San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
Final Transportation Expenditure Plan for Potential Transportation Sales Tax Measure Overview
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG)
• Transportation planning and funding (State & Federal) for the region
• Provides funding for public transit services, highway and roadway improvements
• Prepares the Regional Housing Needs Allocation & the
Sustainable Communities Strategy
Overview
SLOCOG is evaluating potential regional sales tax measure • ½-cent countywide for transportation
• November 2026 ballot
• 12/16/25: Council provided input on Draft Transportation Expenditure Plan • 2/4/26: Draft Transportation Expenditure Plan (based upon stakeholder input) is approved by SLOCOG Board • Currently seeking approval of expenditure plan from each City/County:
◦ Arroyo Grande - Approved
◦ Atascadero - Approved
Leveraging Sales Tax Revenues
Direct Allocation to City: $2.1 m illion /an n ually:
• Accelerate local road repair program = 13% ± increase in annual funding • $350 million deferred maintenance
Region al Allocation to North Coun ty: $4.9 m illion /an n ually (com petitive) • Leverage state/federal funds for major transportation projects ◦ SR 46 E/Union Road
◦ SR 46 E @ US 101
◦ SR 46 W @ US 101
Consideration of SLOCOG Board Approved
Transportation Expenditure Plan
Presentation to the City of Paso Robles
3-3-26
The Solution: Central Coast Counties
Currently, 25 Counties (89% of
Californians) HAVE a Voterapproved Transportation Tax
Region Collected
(’16-pres)
Grants
Won
Santa Cruz $196M $350M
Monterey $277M $227M
Santa Barbara $458M $759M
SLO $0 $0
Lost out on $270M $430M
7 8
Approved San Luis Obispo County Transportation Expenditure Plan .5% Sales tax generates ~ $35,000,000
9 Approved Expenditure Plan Modifications from Draft
1. Section III: Unincorporated communities (Local Funds): Single County pot changed to County funds shall be distributed equally by Supervisorial District over the life of the measure as monitored and reported by the Citizens Oversight Committee
2. Section III: Regional Funds changed to add: over the life of the measure as monitored and reported by the Oversight Committee.
3. Section V: MOE added clarification language and added 2FYs to the review period: 2021/22, 2022/23 changing the period from three FYs to five.
4. Section VI. –G: applies to Regional projects only.
5. Section VI. –I: changed to 2x per programming cycle from 2x per year.
6. Section VII: 5-year Performance Assessments changed from 3-year.
7. Section IX: Added Implementation Guidelines to be developed after election.
Have no impact on: housing, groceries, utilities,
services, or prescription medicine.
Raise $35m / year ($1B)
Potential Leverage $1B-$1.5B from State/Fed
Protected from Sacramento
Funds are limited to our Transportation Only as a
special tax
Visitors also contribute/pay
Speed up project delivery (reducing cost) ensuring
more improvements are made
10 ½ cent sales tax in San Luis Obispo Region would:
Jurisdictions Consider Approval of Plan
Feb. 24: Arroyo Grande, Atascadero
Mar. 3: Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo
Mar. 9: Grover Beach
Mar. 10: Morro Bay
Mar. 24: San Luis Obispo County
Apr. 1, 2026: SLOCOG Board – Consider Adoption of Ordinance with Measure Materials; Request for Ballot
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day / Voter-Consideration of Measure Fail -> No Change
Pass -> Delivers Expenditure Plan
11 Schedule and Next Steps
Local Road Repairs and Improvements
Est. $2,146,387 annually for transportation
improvements in Paso Robles
Regional Corridor Improvements
Est. $4,923,893 annually for corridor improvements in North County
Greater ability to leverage funds at the State and Federal level
Additional funding for Senior, Disabled, and Veteran’s mobility services throughout SLO County
12 Recap: Fiscal Impact to Paso Robles and North County Recommendation
Approve Resolution 26-XXX approving the SLOCOG Final Transportation Expenditure Plan for a potential transportation sales tax measure