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

Dear Inquirer,

I hope this message finds you well. As we move from spring into summer, there are exciting things happening here in San Luis Obispo County. It also marks the start of the construction season, particularly for the road and highway improvements that are so important to our daily lives.

There are several key transportation projects currently underway, with others making important progress in the planning pipeline. Earlier this week, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Five Cities Highway 1 enhancement project, which will significantly reduce traffic congestion during peak commute hours (pictured above).

This project will add a new southbound part-time travel lane through Pismo Beach, a park-and-ride facility with EV charging stations, and a shared-use path that will eventually connect to the Bob Jones Trail. I was proud to support this much-needed investment as a Board Member of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), and I know I'm not the only one who is looking forward to a smoother drive through South County!

Elsewhere in South County, the Pier Avenue Corridor enhancement project in Oceano—featuring fresh pavement, safer crossings, new bike lanes, and improved parking—is expected to be completed within the next few weeks. And for residents in Huasna and East Arroyo Grande, Cecchetti Road has finally reopened following the installation of a temporary bridge (more on that below).

We are also seeing meaningful movement on long-term priorities. The proposed interchange at Southland Street and Highway 101 in Nipomo has been discussed since at least 1994, but has struggled to gain traction. The Board of Supervisors recently approved funding for a project initiation document, a critical step that will help make the Southland Interchange eligible for state and federal transportation funding and move it closer to becoming a reality.

Lastly, I continue to hear from many residents about congestion at Highway 1 and Halcyon Road. The County is working closely with Caltrans on a timed signal project that is under design and is expected to significantly improve traffic flow during peak hours, with construction anticipated as soon as next year.

These are just a few highlights—there is always more work underway than can fit in a single update. Maintaining safe, reliable roads is a core responsibility of County government, and I’m encouraged to see these projects advancing, with several nearing completion in the months ahead.

Yours in service, 

Jimmy Paulding 
District 4 Supervisor

With that, here’s what you’ll find in this month’s newsletter:

• The contract to build a new Sheriff Substation in Nipomo has been approved
• A temporary bridge at Cecchetti Road is now open
• A new grant program to help mobile homeowners impacted by storm damage is now accepting applications
• Opportunities to get involved in your community
• And more!

May 5 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include several land use appeals as well as proclamations honoring Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. Find the agenda here.

May 8 – Safe Haven Wellness Center Open House, 12-3pm, 203 Bridge Street, AG. Come learn about the amazing services available through Transitions-Mental Health Association.

May 16 – Oceano Airport Display Day, 10am-2pm, 561 Air Park Dr. Come see aircraft up close, meet pilots, and enjoy BBQ (hot dogs, chips, and a drink for just $5). Join us for this family friendly event and support our student career technical education program through Lucia Mar Unified School District. More information here.

May 18 – 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. Note that the May meeting has been moved to the third Monday of the month due to the Memorial Day holiday.

May 19 – Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9am, Katcho Achadjian Government Center Board Chambers. Key agenda items include the introduction of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 County Budget.  

May 25 – Memorial Day. County offices are closed as we honor those who gave their lives serving our country. Please join me and the American Legion Post 136 at the Arroyo Grande Cemetery at 11am. This year I have the honor and pleasure of being the keynote speaker. 

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.

On April 21, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Diani Construction to build a new $14,400,000 Sheriff Substation in Nipomo, a major step toward delivering a long-awaited public safety investment for South County. The project is scheduled to begin construction next year and be completed in 2028.

The new substation will significantly expand the operational capacity of the Sheriff's Office, improving response times, enhancing field operations, and strengthening service delivery to the growing community of Nipomo and the mesa. The substation will also include a community meeting room that will be available to the public. A conceptual rendering of the station is shown above.

For years, South County residents have been asking for increased public safety resources. That’s why I’ve been advocating for this project since I first came into office. We secured initial funding to start the design process in March, 2023 and funded the cost of construction in 2025.

I’m proud that we are finally delivering on this long-term vision. You can read more about the project here.

Last week, the County opened a temporary one-lane bridge at Cecchetti Road, marking a major milestone in restoring critical access for residents, farmers, and emergency services for the Huasna and East Arroyo Grande communities.

The temporary bridge replaced the low water crossing that was washed out during severe storms in January 2023, which had left the area without a vital connection for more than three years.

The permanent bridge was initially anticipated to be built as early as 2025 but has been delayed due to complex environmental regulations and permitting requirements associated with the Arroyo Grande Creek. For that reason, I secured funding for a temporary bridge last November thanks to the support of Supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson.

While the temporary bridge is in place, the County will continue advancing the permanent bridge project, which will provide a resilient, long-term crossing designed to withstand future storm events and meet all environmental and regulatory requirements. The permanent bridge is currently expected to begin construction next spring and be open by the fall of 2027. You can read more about the project here.

I want to share an important resource for residents whose manufactured or mobile homes were damaged during the winter storms in SLO County between December 2022 and January 2023.

The Manufactured Home Replacement and Elevation (MHRE) Program provides financial assistance to help replace manufactured homes in mobile home parks damaged by flooding, landslides, or mudslides. Funding is limited and applications are now being accepted, so it’s important to apply soon.

You may qualify if you:

• Owned and lived in your manufactured or mobile home as your primary residence when the storms occurred 
• Meet the program’s income guidelines
• Have a home in a mobile home park within San Luis Obispo County and have storm-related damage

Visit the MHRE website to learn more about the eligibility requirements. There is also a short eligibility questionnaire to see if you qualify before starting a full application. Learn more at slocounty.gov/MHRE. If you have questions about the program or need help applying, please call the Department of Social Services at 805-781-4634, or email HSDGrants@co.slo.ca.us.

Did you know that there are more than 200 children in foster care in SLO County? We are so grateful to the people in our community who have stepped up to serve as Resource Parents and provide safe and loving homes to children who need it—but we are always looking for more. If you’ve ever considered being a Foster Parent, reach out to our Department of Social Services by calling 805-781-1705 or visit SLOFosterCare.com.

In last's month's update, I shared about an opportunity to serve on the SLO County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Hearing Board.

APCD has extended the deadline for applications through June 1 and is now recruiting for six positions: a Public Member and Public Member Alternate, an Attorney Member and Attorney Member Alternate, a Medical Member Alternate and an Engineer Member Alternate.

The Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that considers requests from regulated industries, including variances from air quality rules and orders related to public nuisance concerns. It plays a key role in ensuring that air quality regulations are applied fairly while protecting public health.

If you were considering applying have not done so already, I encourage you to do so!

To learn more or request an application, visit slocleanair.org or contact the APCD Clerk of the Board at 805-781-5912 or boardclerk@slocleanair.org. Appointments will be made at the June 17 APCD meeting.

The First 5 San Luis Obispo County Commission is seeking two Community At-Large representatives. First 5 is a public agency responsible for allocating approximately $1.4 million dollars in funding each year toward system improvements and equitable access to quality services that support the health and early development of children prenatal to age 5.

Commissioners review and approve financial plans, develop and approve strategic plans, approve community contracts and review program & community outcomes. The First 5 Commission typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month in January, March, May, June, September, October and the first Wednesday of the month in December. Meetings run from 3:00-5:30pm. 

Three seats on the 9-member Commission are designated for At-Large representatives with professional or personal/lived experience in early childhood. The two vacancies are each three-year terms beginning Summer 2026.

More details about the Commission are available here and an online application can be found here. 

The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 14. For additional info, contact First 5 Associate Director Jason Wells at (805) 781-4058 or jwells@first5slo.org.

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