Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/22/2012 04:00:23 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – High unemployment and a staggering number of people underwater on their mortgages continues to vex San Bernardino County, with no relief expected until late 2015, according to a budget report approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The county added 15,600 jobs in the first three months of 2012, but its unemployment rate, as of March, was still hovering at 12.7 percent, higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.4 percent and California’s unemployment rate of 11.5 percent.

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State Senator Bob Dutton

Liset Márquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/03/2012 06:01:14 PM PDT

ONTARIO – A local senator may soon revive a bill aimed at helping this city gain autonomous control of the struggling LA/Ontario International Airport.

Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, created Senate Bill 446 in early 2011 in an effort to move discussions along between officials from Ontario and Los Angeles World Airports, which operates ONT under a 44-year joint-powers agreement.

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GnanaDev

Friday, April 6, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 7, 2012 – 12:00 p.m.

InlandPolitics. com has learned that Dr. Dev GnanaDev, medical director at San Bernardino County-owned and operated Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), will step down from his position.

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Devereaux

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/26/2012 06:31:32 PM PDT

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors met in a special closed session meeting on Monday to evaluate Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux’s performance.

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Staff report
Posted: 03/22/2012 04:36:39 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales has convened a special board meeting regarding a public employee evaluation of the county’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux.

The meeting, which will be held in closed session, has been in the works for some time, county spokesman David Wert said.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.

An initiative to amend the San Bernardino County charter to reduce the pay, status and staffs of county supervisors is headed to the ballot.

The “Part-Time Pay for Part-Time Work” initiative, a measure backed by county unions, has officially qualified to go before county voters.

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Executive Editor Frank Pine
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:04 AM PST

San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors asked county lawyers last week to draft language for a ballot measure that would give voters the final say on increases to pension benefits for public employees.

Supervisors Janice Rutherford, Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales voted yea with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voting nay.

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Friday, January 27, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.

Well we finally have it.

San Bernardino  County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales admits she’s in it for the dough.

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Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 12/24/2011 06:11:58 AM PST

San Bernardino County’s imposition of labor terms on a law enforcement union could have longstanding ramifications on its relationship with the bargaining group.

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Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 12/21/2011 10:31:20 AM PST

A union representing San Bernardino County public- safety employees has agreed to labor terms proposed by an arbitrator in June that averts 14 percent pay and benefits cuts to certain employees, the county announced Wednesday.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.

A stark contrast has emerged between San Bernardino County and neighboring Riverside this week.

A contrast in how each county deals with collective bargaining and budgeting.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, December 18, 2011 – 10:50 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) should reconsider and accept a contract offer from county supervisors.

A contract affecting the union’s Specialized Peace Officer Unit representing Probation Corrections Officers, and Welfare Fraud and Coroner Investigators.

Why?

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BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 16 December 2011 09:49 PM

A union representing San Bernardino County public safety employees will vote again on a previously rejected contract as it faces a possible 14 percent pay and benefit cut.

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S.B. County supervisors vote to impose reductions on the 380 members of the Specialized Peace Officer unit

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 14 December 2011 06:19 PM

San Bernardino County is planning to impose a 14 percent pay and benefit cut on some public safety employees if they don’t agree to a proposal the union had previously rejected.

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By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/13/2011 06:59:46 PM PST

A group of San Bernardino County public safety employees, including probation officers and district attorney’s investigators, face a 14 percent cut in pay and benefits unless they agree to a previous proposal by the county.

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Devereaux

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 01:45 p.m.

You gotta hand it to those crack San Bernardino County lawyers.

Based upon recommendations from CEO Greg Devereaux and, according to him, county attorneys, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to impose a 14% pay cut to Probation Corrections Officers, Coroner Investigators and Welfare Fraud Investigators.

The classifications make up the Specialized Peace Officer Unit represented by the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA).

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 09:25 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors appear to be on collision course with the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA).

On Tuesday, a majority of county supervisors intend to reject the advisory award by a neutral arbitrator and impose a one-year contract on Probation Corrections Officer, Coroner Investigator and Welfare Fraud Investigator members in the Specialized Peace Officer Unit represented by SEBA.

An illegal act under the expired agreement.

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By Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 12/12/2011 06:05:49 PM PST

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today will consider cutting salary and benefits for a group of probation correction officers, a move officials say will result in $3.6million savings annually.

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Mitzelfelt

Monday, December 12, 2011 – 09:45 a.m.

The writing is on the wall, or should we say on the agenda, in the budget standoff at the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt has been blocking the approval of first quarter budget adjustments affecting millions of dollars in funding.

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BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 11 December 2011 07:46 PM

Sixteen San Bernardino County cities waiting for public safety funds are among those watching to see how a budget update dispute among county supervisors will play out.

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Sunday, December 11, 2011 – 09:45 a.m.

The San Bernardno County Board of Supervisors is set to impose a hefty pay cut on the Specialized Peace Officers Unit. A represented by the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA).

A cut of 14%.

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011 – 12:05 p.m

Has anything really changed in San Bernardino County government?

The answer. Not really.

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It’s the second consecutive meeting where they fail to reach an agreement

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 06 December 2011 07:32 PM

San Bernardino County remains unable to pay some of its bills after a second straight meeting where supervisors failed to reach agreement on budget adjustments.

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The San Bernardino County Sentinel
Published Friday, November 18, 2011

San Bernardino County this week renewed its contract with the controversial Sacramento-based lobbying firm Platinum Advisors, extending the arrangement for the firm to provide legislative advocacy for three years.

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Friday, November 18, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.

Sometimes you have to count to four.

At least if you want to pass appropriation adjustments through the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Yes, the apple cart was been turned over at Tranquility Base this week, when first quarter budget adjustments failed to make it through the board.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.

It’s been no secret that someone has wanted San Bernardino County Supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt gone.

Now it’s crystal clear.

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BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 04 October 2011 08:48 PM

San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux is facing fallout over remarks two supervisors say mischaracterize their opposition to his budget plan.

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Derry

Derry criticizes CEO: misplaced priorities, failure to negotiate in good faith with bargaining units

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 – 05:00 p.m.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – San Bernardino County CEO Greg Devereaux made comments at the Fontana Rotary Club regarding the county budget that Supervisor Neil Derry does not believe accurately reflect the ongoing budget discussions taking place within the county.

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San Bernardino County is making changes but on a narrow margin, Greg Devereaux says

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 03 October 2011 09:55 PM

San Bernardino County supervisors need to be willing to stand up to employee unions to solve a $134 million budget gap the county will face over the next five years, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux said Monday.

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By Joe Nelson Staff Writer
Posted: 08/12/2011 08:23:55 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux disputed allegations that county attorneys are essentially assisting in the criminal defense of Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum by sharing information in a civil lawsuit with Burum’s lawyers.

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Postmus

By Joe Nelson Staff Writer
Posted: 08/12/2011 09:33:57 PM PDT

San Bernardino County cannot just sue Colonies Partners LP to recoup a landmark $102 million settlement because of former Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus’s guilty plea to bribery, the county’s CEO said.

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Monday, August 8, 2011 – 02:25 p.m.

The latest disclosure filings by San Bernardino County’s public employee unions reflects a continued build-up of political action money from last years levels.

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County Supervisor Janice Rutherford

Thursday, August 4, 2011
S. E. Williams
Staff Writer

When Janice Rutherford was elected Second District Supervisor last year, voters looked with renewed hope toward a future of clean government. Most were fed-up with the scandals and fraud that have plagued the county for nearly a generation.

The election, once again, gave voters a chance to elect new representation. Although this made voters hopeful—history in San Bernardino County has also taught them to be diligent and remain watchful.

As a result, when Rutherford approached the county’s Chief Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and asked about the infamous “1,200 Acres” of undeveloped, surplus county flood control property in Rancho Cucamonga, alarm bells sounded and a weary constituency questioned, why?

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10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 1, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County is severing its ties to the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corp., more than two years after the nonprofit group was started to help reduce blight caused by the foreclosure crisis.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, July 8, 2011 – 09:55 a.m.

What a mess the County of San Bernardino has on its hands.

Multiple unions have rejected contract concessions in the face of rising health insurance premiums.

One carrier, Kaiser Permanente, is increasing its premiums this year by 15%.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 – 09:45 p.m.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies rejected a concession package proposed and recommended by their union Wednesday evening.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – 09:45 p.m.

The San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association representing Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy Public Defenders and Child Support Attorneys, has overwhelmingly rejected a contract concession package.

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Adopt vision statement
By Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino Staff Writer
Created: 07/01/2011 09:11:58 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – When Greg Devereaux took over as top San Bernardino County executive a year ago, he noticed that its leadership did not have a clear road map to follow.

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By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 06/16/2011 06:05:39 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – County supervisors on Thursday went through a proposed county budget, one that calls for $3.8 billion in spending – about $91 million less than the 2010-11 budget.

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10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 16, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County supervisors delayed adoption of a budget Thursday, saying they need more time to review the proposed $3.8 billion plan, which includes cuts and layoffs.

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10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 15, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterrise

San Bernardino County supervisors will meet this afternoon to consider a budget plan that cuts services and asks employees to give up some health and retirement benefits.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Joe Nelson
Posted: 06/14/2011 12:22:00 PM PDT

Mark Kirk, the county’s Director of Governmental Relations and a defendant in a criminal probe into the county’s settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP, has resigned.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.

One has to wonder why there is such a disconnect in the way San Bernardino and Riverside County governments conduct business respectively.

Riverside County seems to be able to maintain a sense of order and cohesiveness.

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Monday, June 13, 2011 – 05:45 a.m.

A budget solution for San Bernardino County officials appears to still be illusive at this point.

Thanks primarily to wishful thinking.

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09:15 PM PDT on Friday, June 10, 2011
By BOB BLOUGH

The San Bernardino Public Employees Association takes issue with the editorial “Pare costly perks” (Our Views, June 2).

The partnership referred to in the editorial stated the obvious — recovery requires the participation of both management and the employees.

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10:00 PM PDT on Friday, June 10, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County’s proposed budget calls for significant cuts to the district attorney and probation department and would reduce the hours of county employees if they refuse decreased health and retirement benefits.

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James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/31/2011 06:38:59 PM PDT

Two key San Bernardino County employee unions won’t accept a package of concessions that county leaders have asked all employees to take, union leaders said Tuesday.

That could spell doom for county chief executive Greg Devereaux’s plan to cut the county budget in large part with employee concessions, forcing the county to cut programs and services, said county spokesman David Wert.

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10:55 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County’s request for retirement and health benefits concessions from its two biggest employee groups is facing resistance, leaving county administrators to look at making an additional $30 million in cuts instead.

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Devereaux

Thursday, May 26, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors remains on a path of converting to a staffing platform closer to that of a city council over the next few months.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 – 11:54 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors needs some pointers from a neighbor.

They really do!

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Gonzales

Gonzales proposes ways to fix image of SB County government
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/17/2011 09:31:47 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales on Tuesday proposed several reforms in light of the county’s ongoing corruption scandal.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 4, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County may abandon plans to build a new government center as it wrestles with an ongoing budget shortfall.

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10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 3, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County could be forced to make drastic cuts if employees don’t agree to reduced benefits and give up pay raises, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday during a budget workshop.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cuts in services, perks proposed
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/03/2011 10:18:47 PM PDT

San Bernardino County’s best chance at staving off a $125 million budget gap by 2020 is to increase revenue, reduce public services, be more efficient and reduce compensation to employees, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux said Tuesday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, April 29, 2011 – 10:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 29, 2011 – 12:17 p.m.

The not-so-bright idea to require all San Bernardino County employee unions to uniformly agree to benefit concessions has blown up in Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux’s face.

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Leaders didn’t think CalPERS increases would be a problem
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/23/2011 08:03:04 PM PDT

Unions wanted them. Pension managers said they were affordable. Elected officials approved them.

But improved pension benefits granted to public employees over the past 12 years are now costing local governments dearly. And for that, officials acknowledge, there’s plenty of blame to go around.

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10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 19, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County supervisors approved a decrease in benefits for firefighters while raising some fees for county services Tuesday as they prepare to close a budget gap.

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Bloomington resident and retired San Bernardino County employee Dorothy Lueking will lose 24 percent of her pension income after a special benefits program is cut. (Al Cuizon/Staff Photographer)

Subsidy stinger
County ends payment to ex-employees
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/16/2011 10:12:12 PM PDT

When Dorothy Lueking, 74, was in high school in south Los Angeles, her government teacher said it was good to work for the government because of the benefits.

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By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 04/07/2011 05:38:12 PM PDT

Thousands of retired government workers will have to get by with less starting later this year, after the leaders of San Bernardino County’s retirement fund voted Thursday to end an account that has paid special benefits to retirees for more than a decade.

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Scarpello

April 07, 2011 4:12 PM
From Staff Reports

SAN BERNARDINO • A Denver city and county elections chief has been named the new San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters, county officials announced Thursday.

Michael Scarpello will replace Kari Verjil, who left this county to serve as Riverside County’s Registrar.

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10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 5, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County supervisors reduced health and retirement benefits for about 550 mostly management employees Tuesday as part of a first step toward reining in a $122.5 million budget deficit.

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Devereaux to ask board to up employees’ share
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/04/2011 06:02:07 PM PDT

San Bernardino County is about to wade hip deep into the debate over public employee pensions.

Greg Devereaux, the county’s chief executive officer, will recommend today that the Board of Supervisors cut pension contributions for county employees – starting with Devereaux himself and other high-ranking staff – as part of a plan to shrink a coming budget deficit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, April 4, 2011 – 05:40 a.m.

San Bernardino County’s salaried-exempt employees are about to be on the receiving end of imposed benefit cuts.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, March 21, 2011 – 10:58 a.m.

In a continuation of a post published last week. The discussion now proceeds to the economy, labor relations and pensions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, March 18, 2011 – 12:30 p.m.
Last Modifeid: March 28, 2011 – 03:00 p.m.

After burying its head in the sand for almost two years, San Bernardino County wants its employees to bear most of the burden in solving its financial woes.

Woes that could have been addressed some time ago.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/16/2011 06:58:46 PM PDT

Some San Bernardino County employees may have to pay a greater percentage of their retirement costs if a proposal expected to go before the Board of Supervisors next month is approved.

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3,656 residents give their views
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/20/2011 09:16:58 PM PST

Results from a survey of 3,656 San Bernardino County residents asked to describe their likes and dislikes about the county, as well as where they would like to see it in 20 years, are in.

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Thursday, February 17, 2011 – 12:40 p.m.
Last Modified: February 20, 2011 – 11:35 a.m.

The government pension fund for the County of San Bernardino, once-renowned for it’s long-term investment savvy, has taken a hard fall over the past few years.

A fall, the fund is still reeling from to this day.

A fall, now affecting county taxpayers and employees.

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10:00 PM PST on Monday, February 14, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux is recommending a series of budget and staffing changes in a midyear budget review going to the Board of Supervisors today.

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By Joe Nelson Staff Writer
Posted: 02/11/2011 01:06:50 PM PST

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will review and discuss quarterly budget projections and proposed adjustments from county departments.

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CEO Greg Devereaux, Treasurer Larry Walker and Director of Governmental Relations Mark Kirk

.

10:00 PM PST on Monday, February 7, 2011
Cassie MacDuff

A new report on a growing deficit in the San Bernardino County employee pension fund has the Board of Retirement on the defensive.

Managing Trustee Larry Walker, the county treasurer, on Friday called the report an “attack piece,” but quickly backpedaled, saying the staff member who compiled it may have missed the big picture: Over 28 years, the fund’s earnings have averaged 9 percent a year.

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10:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 3, 2011

By DAVID DANELSKI
The Press-Enterprise

A new report on the San Bernardino County employees’ retirement fund is prompting calls for pension reforms to avoid future cuts to county services.

The report from County Executive Officer Greg Devereaux’s office shows a growing hole — called an “unfunded liability” — of about $1.1 billion in the pension fund. The liability is the difference between the $7.4 billion the fund is obligated to pay employees and pensioners and the $6.3 billion it has in various investments.

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Joe Nelson and Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writers
Posted: 01/23/2011 09:20:13 PM PST

To some, San Bernardino County is a place with ample trails along the Santa Ana River, quality infrastructure and plenty of space for future development and growth.

On the other hand, the county has failed to eliminate blight, improve the county’s image, limit corruption and lure more college graduates.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 – 12:45 p.m.

Let the games begin.

In Wednesdays edition of The Sun newspaper San Bernardino County’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux started to play his poker hand in an effort to gain control of a ballooning budget deficit nearing $140 million.

The first salvo in turning public perception against the county employee unions.

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Devereaux

County must grapple with $16.4 million debt

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2011 08:39:39 PM PST

Rising pension rates for San Bernardino County’s employees will wield a $16.4-million blow to the county’s budget and likely result in more layoffs and reduction of services, county Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux said Tuesday.

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