NEWS

From the County of San Bernardino

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 14, 2000

For more information, contact

County Public Information Officer David Wert

(909) 387-4082

dwert@cao.co.san-bernardino.ca.us

County Reorganization Stresses Economy, Public Trust

With its eyes set on creating quality jobs and attracting skilled workers to San Bernardino County, the Board of Supervisors today approved the latest phase of a historic reorganization of county government.

Citizens may not immediately feel the effects of Tuesday's action because the county will continue to deliver the high level of public service residents have come to expect from San Bernardino County.

But by consolidating the county's various economic development departments under one newly created leadership position, the board set the stage for unprecedented cooperation that will quickly and efficiently link employers with workers and make the county a magnet for successful and promising companies.

The heart of the reorganization plan moves the county's departments of Economic and Community Development, Jobs and Employment Services, Redevelopment, and Land Use Services under a single associate county administrative officer. Jobs and Employment Services has been part of the county's Human Services System, while the Redevelopment director has reported directly to the County Administrative Officer.

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County Reorganization

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The board's action also advances the county's effort to restore the public's faith in county government by increasing supervision over a variety of fiscal services. Deputy administrative officers will coordinate and oversee the restructuring of the county's procurement process, the sharpening of real estate policies and procedures, and the advancement of major construction and maintenance projects.

Other elements of the reorganization signal a change in the county's public service philosophy - that departments should be organized to best serve the public rather than what might be most convenient for the organization.

In August, the board approved the first phase of this reorganization by creating the Human Services System. That system combines the county's social services and health care functions under one administrator to integrate and streamline the services provided by these departments, which often serve the same clients.

In addition, Transportation/Flood Control, Regional Parks and Waste Systems will be combined under a new Public Works Department, while Museums, the Registrar of Voters and Agriculture/Weights and Measures will be placed under a newly created Special Services group.

The changes continue to fulfill the goals set forth by County Administrative Officer Will Randolph when the board appointed him to the county's top non-elected position last April.

Randolph is working toward making the county's social and health services more responsive to their clients, using the county's resources to build a stronger local economy, and restoring the public's trust in county government through meaningful reform.

The board is scheduled to consider finalizing this latest phase of the county reorganization next Tuesday, to be effective in late April.

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