For City Council Meeting March 24, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
From: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to: (1) Adopt Resolution No. 8487 Approving the Measure I Continuation Expenditure Plan Developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority; and (2) Authorize the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute all Related Documents.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the City Council:
1) Adopt a resolution approving the Measure I Continuation Expenditure Plan developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority; and
2) Authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all related documents.
BACKGROUND
Measure I is a one-half of one percent transactions and use tax, originally approved by San Bernardino County voters in 1989 and renewed in 2004. The measure provides dedicated funding for transportation improvements throughout the County and is currently set to expire on April 1, 2040. The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is proposing a continuation of Measure I beyond 2040, which is anticipated to be placed before voters on the November 3, 2026, ballot. If approved by voters, the continuation would maintain the existing one-half of one percent sales tax rate without increasing taxes and is estimated to generate approximately $7.5 billion over its first 30 years. Revenues would remain within San Bernardino County and would continue to be dedicated exclusively to transportation-related purposes.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The proposed Expenditure Plan allocates revenues by percentage and geographic subarea. The City of Rialto is located within the San Bernardino Valley Subarea, where funds would be allocated as follows: twenty-five percent (25%) for Local Mobility, fifty percent (50%) for Regional Mobility, and twenty-five percent (25%) for Operations. Local Mobility funds are distributed directly to jurisdictions based on population and may be used for street rehabilitation, pothole repair, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, grade separations, and related improvements. Jurisdictions must adopt an annually updated Five-Year Plan to receive funds, and five percent (5%) must initially be reserved for active transportation projects.
Regional Mobility funds support major regional projects such as freeway and interchange improvements, rail capital and rehabilitation, congestion management, and related system enhancements, with expenditures determined by the SBCTA Board based on recommendations from local representatives. Operations funds support transit and mobility services, including bus and rail operations, senior and specialized transportation services, rideshare programs, and first/last mile connections. Additionally, three percent (3%) of total countywide revenue is reserved for Interregional Mobility projects addressing key corridors, goods movement, and emergency and disaster response infrastructure.
The Expenditure Plan includes return-to-source provisions, annual local audits, biennial SBCTA audits, and continued oversight by an Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee. Pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 180206, the Expenditure Plan must be approved by the County Board of Supervisors and a majority of the cities representing the incorporated population in order to place the measure before voters. Participating jurisdictions are being asked to consider the Resolution in advance of the deadlines required to place the measure on the November 2026 ballot. The attached Resolution also includes SBCTA’s Transportation Expenditure Plan, Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, and Ballot Question as Exhibit’s A, B and C.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposal is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
Goal 4-2: Protect residential neighborhoods from through traffic impacts.
Goal 4-3: Protect residences, sensitive land uses, and pedestrians from activities along rail corridors.
Goal 4-4: Protect school children and others from traffic hazards around schools.
Goal 4-5: Ensure the provision of adequate, convenient, and safe parking for all land uses.
Goal 4-6: Provide for all residents and businesses to have equal access to reliable and convenient public transit services.
Goal 4-7: Achieve optimum use of regional rail transit.
Goal 4-8: Establish and maintain a comprehensive system of pedestrian trails and bicycle routes that provide viable connections throughout the City.
Goal 4-9: Promote walking.
Goal 4-10: Provide a circulation system that supports Rialto’s position as a logistics hub.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
This action will have no impact on the operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This action will have no impact on the Capital Improvement budget.
Licensing
A Business Licensing application and payment of a Business License tax is not required for this action.