Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Big Bear Lake City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council District 2
1 seat- Kara FlietstraSmall business owner who opened Dank Donuts and The Moonridge Room in Big Bear Lake. She describes herself as a small business owner, employer, volunteer and neighbor.5sourced
- Sonia IbarraRetired school administrator who worked 37 years as a teacher and administrator. She holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Stanford University and is a member of the local Rotary club.5sourced
City Council District 3
1 seat- Michael BeveridgeBusiness owner who has lived in Big Bear Lake since 1988, when he purchased Honey Bear Lodge. Since 2002 he has worked with the city and county to remodel homes.6sourced
- Ernie MendozaRetired police detective, military veteran and current Big Bear Lake planning commissioner. He also coaches high school football and softball.6sourced
City Council District 4
1 seat- Suzy GilleonBig Bear Lake homeowner since 2011 whose family has deep generational roots in Big Bear. Her experience includes managing presidential conventions, major corporate events and a family law practice.4sourced
- Cody LewisManufacturing engineer who moved to Big Bear Lake in 2019 and works remotely from his home there. He is secretary of Bear Valley Search and Rescue and serves on the city's General Plan Advisory Committee.6sourced
Voters in Districts 2, 3 and 4 each choose one council member; Districts 1 and 5 are not on the ballot this year.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Xavier Becerra · Democratic
- Steve Hilton · Republican
- Also statewideLieutenant Governor · Secretary of State · Controller · Treasurer · Attorney General · Insurance Commissioner · Superintendent of Public Instruction · Board of Equalization Member
- Statewide measures14 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Fire service transition4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city's Fire Protection District decided in April 2026 to leave the Big Bear Fire Authority and seek a contract with San Bernardino County Fire, expected to start July 1, 2027.
What's on the tableThe council, which also sits as the Fire Protection District board, will oversee the end of the fire authority and the County Fire contract.
- On April 29, 2026, the Fire Protection District decided to dissolve the joint powers agreement that created the Big Bear Fire Authority and seek contract services with San Bernardino County Fire. City of Big Bear Lake press release · Jun 30, 2026
- The district chose the County's Option C, which would activate the Moonridge and Boulder Bay stations in addition to Station 281. City of Big Bear Lake press release · Jun 30, 2026
- The transition to San Bernardino County Fire is expected to begin July 1, 2027. City of Big Bear Lake press release · Apr 30, 2026
- The city says the County contract is within the district's budget and will not increase property taxes. City of Big Bear Lake press release · Jun 30, 2026
02Replenish Big Bear2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a resolution supporting the regional wastewater agency's Replenish Big Bear Program in August 2026 by a 4-1 vote.
What's on the tableWhether the city keeps backing Replenish Big Bear as the regional agency moves ahead with its projects.
- On August 12, 2026, the council voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution supporting the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency's Replenish Big Bear Program; Councilmember Hicks voted no. City of Big Bear Lake · Aug 12, 2026
- The Greenspot Recharge Project, a proposed part of Replenish Big Bear, would send purified water from the agency's treatment plant to new recharge basins in the Erwin Lake area. Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency
03Department of Water and Power board2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council voted 3-2 to ask staff for more information on the council's authority over the DWP board under the City Charter.
What's on the tableWhether to change the City Charter and move the DWP board's duties to the City Council.
- On August 12, 2026, Councilmember Hicks asked for a staff presentation on the process to change the City Charter so the DWP board is dissolved and its duties transfer to the City Council. City of Big Bear Lake · Aug 12, 2026
- On September 9, 2026, the council voted 3-2 to direct staff to report on the council's authority over the DWP board under the current Charter; Rick Herrick and Randall Putz voted no. City of Big Bear Lake · Sep 9, 2026
04Trash drop-off site4 sourced facts
Where it standsNeighbors objected in late 2025 after the city began clearing two city-owned lots near Lark and Cienega roads.
What's on the tableWhere the city's resident trash drop-off service is located and how the solid waste contract is managed.
- In October 2025, the city began clearing and grading two city-owned lots near Lark and Cienega roads, next to a residential neighborhood. San Bernardino County Sentinel · Oct 31, 2025
- A city official told a resident in October 2025 that the property was being prepared for use as a temporary staging area. San Bernardino County Sentinel · Oct 31, 2025
- Neighbors objected that the site could replace the Clean Bear Site #2 drop-off location on Big Bear Boulevard. San Bernardino County Sentinel · Oct 31, 2025
- On June 10, 2026, the council voted 5-0 to approve solid waste rate adjustments for Big Bear Disposal from fiscal year 2026-27 through 2030-31. City of Big Bear Lake · Jun 10, 2026
05General Plan and Village parking4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city began a three-year update of its General Plan and Development Code in 2026 and is building a Village parking lot extension.
What's on the tableHow much and how fast Big Bear Lake grows under the new General Plan, and what the city spends on Village parking and property.
- At a March 10, 2026 joint meeting, city staff and consultants presented a three-year process to update the General Plan and Development Code. City of Big Bear Lake · Mar 10, 2026
- On February 3, 2026, the council voted 5-0 to expand the full-time resident category of the General Plan Advisory Committee, keeping it at 17 members. City of Big Bear Lake · Feb 3, 2026
- The Bartlett Parking Lot Extension adds 134 parking spaces in the Village Specific Plan area. City of Big Bear Lake · Apr 15, 2026
- On July 8, 2026, the council voted 3-1 to award a construction contract of up to $2,954,302 for the Bartlett Parking Lot Extension. City of Big Bear Lake · Jul 8, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Incumbents Rick Herrick (District 2), Randall Putz (District 3) and Perri Melnick (District 4) are not running for reelection, so all three seats on the ballot are open. San Bernardino County Sentinel · Aug 7, 2026
Michael Beveridge and Ernie Mendoza both serve on the city's Planning Commission. City of Big Bear Lake
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. Should Big Bear Lake support the regional Replenish Big Bear water program?
2. Should the City Council take over the duties of the Department of Water and Power board?
3. Should the city put a trash drop-off site on its lots near Cienega Road?
4. Should the city spend money to add public parking in the Village?
5. How fast should Big Bear Lake allow new development as it updates its General Plan?
Key dates
- Mail ballots go out and early voting beginsSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionOct 5, 2026
- Voter registration deadlineSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
- Election DaySan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Charles Hicks, Jr., Kendi Segovia3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The Big Bear Lake City Council has five members, including four councilmembers and a mayor. City of Big Bear Lake
- All council members are elected by district, and the council appoints the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem each year. City of Big Bear Lake
- Council terms are four years and begin at the first meeting in December of the election year. City of Big Bear Lake
- The city began electing its council by district under Ordinance No. 2018-459, adopted in 2018. City of Big Bear Lake
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