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Supervisors direct staff to pursue public‑safety sales‑tax options to shore up local policing and fire staffing
Summary
After presentations from the sheriff, fire chiefs and administrative staff, the board directed staff to develop options for a district sales tax (1% example) to fund unincorporated‑area public safety and return with polling and implementation steps.
San Luis Obispo County supervisors directed staff to advance analysis and public outreach on a district sales tax to raise dedicated revenue for public safety in unincorporated areas, after hearing from law enforcement, fire chiefs and county administrative staff about staffing shortfalls.
What the board asked staff to do: County staff recommended a district transaction and use tax targeted to the county’s unincorporated area as the most viable funding option to generate sustainable revenue; modeling by the county’s tax consultant estimated a 1 percentage‑point district tax could raise roughly $22 million annually. The board asked staff to proceed with community polling, draft ballot language, communications and legal analyses and return with options for a November 2026 ballot (deadlines noted by staff).
Why it matters: Officials and public safety…
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