San Bernardino County Transportation Authority staff told the Apple Valley Town Council Tuesday that Measure I, the county's half-cent transportation sales tax, has funded projects countywide and returned dollars to Apple Valley for local street repairs, sidewalks and transit improvements.

Luis Vidaurri of the authority (SBCTA) gave a presentation on Measure I history and local examples. He said Measure I was first approved in 1989, renewed in 2004 and has supported regional projects from freeway extensions to local repaving and transit services. Vidaurri cited totals presented in the SBCTA video and materials: Measure I has helped deliver billions in county transportation projects and tens of thousands of jobs countywide, and the county's return-to-source approach provides a reliable revenue stream for Apple Valley projects.

Council members and staff discussed specific local projects that have received Measure I funding, including townwide paving priorities, the Bear Valley Bridge rehabilitation and safe routes work near YucaLoma Elementary. Councilmember Bishop thanked SBCTA staff and noted Apple Valley received nearly $3 million in Measure I pass-through funding in 2023, which he said had helped local road projects.

SBCTA also noted taxpayer protections in Measure I, including an independent oversight committee and a 1% cap on administration uses. Vidaurri urged residents to provide input via an SBCTA survey (gosbcta.com/measurei) as the agency plans future investments and priorities.

Councilmembers and the audience asked about specific projects outside the town's boundary that affect Apple Valley traffic, including the Rock Springs Road corridor and bridge work in nearby unincorporated areas; SBCTA staff said design work was advancing on several regional corridors and that Measure I funds are frequently leveraged to secure state and federal matching funds.

The presentation was informational; no formal council action on Measure I funds was taken at Tuesday's meeting.