Road maintenance will become property owner’s responsibility in some areas after road districts dissolve

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 30, 2026

Recent ballot votes regarding special service areas in the Morongo Basin were certified by the County last week, and some special service areas will soon be dissolved.  

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Special Districts, as created by San Bernardino County, allowed property owners in certain areas to fund road maintenance and improvements via an additional property fee on their taxes. Earlier in 2026, the County gave residents of these Special Districts a choice via a special vote. Property owners could vote in favor of increases to the Special District fee or dissolve the Special District itself.

The County said that, “Over the years, the cost of maintaining these roads has increased significantly due to higher fuel, equipment, labor and operational expenses. As a result, the existing property-related fees no longer generate enough revenue to support sustainable road maintenance services. In some districts, routine grading services have been reduced or suspended because of funding shortages.”

Ballots were sent to homes in their respective districts. The ballots were received on June 6 and the results of that vote were certified by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors at their June 23 meeting. 

Residents in County Service Area Road District 19 in the Copper Mountain area approved the fee increases. County Service area 70, which includes the Copper Mountain area, passed a $20 per parcel fee increase. That increase will bring annual parcel fees up to $75 per year and include an adjustment of up to 3% per year.

County Service Area 70 Road Districts 20, in Flamingo Heights and Road Districts 26 and 29 in Yucca Mesa rejected any fee increases. These Special Districts are expected to be dissolved, and property owners will oversee the maintenance of their own roads. County representatives did not provide a timeline for the dissolution of the districts.

A vote in favor of increasing fees for a Special District in Landers was not certified by the board, and residents will have to vote once again in a second ballot initiative.

Landers’ proposed property tax hike for Special Districts road maintenance hits a snag

The County said that with the vote results certified, they will begin consulting with County Counsel regarding the procedural requirements and timeline to dissolve the Special Districts. The Department will notify property owners, as appropriate, regarding future proceedings for each affected Zone and return to the Board with recommendations for its consideration, determination, and approval.

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Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email June 30, 2026
Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.