No county action in recent memory has raised the ire of property owners like the $157 per parcel special fire tax imposed following a dubious “protest vote” in 2018. Now the measure, which has survived multiple lawsuits and attempted court injunctions, will go back to the voters possibly as soon as this July. Reporter Mike Lipsitz is here with details…
On one of the last agenda items at tomorrow’s 10 a.m. meeting of county supervisors, the registrar of voters will present the certified ballot initiative calling for repeal of the special tax associated with Fire Protection Service Zone Five. A voter petition effort organized by the non-profit Red Brennan Group gathered more than 34,000 signatures forcing the issue back to voters in a legitimate election. County supervisors must now decide whether to put the repeal initiative on the ballot at the November 3 presidential election or hold a special election either this July 7 or 14.
Tomorrow’s meeting takes place at the County Government Center in San Bernardino, but like nearly every aspect of present day life, the coronavirus is forcing a number of modifications to county government routines. Specifically, the public is invited to attend tomorrow’s meeting only via live internet streaming video. Comments may be made via email only.
The regular live teleconference at the County Government Center in Joshua Tree will not take place tomorrow.
Based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health, the Governor’s Executive Order and Office and the San Bernardino County Public Health Officer, you may observe a live stream of the Board meeting at http://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/ViewMeetings.aspx; No live public access is otherwise available.
To comment on a specific agenda item prior to the meeting, submit your comments via email or online by 8 a.m. the day of the Board meeting. Submit comments to the Clerk of the Board via email at [email protected] or online at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx. Your comments will be placed into the record at the meeting.
If you are watching the live stream of the meeting and wish to make a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item as it is being heard, submit your comment of 250 words or less to the Clerk of the Board at http://www.sbcounty.gov/cob/publiccomments/default.aspx. Efforts will be made to read comments into the record, but some comments may not be read due to time limitations. Comments received after an agenda item will be made part of the record if received prior to the end of the meeting.
