley, the Shadow Mountain Rd. Paving and Bridge in Helendale, the Ranchero Rd. Widening and Rehabilitation in Hesperia, the National Trails Highway Bridges Management Plan, and the Green Tree Blvd. connecting roadway and bridge. 
• Disaster Relief: The new budget invests $15 million from the General Fund for victims of this winter’s severe blizzards. This will be used for community needs not covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• The County is investing $72.7 million on its Homeless Initiative Spending Plan to prevent and reduce homelessness.
• The Workforce Development Board will receive $500,000 for its Economic Recovery Business Services Outreach Support Program. This will allow the County to partner with local Chambers of Commerce to provide resources for small businesses struggling to hire and build their workforce.
• Finally, $31 million will go toward large-scale improvements and additional staff at our County’s nine regional parks, which includes neighboring Mojave Narrows Regional Park and Calico Ghost Town.
• Want to learn more? View the budget and watch the board meeting.