Eddie Lopez

Imperial County, CA — The County of Imperial announced that Assistant County Executive Officer Bari Bean has chosen to conclude her service with the County, effective September 30, 2026. The County is grateful for her leadership and the many contributions she has made on behalf of Imperial County residents.

During her tenure, Bean held several leadership roles including Deputy CEO of Natural Resources, state funded Lithium Ombudsman, and a federally funded Regional Innovation Officer position. Collectively she helped lead the County’s Lithium Valley strategy, bringing together County departments, community organizations, tribal governments, educational institutions, industry partners, and state and federal agencies to turn the region’s geothermal energy and critical mineral resources into lasting local opportunity. As a member of the County Executive Office, she worked to carry out the direction of the Board of Supervisors, translating priorities into initiatives and partnerships that advance opportunities for residents.

Bean also helped advance the Lithium Valley Specific Plan and Program Environmental Impact Report, as well as initiatives supporting local jobs such as the County’s Lithium Valley Construction Workforce Ordinance and development of the new Imperial County Northend Center in Calipatria, California. She has been integral in legislative affairs where she has helped draft and testify in support of legislation on behalf of the County, including AB 2163 (adopted September 27, 2026), which establishes Strategic Clean Energy and Critical Mineral Development Zones. Bean represented Imperial County across the country, advocating with state and federal leaders for policies and resources that support regional priorities and expand revenue for infrastructure, and she represented the County across several venues including globally to attract investment to Imperial County. Beyond Lithium Valley, she worked across departments on strategic initiatives and coordinated emerging projects such as New River funding, and developing community and education grants to expand opportunities for residents and businesses throughout the County.

“Bari brought determination, creativity, and an extraordinary commitment to Imperial County to every initiative she took on,” said County Executive Officer Dr. Kathleen Lang. “She understood that realizing the promise of our region’s resources takes hard work to connect development with jobs, education, infrastructure, and meaningful benefits for residents. I am grateful for her partnership, her leadership, and the lasting contributions she has made to our County.”

The County thanks Bean for her service and wishes her success in whatever comes next in her career.

Imperial County, CA – Imperial County and Imperial Valley College (IVC) are working collaboratively to provide the public with clear and accurate information regarding the significant increase in the property tax rate associated with IVC’s general obligation bonds for the 2026–27 fiscal year. 

The Imperial County Auditor-Controller’s Office is solely responsible for calculating the annual bond tax rate. Preparation and completion of the secured property tax billing process involves coordination between the County Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector offices. IVC is not involved in the calculation or preparation of the annual bond tax rate. 

Why the 2026–27 Rate Increased 

During the 2025-26 fiscal year, County staff overstated the amount of funds available for repayment of IVC’s bonds. Although these funds had not actually been collected, the over-allocation caused the bond fund to appear higher than it was.

Once the corrected balance was established, it was necessary to restore the bond fund in order to meet the current year’s principal and interest obligations. 

County staff and its financial consultants evaluated several options for addressing the deficiency. The County chose to correct the shortfall within the current fiscal year. 

IVC was neither consulted on this decision nor notified of it before tax bills were prepared and mailed. In previous years, the County had communicated with IVC representatives regarding adjustments to bond rates. 

For the current tax year, this is expected to result in a larger one-time increase for property owners. The County believes spreading the correction over several years could have left the fund without enough money to make required bond payments, resulting in additional borrowing and interest costs for taxpayers. 

The County has informed the college district that the adjustment will restore the fund to the level needed to meet its bond obligations and avoid the added costs of carrying a negative balance. 

The County and IVC recognize that an unexpected increase places a real burden on property owners. The County believes this was the most prudent course of action to protect taxpayers from additional borrowing and interest costs over time.

Because the shortfall is being corrected in full this year, the bond tax rate is expected to return to prior year rates for the 2027–28 fiscal year. Final calculations are in process by the County. 

Strengthening the Process Going Forward 

As part of the review, County staff have identified several procedural improvements intended to strengthen oversight, accuracy and communication in future bond tax calculations. 

Proposed improvements include: 

• A formal review process for annual bond tax rate calculations; 
• Providing affected agencies with proposed calculations and supporting documentation before rates are finalized; 
• A detailed reconciliation of beginning fund balances, prior-year collections, debt-service requirements and levy requirements; 
• Additional internal verification of calculations; and 
• Earlier communication between the County and affected agencies when significant changes to an annual levy are identified. 

The County will continue working to review the underlying calculations and ensure that information provided to taxpayers and partner agencies is complete, consistent, and understandable. 

Both the County and Imperial Valley College are committed to transparency and to implementing safeguards that reduce the likelihood of a similar situation occurring in the future. 

Imperial County, CA — The County of Imperial celebrates Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill 2163, authored by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez in close collaboration with the County. The County sponsored the bill and worked extensively with Assemblymember Gonzalez to develop a framework that can help turn Lithium Valley’s geothermal energy and critical mineral resources into investment, infrastructure, industry development, and jobs for residents. AB 2163 passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2026.

“This legislation grew out of a need to prioritize the extraordinary clean energy resources and critical minerals we have in California,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Peggy Price. “We are grateful to Assemblymember Gonzalez for working so closely with the County’s Legislative Subcommittee and Assistant County Executive Officer Bari Bean to write and advance a bill that connects geothermal energy and critical minerals with the infrastructure, workforce, and economic development needed to benefit our residents.”

What Is AB 2163?

AB 2163 establishes a process for the California Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and other state agencies, to designate Strategic Clean Energy and Critical Mineral Development Zones. A qualifying county may request designation from the CEC through a submission process with it’s local County Board of Supervisors.

How Does an Area Qualify for Designation?

A proposed zone must be in a county identified by state or federal agencies as having significant critical mineral deposits or production potential. It must also meet at least two additional criteria: existing baseload renewable energy generation of at least 250 megawatts, identified geothermal potential exceeding 1,000 megawatts, proximity to qualifying high-voltage transmission infrastructure, or a proposed or adopted regional planning effort that evaluates clean energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, or related industries.

Imperial County’s geothermal resources, critical mineral potential, and work on the Lithium Valley Specific Plan position the region to seek designation. The County must still submit a request documenting how a proposed zone meets the statutory criteria, and the California Energy Commission must review it.

What Are the Benefits?

Designation would help focus state attention on places positioned to support clean energy and critical mineral development. AB 2163 directs certain state agencies to give priority consideration, consistent with law, to qualifying projects, infrastructure investments, and technical assistance in designated zones. It also prioritizes projects that provide prevailing wages, opportunities for apprentices, and the use of a skilled and trained workforce.

Designation is over a qualifying area, but it does not guarantee funding or approval of any individual project. All projects remain subject to applicable environmental review and permitting requirements.

Why Is It Needed?

Imperial County has the resources to help meet growing demand for reliable clean energy and domestic critical minerals. Turning those resources into operating projects and local jobs also requires transmission, roads, bridges, water (and other infrastructure), a prepared workforce, and coordination across agencies.

Other states and countries are moving quickly to attract energy and critical mineral development and the investments that come with it. AB 2163 gives California a way to identify regions with the resources and planning to compete, then better align state programs with what those regions need to succeed. For Imperial County, it creates a path to strengthen Lithium Valley’s competitiveness while keeping local coordination and community benefits central to its development.

The County thanks Assemblymember Gonzalez for his partnership and leadership in carrying AB 2163, and the members of the Legislature who supported it. The County looks forward to pursuing designation through the California Energy Commission and building on the opportunities it could bring to Imperial County residents.

Updated regulations modernize County procedures and clarify environmental review, responsibilities and appeals

El Centro, California – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors today approved a resolution updating the County’s local California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Regulations, Guidelines for the Implementation of CEQA, As Amended, along with related environmental review procedures and findings.

The update represents the first comprehensive revision to the County’s local CEQA procedures since 2017 and is intended to reflect changes in state law, State CEQA Guidelines and applicable court decisions that have occurred since the regulations were last amended. The County’s CEQA regulations were originally adopted in 1979 and have been periodically amended since that time.

Under state law, public agencies are required to adopt objectives, criteria and procedures for evaluating projects and preparing environmental documents under CEQA. Those local procedures must remain consistent with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines.

The County’s updated regulations provide a framework for how CEQA review is administered when Imperial County or an agency governed by the Board of Supervisors serves as a lead or responsible agency. Planning & Development Services continues to serve as the County’s principal department responsible for CEQA compliance and implementation.

Among the revisions, the updated regulations clarify the responsibilities of Planning & Development Services and County decision-making bodies, update terminology and procedures, and further define the County’s process for appealing CEQA documents. The regulations establish a 10-calendar-day period to file an appeal of a CEQA document and provide for an appeal to the Board of Supervisors when no further appeal to a non-elected County body is available.

The proposed regulations underwent review and revision during the public process, including consideration by the Imperial County Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors meetings, a County workshop and responses to comments submitted by members of the public and interested parties. Several provisions were revised during that process in response to comments and additional legal review.

The Board’s action also adopted the CEQA findings associated with the regulatory update, including the findings and exemptions identified in the September 22 agenda packet.

The local regulations are intended to implement and supplement CEQA rather than replace state requirements. The regulations expressly provide that when a local rule or procedure conflicts with CEQA or the State CEQA Guidelines, the provisions of state law and the State CEQA Guidelines control.

The updated CEQA Regulations and supporting materials are included in the September 22, 2026 Board of Supervisors agenda packet.

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Committee completes initial organizational business and schedules next meeting for September 28

El Centro, CA — The Imperial County Data Center Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Imperial County Public Health Training Center in El Centro, completing several organizational actions as the Committee begins its advisory work.

During the meeting, Committee members took the oath of office, received an overview of the Committee’s formation and approved bylaws, and conducted the selection of officers. The Committee elected Kristian Michelle Salgado to serve as Chair, Mike Goodsell to serve as Vice-Chair, and John Grass to serve as Secretary.

The Data Center Advisory Committee was established to advise the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on potential land use and zoning options related to data center development within the unincorporated areas of Imperial County. The Committee serves in an advisory capacity, with final policy and land-use decisions remaining with the Board of Supervisors.

Under its established charge, the Committee may evaluate matters including potential amendments to the County General Plan and Codified Ordinances, planning tools related to the location and regulation of data center development, potential location or proximity standards, infrastructure and land-use compatibility, and other related policy considerations.

The inaugural meeting provided the Committee with an opportunity to establish its leadership and organizational structure in preparation for its upcoming work and future discussions.

The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026. Additional meeting information and the agenda will be made available through Imperial County’s official meeting agenda portal in accordance with applicable public meeting requirements. The Committee’s approved bylaws provide that its meetings are open to the public and that regular meeting notices and agendas are posted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.

About the Data Center Advisory Committee

The 19-member Data Center Advisory Committee includes representatives from local government, community interests, environmental expertise, organized labor, healthcare, education, nonprofit organizations, business, and the energy industry.

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El Centro, CA — Imperial County is reminding the community that the first meeting of the Imperial County Data Center Committee will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Imperial County Public Health Training Center, 935 Broadway Street, El Centro, CA 92243.

As the Committee’s first meeting, the agenda is primarily organizational and focused on formally establishing the Committee and preparing for its future work.

Agenda items include the administration of the oath of office, an overview of the Committee’s formation and approved bylaws, selection of a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, and selection of a future meeting date, time, and location. The agenda also provides an opportunity for public comment, with up to three minutes allotted per speaker.

The Committee’s scheduled business for this first meeting is limited to the items identified on the posted agenda. Future meetings will provide additional opportunities for the Committee to carry out its advisory role and consider matters within its established purpose and scope.

Community members are welcome to attend. Due to limited seating capacity at the meeting location, seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The full agenda and supporting materials are available through Imperial County’s official meeting agenda portal.

El Centro, CA – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors today adopted the County’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Final Budget, approving a balanced spending plan that prioritizes essential public services while addressing ongoing fiscal pressures and maintaining a focus on long-term financial stability.

The FY 2026-27 Final Budget totals approximately $799.9 million across all funds, an increase of approximately 4.8% over the prior fiscal year. The increase reflects several factors, including grant-supported programs, salary and benefit adjustments, inflationary costs for operations and materials, and continued demand for health and public safety infrastructure.

More than three-quarters of Countywide spending is directed toward public assistance, health and sanitation, and public protection, reflecting the County’s continued emphasis on services that directly affect residents, families and communities. The General Fund totals approximately $147.2 million, with public protection representing the largest share of discretionary General Fund spending.

“Balancing a budget of this size requires careful decisions, collaboration and a clear focus on the services our residents depend on,” said Dr. Kathleen Lang, Imperial County Executive Officer. “This budget reflects months of work across our departments to address current financial pressures while preserving essential services and positioning the County for long-term stability. We also recognize that every department has different operational and statutory responsibilities, and we will continue working collaboratively as the budget is implemented.”

To address structural budget pressures and align anticipated revenues with expenditures, the County’s fiscal strategy includes approximately $4.2 million in targeted transfers, including $2 million in state realignment revenues supporting mandated social service and health program costs and $2.2 million in Public Agency Retirement Services reserve adjustments associated with pension obligations.

The final budget also incorporates targeted savings and operational efficiencies identified during the budget-development process. General Fund departments previously worked to accommodate a 3% budget reduction, and the final budget includes an additional 10% adjustment to the Office Expense line for General Fund departments. This adjustment applies specifically to that expenditure category and does not represent a 10% reduction to overall departmental budgets.

These savings are also being supported by the County’s continued modernization of internal operations through the implementation of Tyler Technologies. Electronic permitting has already reduced reliance on traditional paper-based processes in certain departments, and additional digital workflows for claims, payments, accounting, auditing and other administrative functions are expected to further reduce the need for printing, physical document processing, storage and office supplies. These efficiencies are intended to help the County reduce administrative costs while maintaining essential public services.

County leadership recognizes that operational requirements vary among departments, particularly where expenditures are tied to mandated programs and services. The County will continue to evaluate departmental needs as the budget is implemented, with an emphasis on maintaining essential and legally required services while exercising responsible stewardship of public resources.

As part of its September 15 action, the Board also approved the FY 2026-27 Authorized Allocation and Vacancy Report dated September 4, 2026, and adopted the resolution establishing the Final Budget for the fiscal year. ###

County supports greater representation, diversity and transparency but warns new State requirements could impose significant unfunded costs on Imperial County and its cities

Imperial County, CA – The County of Imperial is requesting that Governor Gavin Newsom veto Senate Bill (SB) 675, citing serious concerns over the potential financial burden the legislation could place on Imperial County, its cities and ultimately local residents.

As stated in previous letters to Senator Steve Padilla regarding this legislation, Imperial County supports the spirit and many of the goals of SB 675, including increasing diversity and equitable representation on the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Governing Board, strengthening transparency, expanding opportunities for public participation and improving access to information regarding decisions that affect air quality and public health.

The County’s most serious concern is not with those goals. It is how local governments will be expected to pay for them.

An independent third-party analysis commissioned for the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District found that SB 675 would require significant new financial, administrative, technological, staffing and operational resources while providing no State funding mechanism to cover those new requirements.

The analysis identifies costs presented to the Legislature of approximately $1.5 million in one-time information technology costs, $4.5 million annually in ongoing staffing and administrative costs, and $410,000 annually for expanded air monitoring. The report also identifies additional potential expenses associated with facilities, governing board support, public complaint systems, reporting systems, legal services and other administrative responsibilities.

For a rural region with limited local government resources, those costs are significant.

The independent analysis found that much of the Air District’s existing State and federal funding is restricted to specific programs and cannot simply be redirected to cover the broader administrative costs associated with implementing SB 675.

Without dedicated State funding, the report identifies two principal options for generating additional revenue: increasing Air District permit fees and imposing a per-capita charge on the County of Imperial and the incorporated municipalities within the County.

That makes SB 675 more than an Air District governance issue. It could become a local government budget issue.

A new financial obligation imposed on Imperial County or its cities would compete with the same limited local resources used to provide law enforcement, fire protection, roads, parks, public health, water and wastewater infrastructure and other essential services residents rely on every day.

The County has worked throughout the legislative process to communicate its concerns while continuing to support the legislation’s underlying objectives. The County’s request for a veto is not a rejection of reform or broader board representation. It is a request that reform be accompanied by a realistic implementation plan and sufficient funding to prevent new State requirements from becoming another financial obligation for local governments.

The independent analysis specifically concludes that a per-capita funding mechanism would negatively affect the finances and service-delivery capacity of both Imperial County government and the municipalities within the County.

Relying heavily on permit fees presents additional concerns. The report notes that Imperial County has a relatively small business and permit base and concludes that the increases necessary to finance a newly structured Air District could exceed existing statutory limitations while placing additional financial pressure on local businesses and the regional economy.

The report also raises concerns regarding whether the transition contemplated by SB 675 can realistically be completed within the proposed timeframe.

After reviewing the managerial, human resources, technological, financial, legal and operational work involved, as well as the experience of other California air districts that have undergone similar transitions, the independent analysis concludes that establishing a new Air District structure could take years. It recommends allowing at least 36 months, and potentially longer, to responsibly complete the transition.

Imperial County believes the goals of SB 675 can be accomplished without forcing local governments to choose between implementing State policy and maintaining essential community services.

Imperial County remains willing to work with the Governor, Legislature, Senator Steve Padilla, Imperial County cities, Air District staff and community stakeholders on a framework that increases representation, strengthens transparency and expands public participation while providing adequate resources and a realistic timeline for implementation.

The County’s fiscal and implementation concerns are supported by an independent third-party analysis prepared by Dr. Steven B. Frates, Senior Fellow at the Davenport Institute, School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, examining the managerial, financial, technological, human resources, facility and legal implications associated with SB 675.

Read the full independent analysis and access the referenced exhibits at the following links: Frates Report and Exhibits

Imperial County, California — The County of Imperial intends to bring a new proposed data center moratorium before the Imperial County Board of Supervisors for consideration in the near term.

County staff are actively developing a proposed moratorium that takes into account the issues identified by the Superior Court in its recent ruling. As part of that process, the County is carefully evaluating the Court’s decision, applicable requirements of state law, and the potential effect of pending litigation on the County’s available options and the timing of any further action.

The County’s goal is to move forward promptly while ensuring that any proposed moratorium appropriately addresses the issues identified by the Court and is developed in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

“Data center development continues to be an important issue for our communities, and the Board understands the need to approach the matter carefully and responsibly,” said Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chair Peggy Price. “Our priority is to ensure that any action brought forward for consideration is thoughtful, legally sound, and responsive to the concerns that have been raised.”

Additional information regarding the proposed moratorium and the date of Board consideration will be provided once available.

Imperial County is providing an update regarding the temporary moratorium on final County approvals for data center facilities in unincorporated areas.

In June 2026, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors adopted a 45-day temporary moratorium to allow additional time to consider issues associated with data center development. The Board also established the Data Center Advisory Committee to provide a forum for community input and to develop recommendations regarding potential policies and regulations.

Following a public hearing in July, the Board extended the temporary moratorium for an additional ten months and fifteen days.

The Imperial County Superior Court recently ruled that the findings supporting the moratorium did not sufficiently address all applicable requirements under state law and directed that the moratorium be set aside.

The County respects the court’s ruling and is reviewing the decision and its next steps.

The County’s broader effort to evaluate data center development will continue. The Board of Supervisors remains committed to hearing from residents, stakeholders, and the Data Center Advisory Committee as the County considers appropriate policies related to future data center development in Imperial County.

Additional information regarding the Data Center Advisory Committee and opportunities for public participation will continue to be made available through official County communication channels.