On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Boards of Supervisors for Riverside and San Bernardino counties were to meet in a joint session to discuss issues that face both counties, from the changing health-care system to a shift that sends more state prison inmates and parolees to counties for local supervision.
“So many issues are important to residents in both counties — health care, public safety, the economy and operations at Ontario International Airport,” said Jeff Stone, chair of the RC Board of Supervisors, in a press release. “This is a chance for the counties to explore innovative programs that might save money and improve services for our residents.”
Discussion was to include the Affordable Care Act, the state of health-care delivery in the region, and how cooperation between the counties might improve residents’ health and increase cost-effectiveness. The boards also were to discuss AB 109, a state program that reassigns some state parolees to county supervision and places some newly convicted felons in county jail instead of state prison. The shift has filled Riverside County jails to maximum capacity, forcing thousands of inmates to be released early.
Also on the agenda was a potential joint committee that would focus on other issues important in both counties, and the prospects for returning operations at Ontario International Airport to local control. Los Angeles World Airports, the City of Los Angeles department that oversees operations at Los Angeles International Airport, now operates the local airport.
The meeting was to be held at the Riverside County Administrative Center and was to occur the day the Town Crier was to go to press. Coverage will occur next week.