The Board of Supervisors recorded a unanimous vote Jan. 13 to appoint Joshua Duvess as acting director of the Department of Behavioral Health, county counsel reported during the meeting.

County staff also highlighted several programs and administrative updates: Ensign Mason, introduced as the auditor-controller-treasurer-tax collector, outlined a new partial property tax payment option for San Bernardino County taxpayers, noting flexibility to pay anytime but warning partial payments do not stop penalties or tax-sale eligibility if installment deadlines are missed (first installment due Nov. 1, penalties after Dec. 10; second installment due Feb. 1, penalties after Apr. 10).

Presenters described therapy-dog visits at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center as a program that brings certified dogs (named Nova and Tula) to visit patients and families, reducing tension and improving mood. County training initiatives such as the Management and Leadership Academy (an eight-month program) and school collaborations (Rialto Unified SIR and CTE programs, now including ROTC) were described as workforce and community resilience investments.

In addition, supervisors reported awards and discretionary funding decisions, including $100,000 for an airport terminal display board and grants for sheriff's traffic enforcement programs ($1,410,000), among other routine updates.