Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Luis Obispo County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in taxes budget with medium priority
Solid waste rate increases
Trash bills go up 3.3% in the north county and 3.5% on the coast and south county starting January 1, 2027, per CPI formulas.
Election costs and voting equipment
The Clerk-Recorder will use $150,000 in one-time state election funding to buy and outfit a 'vote mobile' for voter outreach, ballot collection, and pop-up clerk services — though some supervisors questioned whether a vehicle was the best use.
Medi-Cal Coverage Change Outreach
Supervisor Ortiz-Legg reported CenCal Health is planning November public outreach events to warn residents their Medi-Cal coverage may change.
Paso Robles JPA Tax Billing Dispute
A resident alleged a Paso Robles-area JPA submitted a $1.1 million budget to bill about 950 parcels despite its formation agreement terminating it on June 30, 2026 for lack of fees; the billing is slated for a September 1 Board meeting.
Oceano Airport spending controversy
Oceano residents April Dury and Julie Tacker accused the Airports Department of wasting roughly $166,500 on a three-hour 'Cleared for Cheer' holiday party instead of the community engagement plan promised, and demanded a full investigation including possible misuse of public funds.
Trust and Special Accounts Transparency
The county holds about $380 million in 789 trust and special accounts, most legally restricted. Cleanup actions and an annual transparency push will surface them in the budget book.
Planning and Building fee increases with 30% soft cap
Permit fees go up for FY 2026-27, but the Board added a guardrail: a one-year pilot capping real-time billing fee jumps at 30% above cost, with early warning conversations and tracking of how long applications actually take.
Buena Vista Mobilehome Park rent hardship appeal
The park asked the Board to overturn the rent board's denial of its hardship application; the Board said no, and the park didn't even show up. Residents' rent protections under the county's rent review system were upheld.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan
The Board adopted its five-year plan for county buildings and infrastructure projects and declared it consistent with the General Plan.
County 2026 legislative platform
Supervisors set the county's state and federal lobbying priorities, including insurance market stabilization, Medicare rural reimbursement, and appeals of CAL FIRE hazard zone maps — a battery storage local-control plank failed to win majority support.