Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
SLO County board approves REACH funding but splits over extra $200,000 study
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved the county's continuing funding for REACH but divided over an added $200,000 for an economic baseline study of unincorporated areas. Supervisor Gibson called the $200,000 premature and vague; the motion to adopt staff's recommendation passed in a roll-call vote with Gibson dissenting.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted Feb. 10 to approve continued funding for REACH while sparring over an additional $200,000 earmarked for an economic baseline report focused on unincorporated communities.
Supervisor Bruce Gibson was the most pointed critic, questioning the scope and timing of the extra payment. "I don't believe the scoping on that is anywhere close to adequate," Gibson said during deliberations, adding that the county has already provided REACH with substantial funding over recent years and that the proposed scope lacked hourly rates or measurable deliverables.
Supporters of the added contract funds said the baseline study would pull together existing research, identify opportunities in unincorporated areas and help the county prepare for a future update of the economic element of the general plan. "We're contracting with them specifically to say, hey, look at our unincorporated areas, do a SWOT analysis, and let's see where the opportunities lie," Supervisor Moreno said.
Chairperson Paulding moved staff's recommendation with added direction that staff return with a review of the county's economic development element and that REACH coordinate with supervisors and planning staff as the work proceeds. Supervisor Gibson cast the lone dissent on the roll call. The board approved the remainder of the consent agenda and the REACH funding action in subsequent votes.
Why it matters: The extra $200,000 would come on top of roughly $300,000 the county already allocates regularly to REACH, and supervisors warned that funding choices now could limit infrastructure funds earmarked for other projects. Proponents argued an updated dataset and focused outreach will produce actionable short-term opportunities for unincorporated communities while feeding longer-term planning work.
What comes next: Staff will refine the scope and return to the board with a report that ties the REACH deliverable to the economic element review and any recommended next steps.
Vote and motion: Chairperson Paulding moved and a second was recorded; roll-call showed Paulding Yes, Moreno Yes, Pashong Yes, Gibson No, Ortiz Lake Yes.
