By CHRISTINA GALLOWAY
February 5 Edition
Transportation funding challenges are growing statewide, and locally, questions about how transportation systems are maintained and improved are increasingly coming into focus. In communities like Cambria, where growth is limited or nonexistent, there are fewer opportunities to generate transportation funding through development-related fees.
Existing transportation funding is not sufficient to meet long-term needs in San Luis Obispo County. It is estimated to require about $5.4 billion in transportation investments over the next 23 years, while only $3.1 billion in funding is anticipated, leaving a projected gap of $2.3 billion. That gap affects both large regional projects and everyday priorities, such as fixing potholes and drainage, improving safety, and ensuring reliable transit.
In response, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments is developing a transportation funding proposal known as Local Roads First, which is currently in draft form and open to public feedback.
Local Roads First would allow San Luis Obispo County to become a “Self-Help County”.
Self-Help Counties fund transportation improvements through voter-approved local sales taxes. These funds are restricted to transportation purposes and remain under local control. Having a dedicated local funding source can also improve a county’s ability to compete for state and federal transportation grants by providing required matching funds.
SLOCOG is exploring whether to place a one half of one percent transaction and use tax on the November 2026 ballot, depending on further refinement and public input. At this stage, SLOCOG is gathering input from communities throughout the County to better understand local transportation priorities, needs, and concerns, including how this transportation funding could be distributed across various areas and how unincorporated communities are reflected in a countywide plan.
Under the current draft framework, Local Roads First would:
–Add .5 percent per dollar to taxable purchases made within the County
–Require that all revenue stay local and be used only for transportation
–Direct at least 99% of funds to transportation projects
Because the tax would apply countywide, residents and visitors would contribute to funding the transportation system they use.
Local Roads First is still being shaped. No final expenditure plan has been adopted, and decisions about priorities have not been finalized. For Cambria residents, this is an opportunity to engage early, before any measure is finalized or presented to voters.
This information was presented and discussed publicly at a series of North Coast Advisory Council meetings. NCAC has submitted comments on the upcoming draft update and will continue to review future revisions as they are released.
Community members interested in learning more or participating are encouraged to attend an NCAC or SLOCOG meeting or reach out for additional information. NCAC meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month by Zoom and are open to the public. The link to the meeting can be found at: HOME | NCAC.
For more information about Local Roads First, or to share comments or feedback please go to: Local Roads First | SLO County | San Luis Obispo County, CA, USA
