# Adelanto (local, San Bernardino County)

URL: https://www.californiapeople.org/local/adelanto

- title: Adelanto
- type: city
- jurisdiction: City of Adelanto
- region: High Desert

## Key findings
- **Measure P** is a permanent **1-cent sales tax**, about **$3M a year** for the general fund, with an annual independent audit. The city says it has **one fire station covering 55 square miles** and more than **$100M in unfunded street projects**. [^1][^2]
- **History matters here.** Former Mayor Richard Kerr was sentenced in 2023 to 14 months in federal prison for taking more than **$57,000 in cannabis-related bribes**. Former Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright got **5 years** in 2022 for bribery and attempted arson. [^3][^4]
- Voters rejected a vacant-land parcel tax in March 2024 (**34.8% yes**; it needed two-thirds). Adelanto has the **lowest per-capita income** in the county, $17,799. [^5]
- **Mayor:** incumbent **Gabriel Reyes** faces Councilmember **Stevevonna Evans** and **Ronald Beard**. The live issue is a proposal to zone large parts of the city for **data centers**, which the Planning Commission rejected 3–2 in August after **47 of 59 speakers** opposed it. [^6][^7]

## Measure P: One-cent sales tax for the general fund
**What it does:** 1% sales and use tax starting April 1, 2027, with no end date. It's a general tax, so the money can go to any city purpose; the city lists streets, storm drains, parks, fire and paramedics, policing and homelessness. A CPA audits it every year and the results are posted online. Groceries, prescriptions and diapers are exempt. [^1][^2]

**Track record**
| Year | Revenue attempt | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ~2016–2018 | Courting cannabis businesses as a revenue base | 2+ dozen operations; the Sentinel reports little tax collected; two officials later convicted of bribery |
| Mar 2024 | Measure U vacant-land parcel tax (~$6.2M/yr, 20 years) | Failed, 34.8% yes |
| **2026** | **Measure P** 1-cent sales tax | ~$3M a year |
[^6][^4][^1]

**Money and conflicts:** The Yes argument names no signers. I found no organized opposition filing. [^2]

**Does it solve a lasting problem?** The service gaps are real. But in a city with this history, the annual audit is the main safeguard, and it's a city-hired CPA reporting to the council, not an independent citizens' committee.

## Mayor
### Gabriel Reyes (incumbent)
- **Key findings:** Current mayor. After the Planning Commission rejected the data-center zoning, he called for removing its chair, who had voted for it. [^6]

### Stevevonna Evans (councilmember)
- Sitting councilmember running against Reyes. Evans wants the planning commission chair removed from the commission entirely. [^6]

### Ronald Beard
- I found no independent reporting on this candidate. [^7]

## City Council (two seats)
GoodParty lists these candidates; its list may be incomplete, so check your sample ballot.

### Angelo Meza (incumbent)
- Current councilmember. [^6][^7]

### Amanda Uptergrove (incumbent)
- Current councilmember. [^6][^7]

### Jayshawn Johnson
- Planning commissioner who **voted against** recommending the data-center zoning in August 2026. [^6]

### Edward C. Reyes
- Filed for council, per the SB County Sentinel's list at the close of filing. I found no independent reporting on this candidate. [^6]

### Taisha Brown
- Filed for council, per the same list. I found no independent reporting on this candidate. [^6]

## Sources
[^1]: City Attorney, Measure P impartial analysis. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofAdelanto/IA_CityofAdelanto.pdf
[^2]: Measure P argument in favor. https://uploads.rov.sbcounty.gov/ROV/Elections/2026/1103/Measures/CityofAdelanto/AIF_CityofAdelanto.pdf
[^3]: Ganjapreneur, Kerr sentenced (Aug 2023). https://ganjapreneur.com/former-adelanto-california-mayor-sentenced-to-14-months-for-cannabis-related-bribes/
[^4]: U.S. Attorney's Office, Wright sentenced (Oct 3, 2022). https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-adelanto-mayor-pro-tem-sentenced-5-years-prison-accepting-bribe-and-attempting
[^5]: SB County Sentinel, parcel tax rejected (Mar 2024). https://sbcsentinel.com/2024/03/unknown-actor-or-actors/
[^6]: SB County Sentinel, mayoral and council match-ups (Aug 7, 2026). https://sbcsentinel.com/2026/08/more-clarity-on-november-mayoral-and-city-council-match-ups/
[^7]: GoodParty, Adelanto mayor candidates. https://goodparty.org/elections/ca/san-bernardino-county/adelanto/position/city-executive-mayor/candidates
[^8]: SB County Sentinel, data center zones (Aug 2026). https://sbcsentinel.com/2026/08/resident-mistrust-of-city-council-at-a-fever-pitch-as-adelanto-mulls-data-center-zones/
[^9]: GoodParty, Adelanto council candidates. https://goodparty.org/elections/ca/san-bernardino-county/adelanto/position/city-legislature/candidates