Board of Supervisors - 2025-12-09
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of Supervisors held a largely procedural meeting on December 9, 2025, with the primary substantive action being the appointment of Robert Fish as the new Riverside County Fire Chief, replacing retiring Chief Bill Wiser. The Board also approved a $12 million county contribution plus $1 million from District 4 for a new IID electrical substation in the Thousand Palms area to support economic development near the Acrisure Arena. The 2025 Fire Code and California Wildland Urban Interface Code updates were adopted to improve fire resilience and insurability for county residents.
Key Decisions (7)
Appointment of Robert Fish as County Fire Chief
The Board appointed Robert Fish as the new Riverside County Fire Chief, effective December 9, 2025. Fish was previously appointed as CAL FIRE Riverside Unit Chief on November 10, 2025. He replaces retiring Chief Bill Wiser. Vote was unanimous 5-0.
Cook Street/Thousand Palms Substation Funding Agreement with IID
Approved $12 million county contribution plus $1 million from District 4 UCI fund for a new IID electrical substation in the Thousand Palms area. Partners include cities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, The Berger Foundation, and IID. Project supports economic development near Acrisure Arena.
Coachella Power Fund Partnership (Item 3.59)
Approved partnership establishing the Coachella Power Fund consisting of cities of La Quinta, IID, City of Indio, and residents of the Eastern Coachella Valley for regional energy infrastructure improvements.
Annual Mitigation Fee Report FY 2024-25
Received and filed the annual mitigation fee report as required by California Government Code Section 66000. Total fees collected were $9.1 million, total project expenditures were $6.8 million, and more than $50.5 million committed to board-approved projects. Supported by Desert Valley Builders Association.
CDBG/ESG/HOME Annual Performance Report (CAPER)
Approved the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for HUD programs. County invested $12.39 million serving over 245,000 people through CDBG ($8.6M), ESG, HOME ($3M creating 190 affordable units), and HOME ARP ($2.3M creating 224 units including 68 permanent supportive housing units).
2025 Fire Code and Wildland Urban Interface Code Adoption
Adopted Ordinance 07/2011 and Ordinance 787.11 adopting the 2025 California Fire Code and 2025 California Wildland Urban Interface Code with local amendments. Includes new water requirements and landscape mitigation provisions to qualify for fire risk reduction community list for improved insurability.
Election Certification - Receive and File
Board received and filed the election certification from the Registrar of Voters as a ministerial duty. County Counsel advised the Board has no discretion and would require a court order to not receive and file.
Development Activity (3)
Cook Street/Thousand Palms Electrical Substation
New electrical substation to address blackout issues and support economic development. County contributing $12 million plus $1 million from District 4 UCI fund. Partnership with cities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Berger Foundation.
Avenue 58 Substation
Future electrical substation project partnering with City of La Quinta, to be brought to Board at future agenda.
Millennium Apartments
241 new apartment homes at build out. Groundbreaking recently held.
Market Signals (5)
Infrastructure
Riverside County is investing heavily in electrical infrastructure in the Coachella Valley to address chronic blackout issues during summer months, with $13 million committed to the Thousand Palms substation project.
Housing Demand
County HOME program created 190 new affordable housing units and provided down payment assistance for 28 first-time homebuyers in FY 2024-25, indicating continued demand for affordable housing.
Housing Demand
HOME ARP funds created 224 units including 68 permanent supportive housing units for homeless individuals, with all referrals through coordinated entry system.
Commercial Demand
Economic development is anticipated near Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms, with additional projects expected following electrical infrastructure improvements.
Sentiment
Pulte Homes and other developers are proactively building fire-resilient communities that meet new fire code requirements, indicating market adaptation to wildfire risk concerns.