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San Bernardino County holds fee workshop; no board action, hearing set for March 25
Summary
County staff reviewed proposed 2025–26 fee changes across departments — regional parks, public health, land use, county fire and special districts — and presented a schedule for formal hearings; board took no action at the workshop.
San Bernardino County Finance staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on proposed changes to user fees for fiscal year 2025–26 and said no action was being taken at the workshop stage. "What we're doing today is no action before the board," Matthew Erickson of County Finance told the board.
The workshop matters because fee changes affect residents, nonprofit and business customers, and several county programs that rely on fee revenue. County staff said fee revenue makes up less than 3% of the county's overall budget — about $251,000,000 — and described a targeted review process that focuses on fees not reviewed in the last three years and on high‑volume charges.
County staff outlined notable department proposals. Paloma Hernandez Barker, deputy executive officer with CEO Finance, said Regional Parks plans new options such as fishing fees, summer and family passes and holiday park entrance fees "in an effort to provide more options to our constituents." Project and Facilities Management proposes a small increase to electric vehicle charging fees tied to higher utility costs; the department may adjust that fee up to 25% in consultation with the CEO under the fee ordinance. Land use services said it will limit proposed increases to no more than 8% this cycle while adding several new land‑development and code‑enforcement fees.
Public Health proposed raising the federally qualified health center (FQHC) medical office visit fee to align with surrounding counties and adding fees to comply with SB 1383 (the state's organic waste diversion and food recovery law). Paloma said the department did cost comparisons but is not seeking full cost recovery for some medically oriented fees so services remain accessible; staff also noted state law requires certain services be provided regardless of ability to pay. "Josh Dugas walked us through a little bit," Paloma said, referring to the department staff who explained the FQHC context.
The County Fire Protection District proposed modest increases (about 1%–8%) to permitting and community safety/hazmat fees, attribution of which staff said is largely tied to previously board‑approved labor cost increases in memoranda of understanding. Special districts recommended slight admission and rental increases for Big Bear Alpine Zoo and Big Bear Valley Recreation & Park District, and modest parking fee adjustments for other county recreation sites; staff said market comparisons guided those recommendations.
Erickson summarized the fee program's schedule: the presentation was a workshop only; the first public hearing and first reading is scheduled for March 25, with a second reading planned for April 8. If adopted as proposed, most fees would take effect at the start of the next fiscal year; Regional Parks' seasonally timed changes would be adopted earlier, with an effective date of May 10, staff said.
The board also approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting, covering items 2 through 52. The chair announced the consent calendar "passes unanimously." No public comments were taken on the fee workshop item during the meeting.
Board members and the CEO thanked staff for the volume of work required to prepare fee schedules and asked staff to continue consultations with individual supervisors' offices as departments refine proposals ahead of the March 25 hearing.
