At its May 6 meeting, the SBCTA Board of Directors completed the first reading of the proposed Measure I Ordinance No. 261. This ordinance would continue the half cent sales tax that helps pay for transportation projects across San Bernardino County. Voters first approved Measure I in 1989 and extended it in 2004. The new proposal would update the measure and its spending plan for the future.
Over the past several years, SBCTA has worked with cities, stakeholders, community members, and transportation experts to review how Measure I has performed and what the county will need moving forward. This included workshops, surveys, and guidance from two Board appointed committees. The proposed expenditure plan outlines how future Measure I funds would be used throughout the county, including project categories, funding formulas, and rules to ensure fair distribution.
Before a transportation measure can be placed on the ballot, state law requires approval from the Board of Supervisors and a majority of the city councils representing most of the county’s population. These approvals were received earlier this year, allowing the process to move forward.
The first reading is an important step in finalizing the ordinance. The second reading and possible adoption are scheduled for the June 3, 2026, SBCTA Board meeting. If approved, SBCTA will send the ordinance and resolution to the County Board of Supervisors, who would then take action to place the measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Measure I has helped deliver major freeway, interchange, transit, and local road improvements for more than three decades. Updating the ordinance and expenditure plan ensures that San Bernardino County can continue investing in transportation projects that support safety, mobility, and economic growth well into the future.