05/11/2026
San Bernardino County Controller Ensen Mason Speaks Out on Transparency, Accountability, and Fiscal Responsibility
Last night at the California Republican Assembly – Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County Controller Ensen Mason delivered a candid and eye-opening presentation on how county government operates—and why transparency matters now more than ever.
Mason began by explaining the critical role of his office, which oversees billions in public funds:
Manages a $17 billion investment pool
Generates $800 million annually—funding services without raising taxes
Processes payroll for 23,000 county employees
Collects $5 billion in property taxes across 900,000 parcels
Supports 640 public agencies throughout the county
“This is how people get paid. If this office fails, everything fails,” Mason emphasized.
⚠️ Concerns Raised
Mason shifted to what he described as deeper concerns about how decisions are made behind the scenes:
Influence of large political contributions
Use of slate mailers that appear independent but are paid placements
Lack of transparency in financial disclosures
Decisions being made before public votes occur
“If you're writing checks for $10,000 to multiple candidates… you're not making a contribution—you’re making an investment,” Mason stated.
💰 The Key Issue: Unfunded Liabilities
A major focus of the discussion was a proposed post-retirement healthcare benefit (OPEB), which Mason says could create multi-billion dollar liabilities if not properly disclosed.
According to Mason:
Benefits are being promised without adequate funding
The liability may not be fully reflected in financial statements
This could impact the county’s credit rating and borrowing ability
Long-term risk could fall on taxpayers and employees
“My job is not to decide benefits—it’s to report them accurately,” Mason said.
🗳️ A Different Kind of Campaign
Mason also highlighted his approach to re-election:
No campaign contributions accepted
No slate mailers
Self-funded campaign
Focus on transparency and public access to information
He announced plans for a new website that will allow residents to review public records and financial data in one place.
📢 Final Message
Mason closed with a reminder that government accountability ultimately depends on public awareness:
“Most of this information is public—but people don’t know where to find it or how to connect the dots. That’s what I’m trying to change.”
👉 What are your thoughts? Should more public officials be this transparent?
