Read updates from your County government, including important projects and events in your community.

Breaking news - $1.8 million has been secured for new park and trail projects in Nipomo! See below for details.

Dear Inquirer,

One of my favorite parts of serving as your County Supervisor is getting out into the community and working alongside the people who make South County such a special place.

In mid September, I joined my mom, Sue, my sister, Katie, and dozens of volunteers at the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee in Oceano for the 21st Annual Creeks to Coast Cleanup Day (pictured above). Together, we removed more than a ton of trash from the levee—helping protect our local creeks and waterways ahead of the rainy season. Countywide, more than 1,000 volunteers came together at 35 sites. I’m grateful to ECOSLO and everyone who made this annual effort possible.

Next up, I hope you’ll join me for another opportunity to give back at our 4th Annual We ❤ Nipomo volunteer day on Saturday, October 10. We have nine projects planned throughout the community, with opportunities for volunteers of all ages and abilities (sign up here). You can find more details later in this newsletter.

These events are a great reminder of how much we can accomplish when neighbors come together and take pride in the communities we call home. I hope to see you out there!

Yours in service, 

Jimmy Paulding 
District 4 Supervisor

• Nipomo Community Plan draft coming October 23 + November 8 community workshop
• $1.8 million secured for Jim Miller Park and the Nipomo Community Park perimeter trail & County explores partnership with the YMCA to build a new community center
• New El Niño preparedness resources and emergency alert information
• Arroyo Grande Library remodel update and Biddle Park gazebo project moves forward
• Nipomo Rotary gives the Tefft Street medians a much-needed refresh
• Key upcoming meetings and events, highlights from last month, and more! 

The draft update to the Nipomo Community Plan is almost here. Beginning October 23, the community will have an opportunity to review the draft plan and help shape the future of Nipomo.

The Nipomo Community Plan is the County’s primary long-range planning document for the community, guiding decisions about transportation, parks and recreation, housing, public services, community facilities, and more. The current plan was last updated in 1994, and last year our Planning and Building Department began a comprehensive update to make sure it reflects Nipomo’s needs and priorities today and into the future.

Community input has been central to this process. Over the past 18 months, we have held three community workshops and two public surveys to hear directly from Nipomo residents about what they want to see in their community. Some of the priorities we heard most consistently include traffic and circulation improvements, safer and more connected bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, improvements to parks and recreation, and a new community center.

The draft plan addresses each of these priorities and, importantly, includes strategies for how future improvements could be funded and implemented. I’m excited for the community to see the work that has been done so far, but the process is not finished. The release of the draft begins another important opportunity for you to weigh in before the plan moves forward.

Key Dates

• Draft Plan Public Review & Comment Period: October 23 – November 30
• Community Workshop: Sunday, November 8, 2–4 p.m. at Nipomo High School’s Olympic Hall
• South County Advisory Council Presentation: Monday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dana Adobe Cultural Center (tentative; meeting date will be confirmed soon)

Whether you attend the community workshop, participate in the South County Advisory Council meeting, or submit comments online, I highly encourage you to take a look at the draft and share your feedback.

Following the public review period, County staff will consider the comments received and prepare an updated draft plan for review and potential adoption by the Board of Supervisors, anticipated in spring 2027.

Visit slocounty.ca.gov/NipomoUpdate for more information about the process and to view and comment on the draft plan starting October 23. 

There is a lot of exciting momentum around parks and recreation in Nipomo. For years, residents have asked for more places to gather, recreate, walk, bike, and connect as a community. This month, I’m excited to share three major steps forward on projects the community has been advocating for.

$1 Million for Jim Miller Park in Olde Towne Nipomo

We recently secured $1 million in state funding to help bring the vision for Jim Miller Park to life in the heart of Olde Towne Nipomo. This project has been talked about for years, and I’m grateful to Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón for working with us to secure this critical investment. The funding gives us a real opportunity to transform this County-owned property into a welcoming community space and create another catalyst for the revitalization of Olde Towne. Read more here. Note the AI generated conceptual rendering above is based on preliminary design plans that are subject to change. 

$800,000 for the Nipomo Community Park Perimeter Trail

Senator Limón also secured $800,000 to begin the first phase of the long-planned multi-use perimeter trail at Nipomo Community Park. This initial phase is currently contemplated to focus on the Osage Street connection, helping create a safer route for students and families walking and biking near Dorothea Lange and Dana Elementary schools while beginning construction of the larger trail envisioned in the park’s master plan. It’s an important first step toward completing a trail that will eventually loop around the park and better connect it with the surrounding community. Read more here.

Exploring a Partnership to Build a Nipomo Community Center

Finally, on September 1, the Board of Supervisors gave formal direction to begin exploring a potential partnership with the Channel Islands YMCA to develop a new community and recreation center in Nipomo. The YMCA has identified Nipomo as a priority community for expansion, creating an exciting opportunity to explore a public-private partnership. Under the concept being discussed, the County could provide land for the facility while the YMCA would lead a capital fundraising campaign to construct the center and ultimately operate it.

A community center has consistently been one of the priorities we hear from Nipomo residents, and there is still a lot of work ahead to determine whether this partnership is feasible. But taken together, these three announcements represent meaningful progress toward expanding the parks, trails, gathering spaces, and recreational opportunities our growing community deserves.

Our fourth annual We ❤ Nipomo community service day is almost here! Join me and your neighbors on Saturday, October 10 at 9am as we roll up our sleeves and give back to the community we all care about.

This year, we’re expanding our efforts with nine volunteer projects at Nipomo Community Park and throughout the surrounding community. There are projects for a variety of ages, interests, and abilities, so find one that works for you and come lend a hand!

Choose your volunteer project:

• Library Mulching & Planting Project
• Olde Towne Refresh
• Rehab Bollards
• Restore Picnic Tables
• Trash Pickup Around the Park
• Tree Mulching Project
• Volleyball Court Weeding
• Weeding Around the Skate Park and Ballfields
• Workday at Nipomo Native Garden

We ❤ Nipomo is not only about beautifying our community, it’s also about working together as neighbors to make a visible difference in this incredible place we are proud to call home. I hope you’ll join us!

We ❤ Nipomo
Saturday, October 10 | 9am

Meet at the Nipomo Community Park Gazebo

Sign up for a volunteer project here

Preparing for El Niño

Last month, I shared a comprehensive update on El Niño storm preparedness, including what the County is doing to prepare and steps you can take now to protect your family and property. Since then, we’ve launched a new El Niño preparedness page at ReadySLO.org/elnino, bringing important information and resources together in one place. I also strongly encourage you to sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSLO.org so you can receive timely information and instructions when severe weather or other emergencies affect your community.

Planning Our Water Future

On September 1, the Board of Supervisors received an update on our DESAL Plan to explore building a desalination plant in SLO County. A recent feasibility study identified five potential coastal sites for a future desalination facility, including two in South County: the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District wastewater treatment plant in Oceano and the retired Phillips 66 oil refinery near Nipomo. Desalination could provide a reliable, drought-resistant water supply, but it is also expensive to build and operate, and our County’s geography would require many miles of new pipelines to deliver that water to communities that need it. For these reasons, the Board discussed continuing to pursue desalination as a long-term strategy while also investing regionally in more cost-effective options, including recycled water, maximizing our State Water allocations, and groundwater storage. The Tribune has a helpful overview of the discussion and next steps.

AG Library Remodel Update

Construction is moving forward on the $6.4 million renovation of the Arroyo Grande Library, with reopening currently anticipated for spring 2027. This is the first major renovation of the library since it opened in 1979 and will include an expanded building footprint, dedicated community rooms, a larger and completely reimagined children’s area, remodeled ADA-accessible restrooms, a new HVAC and fire suppression system, and refreshed outdoor spaces. I'm also pleased that the project will create a dedicated office and entrance for Veterans Services, allowing it to operate independently from library hours—something I advocated for during the design phase. While many of us who love the library are understandably frustrated about the prolonged closure, I am confident that the renovated space will be well worth the wait! You can read more about the remodel project here.

Biddle Park Gazebo Improvements Underway

Construction is underway on a new gazebo and pathway improvements at Biddle Regional Park. The project will replace the park’s aging gazebo and add new picnic tables, a barbecue facility, and accessible pathways, with completion expected in November. This project is especially meaningful because Kendra and I had our wedding reception at Biddle Park, and I know it has been the backdrop for many other special moments in our community over the years. I’m excited to see this well-loved gathering place refreshed so families and visitors can continue enjoying it for years to come.

Tefft Medians Get a Refresh Thanks to the Nipomo Rotary

A big thank you to the Rotary Club of Nipomo for stepping up to beautify the medians along West Tefft Street near Pomeroy Road! Rotary volunteers recently cleaned up the medians and spread fresh bark, giving this busy gateway through Nipomo a much-needed refresh. Maintenance of these medians has been a challenge ever since they were built, so I’m incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club for recognizing the need and taking this project on. It’s a great example of local volunteers pitching in to make Nipomo an even better place to call home. Read more in this KEYT story.

Friends of the Nipomo Library Newsletter

The Friends of the Nipomo Library publishes a monthly newsletter, Library Link, publicizing Nipomo Library programs, Friends events, and information about the SLO County library system. You can check out there September newsletter here and view their archive from the past 12 months at friendsofnipomolibrary.org/newsletter.  

City of Arroyo Grande Newsletter

Stay connected with all the latest news, events, and updates from the City of Arroyo Grande by checking out the latest quarterly edition of the Arroyo Grande Gazette. The September 2026 newsletter is available now. 

Inquirer, want to make sure you receive all of my email updates? Sign up with your email below.

On September 1, the Board of Supervisors recognized National Service Dog Month with a proclamation highlighting the important role service dogs play in supporting people with disabilities. More than 70 million adults and children in the United States live with a disability, yet there are only about 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs nationwide. We’re fortunate to have nonprofit organizations like Canine Companions that provide expertly trained service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities at no cost. The next time you see a service dog in training, consider thanking the volunteer puppy raiser or trainer who is helping prepare them for this important work—and remember to always ask before petting a working or training service dog!

It was great to join the South County Chambers of Commerce for their Rise & Shine event in early September and share updates on some of the work happening across our community. I discussed the County’s DESAL Plan, opportunities to revitalize Olde Towne Nipomo, upcoming community events, and other local priorities. These events are always a valuable opportunity to connect directly with our South County business community, hear what’s on their minds, and keep them informed about the issues and projects that may impact them.

October 3 – AG Creek Restoration Project, 8am-noon, meet at Centennial Park near the swingin bridge in AG. Join the SLO Beaver Brigade, Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District, and the City of Arroyo Grande for a morning of learning, hands-on training, and invasive species removal along Arroyo Grande Creek. Learn more here.

October 6 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include the Annual Crop Report; water planning for “Zone 3” South County communities including Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, and Avila Beach (moved from Sept 29); and proclamations recognizing Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. 

October 10 – We ❤ Nipomo, 9am, Nipomo Community Park. More details included above.

October 20 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include a Fiscal Year 2027-28 financial forecast, the potential formation of a Fire Appeals Board (rescheduled from August 18),  and the annual report from Visit SLOCAL.

October 23 – Draft Nipomo Community Plan released. Visit slocounty.ca.gov/NipomoUpdate for more information. Plan will be accepting public comment until November 30. 

October 26 – South County Advisory Council Meeting, 6:30pm, Dana Adobe Cultural Center. This is a great opportunity for you to weigh in on land use decisions in the AG Mesa/Nipomo area. Learn more at scac.ca.gov.

November 3 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. 

November 8 – Nipomo Community Plan workshop, 2-4pm, Nipomo High School's Olympic Hall. More details at slocounty.ca.gov/NipomoUpdate.

Please note that anticipated Board agenda items are subject to change. Always be sure to check the posted agenda at slocounty.ca.gov to confirm if an item will be discussed at the next meeting. Agendas are usually published the Wednesday prior to each Board meeting.

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