Water Districts, School Boards, and More: Morongo Basin Elected Offices, 2024
Serve your community by running for one of these local offices!
This November’s election, to be held on Tuesday, November 5, is sure to generate a massive voter turnout, and while there’s a lot on the line at the top of the ticket, it’s important to remember non-partisan local elections have a big impact on many of our quality-of-life issues. The day-to-day work these boards, special districts, and city councils do is where the rubber meets the road for the functioning of our small, rural communities.
If you’ve considered running for a local elected office, we’ve got a handy list of open positions throughout the Morongo Basin. The filing deadline is fast approaching, so get that paperwork done and filed!
Information on how to throw your hat in the ring can be found on the San Bernardino Registrar of Voters’ website, including important deadlines and a useful Candidate Filing Guide. 1
Contact the Candidate Filing Clerk at the San Bernardino Registrar of Voters Office for candidacy documents if you’re interested in running for boards and districts by following the links above or call the county clerk at (909) 387-8300.
To pull candidate papers for city and town councils see the details below for Twentynine Palms City Council and Yucca Valley Town Council.
The filing period runs from July 15 to August 9. In positions with an eligible incumbent, that deadline is extended by five days, until August 14. Only new candidates can file during the extension period; the incumbent is held to the August 9 deadline.
CITY AND TOWN COUNCILS
CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS, MEMBER, CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICTS 1 AND 2
Two positions on the Twentynine Palms City Council are on the ballot: Districts 1 and 2, currently served by Mayor Steven Bilderain and Mayor Pro Tem Joel Klink.
Bilderain has announced his intention to run for a third term and Klink is currently undecided about running for his sixth term. One member of the council is selected annually to serve as mayor for that year by the Council members.
Twentynine Palms Council members are paid $465 a month along with benefits and expense reimbursements. Term lengths are four years.
If you’re considering running one of these seats, this interactive map will help you check your district.
Contact the Twentynine Palms City Clerk Cindy Villescas at (760) 367-6799 or cvillescas@29palms.org to make an appointment to file and get more information on completing nomination papers, collecting signatures, and filing your nomination.
TOWN OF YUCCA VALLEY, MEMBER, TOWN COUNCIL, DISTRICTS 2 AND 4
Two districts of the five-member council are up for grabs this year, currently held by Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Drozd and Mayor Robert Lombardo. One member of the council is selected annually to serve as mayor for that year by the Council members. Drozd and Lombardo have both announced their intention to run.
Yucca Valley Councilmembers will be paid $950 a month as of January 1, 2025, along with benefits and expense reimbursements. The term is four years.
This district map shows the boundaries of each council member’s area.
Candidates must file nomination papers with Yucca Valley Town Clerk Lesley Copeland at the town hall Monday through Thursday between 8 am and 5 pm.
SCHOOL BOARDS AND DISTRICTS
COPPER MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT, MEMBER, GOVERNING BOARD
Four positions on the Governing Board will be on the ballot, all with potential incumbents currently serving in areas 1, 2, 3 and 5. Areas 1, 2 and 3 have four-year terms. Area 5 is a two-year term.
The compensation is $2,880 annually plus benefits. We have not been able to verify compensation for the current terms.
Members represent specific areas, so be sure to check the map before you file or use the County District Look-Up tool. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, MEMBER, BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT E
The San Bernardino Board of Education has five members, representing districts throughout the county. The Morongo Basin is part of District E, currently served by board member Andrea De Leon.
According to the county’s website, the board’s duties cover establishing policy, adopting the annual budget, approving building plans, and dealing with student expulsion or inter-district transfer appeals. The term is four years.
The compensation is $5,961 annually plus benefits. We have not been able to verify compensation for the current term.
Use the District E map or use the County District Look-Up tool to ensure you are in District E. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, MEMBER, GOVERNING BOARD
Seats in areas 1, 2, 3 are up for election on the five-member board. The term is four years.
The compensation is $2,000 to $3,000 annually plus benefits. We have not been able to verify compensation for the current term.
Use the County District Look-Up tool to determine your district. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
WATER AGENCIES AND DISTRICTS
BIGHORN-DESERT VIEW WATER AGENCY, MEMBERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Three positions are up for grabs on the board—two are for a four-year term, one is for a two-year term. Positions are “at large,” meaning there are no districts, but candidates must be a registered voter in the area the agency serves.
If you’re wondering what the board of a water agency does, this document, Act 90, describes the responsibilities and powers of the board.
There may be a per diem, but we have not been able to verify compensation for the current term.
The Bighorn-Desert View district encompasses parts of Landers, Johnson Valley, and Flamingo Heights as shown in this map. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
There are three positions up for election on the five-person board. This is another at-large position, but candidates must live within the district’s 87-square-mile boundaries in Twentynine Palms and Desert Heights. Terms are four years.
Directors earn a $150 stipend per meeting.
Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Seats are up for election in Divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the five-member board. Generally Directors serve for a four-year term; however the Division 2 seat is a two-year term.
The compensation is $9,000 annually.
This water board elects directors by district throughout the Joshua Tree area, so check the map here for your area or use the County District Look-Up tool to determine your division. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
Note: the compensation amount was updated after publication on 7/17/24.
HI-DESERT WATER DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Divisions 2 and 4 are up for election this cycle. The term is four years. This water agency is also a special district, formed to meet the needs of the burgeoning population of Yucca Valley and neighboring unincorporated areas.
The compensation is $4,000 to $10,000 annually plus benefits. We have not been able to verify compensation for the current term.
Directors are elected by division, so check the map or use the County District Look-Up tool to determine your division. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
OTHER DISTRICTS
HI-DESERT MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Divisions 1, 2, and 3 and one at-large position are at play in 2024. The term is four years, with the at-large position being a two-year term this cycle. The Health Care District is also a special district, formed specifically to meet the healthcare needs of our rural community.
This is a volunteer Board.
The three divisions cover Yucca Valley, Homestead Valley, Morongo Valley, and adjacent unincorporated areas. Check the map for your division. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
YUCCA VALLEY AIRPORT DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Three at-large positions are open on this five-member board charged with managing airport facilities and events.
This is a volunteer board, seats at the Copper Room are not included.
Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
MORONGO VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The San Bernardino County list indicates that all five director positions are on the ballot with two seats being four-year terms and three seats being two-year terms. However, the District website differs and states that two director seats are not due for election until December 2026.
This special district is a local form of government for geographically limited areas and was created specifically to provide important services for the community, including Morongo Valley Fire Department, community events, and managing Covington Park.
This is a volunteer board.
Candidates must reside in the district. Call the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 to arrange for an appointment to file papers.
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Information for this document is compiled from Government Compensation in California, The San Bernardino County list of Offices up for Election, the web pages of the individual entities and the 2020 guide compiled by Deborah Dunaway for the Democrats of the Morongo Basin.