SBCTA outlines Measure I benefits and local returns to Chino Hills

Chino Hills — Tim Watkins, chief of legislative and public affairs at the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), presented an overview of Measure I at the Aug. 12 Chino Hills City Council meeting, describing the half-cent sales tax’s history, governance and local impacts.

Watkins said Measure I — first approved in 1989 and extended by voters in 2004 — is a locally controlled half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation improvements across San Bernardino County. He told the council Measure I currently generates about $250 million annually and that approximately one-third of that goes back to local jurisdictions; “I think Chino Hills gets roughly $2,000,000 a year back to Chino Hills for transportation or for local streets and road projects,” he said.

Watkins described range of Measure I investments, including freeway extensions and interchange upgrades, Metrolink expansion, bus-route improvements and active-transportation projects such as bike lanes and pedestrian safety work. He emphasized oversight measures, noting an independent taxpayer oversight committee and that administrative costs are “only about 1%” of the measure.

During Q&A, council members asked whether Peyton Avenue’s extension south of Woodview Road to Soko Canyon Parkway is conditioned on local development; city staff said there is no timeline and that construction would be driven by development, with Measure I funds potentially contributing. A council member also asked whether a more substantial sales tax increase (to 1¢) is under consideration; Watkins said the SBCTA board and staff are evaluating options and no board action has been taken.

Watkins encouraged public engagement, noting a Measure I report and survey are available on SBCTA’s website for input on future priorities.