End of Discretionary Funds Sparks Fight Between Supervisors

San Bernardino County’s beleaguered Board of Supervisors begins a busy week today following a heated meeting June 9 in which some strong words were exchanged.

In a 4-1 vote, the council agreed to give up some $450,000 of discretionary funds afforded to supervisors for use on projects of their choice during that meeting.

First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt voted against the proposed cut, insisting the move was an attack on his district, which encompasses much of the high desert.

“I do not trust this county to serve my district, because it never has,” he said.

Tempers flared as Mitzelfelt and Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford, whose district runs from Fontana into Crestline, exchanged words.

Rutherford said some people find the idea of a supervisor having thousands of dollars at their disposal disturbing, asserting “some of the things the money is spent on would not make it past the board.”

Eliminating the funds would be an equalizer, she said.

“What this (change) gives us, the five of us who have this obligation from the voters, is the chance to sit every year as a council together and decide what are our highest priorities are,” Rutherford said. “And that’s where our money goes. And that does mean that some very worthy projects, programs and people are not going to make the cut every year. And that’s a shame. I’m sorry for them.”

The county is grappling with a $46.6 million budget gap for the 2011-12 fiscal year. This gap is the result of expenses -- primarily salaries and benefits, retirement costs, insurance costs and unfunded leave liability -- outpacing revenues, according to a staff report.

County officials are struggling to avoid cuts in public safety. The wrangling that day included debate over the purchase of a $175 million, 800 megahertz radio used by emergency services and the $15.3 million allotted to the maintenance funds.

The board meets today at 10 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors, County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino. The county budget will be discussed further during a special meeting Thursday.