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Board restores Martha's Place funding; public health clinic realignments draw concern from North County residents
Summary
Staff proposed multiple public health realignments including consolidation or closure of several clinics; the board directed restoration of Martha's Place assessment center funding while public commenters and supervisors pressed for assurances that Paso Robles family planning services would remain accessible.
San Luis Obispo County staff recommended a suite of changes to public health and behavioral health as part of the FY25–26 rebalancing that would reduce general fund support while preserving core mandates.
Sarah Hader, administrative analyst for Public Health, said the fund center's recommended budget decreased by roughly $3.6 million and included elimination or consolidation of several clinics: the family planning clinic in Paso Robles, a Grover Beach communicable disease clinic consolidation into San Luis Obispo, and closures or consolidations of multiple WIC clinic locations with services shifted to other sites. Hader said the department would continue operational reviews and monitor impacts.
"The rebalancing also includes the recommended closure of the family planning clinic in Paso Robles where similar services are available through the community health centers of the Central Coast," Hader said. She also noted staff planned a transition plan and that Martha's Place assessment center funding was recommended to be restored in the supplemental budget per board direction.
Public comment was robust on the Paso Robles clinic. Monica Schechter and Amy Salas presented petitions — the transcript shows at least 660 signatures delivered, rising to more than 700 during the hearing — urging the board to revise the budget to retain Paso Robles family planning services. "Closing this clinic would not only take away vital services, it would send a troubling message that equitable access to reproductive health care in North County is not a priority," Schechter said.
County health leadership said they received a letter from the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast committing to provide the suite of family planning services and pledged to monitor transfer of care. Nick Jurius, director of the Health Agency, said staff would track access and coordinate transitions so patients are served.
The board directed staff to restore Martha's Place funding and to develop a one‑year transition plan (with a suggested $1 million transitional grant program to support nonprofit partners) and to earmark up to $2.5 million for homeless services conditioned on city participation. Supervisors also asked for assurances and monitoring metrics for Paso Robles service transfers.
