When I ran for County Supervisor, I promised to deliver results. I ran on a vision of a resilient, connected South County: a place where our kids have safe parks to play in, our seniors and families have reliable services, and our roads, water supply, and community infrastructure meet today’s challenges.

Since 2023, I’ve worked every day with residents, County staff, nonprofits, and partners to turn that vision into real, on-the-ground progress. Here’s what we’ve achieved together, and what we’re building next.

🌳 Investing in Parks, Recreation, Public Health, and Community Spaces

I believe our quality of life depends on more than roads and services. It also depends on public spaces, recreation, learning, and community connection. That’s why I made parks, recreation, and libraries a priority, and why we are now seeing major improvements across our neighborhoods.

• We opened the Nipomo Skatepark, a modern and safe place for youth and families to gather, play, and stay engaged.

• I secured $800,000 for a brand-new playground and park upgrades at Oceano Memorial Park, with construction slated to begin this month. You’re invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony on February 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the park, located at 1330 Dewey Drive in Oceano.

• At Nipomo Community Park, we upgraded local pickleball courts, built a new disc golf course, and advanced plans for a new dog park that is not located over a landfill, expanding recreational options for residents.

• Through the newly adopted Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan, we laid out a roadmap for sustainable, accessible, and thoughtfully designed public spaces that will meet the needs of future generations.

• We approved a public trail at Trilogy Monarch Dunes and organized six community-wide cleanups to foster stewardship of our neighborhoods and open spaces.

• On the library front, we upgraded the Oceano library and are in the process of upgrading the Arroyo Grande library. We also secured funding for renovations, including a grant from the California State Library.

All of this matters because parks and libraries aren’t “nice to have.” They are essential infrastructure that brings people together, supports mental and physical health, and builds a strong sense of community identity.

💧 Water Security, Natural Resources, and Public-Health Preparedness

We cannot have thriving communities without reliable water, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship. That’s why I’ve pushed hard for sustainable water and resource initiatives.

• We advanced a regional desalination project, bringing us closer to a locally controlled, drought-resistant source of clean water. In a time of unpredictable climate patterns and persistent drought, this project is vital for long-term water security.

• To reduce pressure on our aquifers and support agriculture sustainably, I backed the Multibenefit Irrigated Land Repurposing Program in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. This program helps recharge groundwater while protecting farming, balancing community water needs with agricultural viability.

• In response to the destructive storms of 2023, we allocated significant funds for storm recovery and infrastructure repairs. We prioritized resilience for roads, bridges, and public utilities while maintaining our annual allocation for road maintenance. Contrary to what has been stated, the Board of Supervisors never de-prioritized road maintenance. We converted a priority-list item from “roads” to “infrastructure recovery” to reflect the $70 million in infrastructure repair costs caused by the storms.

• We completed a three-phase restoration of the Arroyo Grande Creek levee, removing debris, re-grading slopes, and installing hydraulic barrier walls to increase flood protection. At the same time, we updated the County’s Emergency Response Plan so we are better prepared for future storms or emergencies.

• On the public health front, we commissioned a study to identify climate-related health risks and integrate public-health preparedness into the County’s climate and emergency planning.

These efforts aren’t flashy, but they are fundamental to keeping our community resilient, safe, and ready for what nature brings.

🚴‍♂️ Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Upgrades

A connected community is a thriving community. Over the last few years, I’ve worked to ensure South County receives the transportation and infrastructure upgrades it needs.

• We began converting the County’s outdated Bikeways Plan into a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan, expanding bike and pedestrian infrastructure countywide and restructuring the Bicycle Advisory Committee so residents’ voices help guide the work ahead.

• I helped secure $68 million in state funding for the Pismo Beach 101 Congestion Relief Project. This project includes a new peak-hour travel lane on Highway 101, critical safety upgrades, an EV charging station, and a shared-use bike and pedestrian path. It will improve commute times, reduce congestion, and support sustainable mobility.

• We completed a new roundabout at Avila Beach Drive and Highway 101, significantly improving safety and traffic flow for residents and visitors.

• We advanced the State Route 227 Multimodal Corridor Improvements Project, including new roundabouts, operational upgrades, and a 1.2-mile shared-use path connecting neighborhoods like Los Ranchos to Los Ranchos Elementary and other local amenities. This project is supported in part by an $850,000 federal earmark.

• We moved forward on Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School improvements along Halcyon Road in Arroyo Grande, securing $749,000 for pedestrian and bicycle upgrades between Fair Oaks Avenue and The Pike. The project will reconfigure the roadway, add buffered bike lanes, improve pedestrian access, replace noncompliant ADA ramps, and install high-visibility crosswalks with rapid-flashing beacons.

• We are also advancing the Halcyon and Highway 1 Operational Improvements Project, a $3.5 million safety and mobility upgrade that will deliver a coordinated signal system south of Arroyo Grande and east of Oceano. This has been a high priority for me since taking office in 2023, and I’ve worked to move the interim signal design through Caltrans review, close funding gaps, and keep the project on track for near-term construction.

• We approved the Bob Jones Trail “City to the Sea” connection. After years of planning, redesigns, and community input, the project received final state approval, clearing the way for construction to begin. This will finally close the 4.5-mile gap between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach, creating a safe, multi-modal trail for people of all ages and abilities.

These projects reflect a commitment to smarter growth, safer roads, better traffic flow, more sustainable transportation, and long-term connectivity.

🏘️ Strengthening Infrastructure, Public Safety, and Community Services

Safety and basic services are non-negotiable. That’s why we’ve taken action on multiple fronts.

• We funded the design and construction of the Nipomo Sheriff’s Substation, a long-needed law enforcement resource for South County. As I outlined in the 2025 Community Plan Update FAQs, this has been a priority for over 30 years. The $12 million allocation we secured will make construction possible in 2027.

• We adopted a Fire Strategic Plan for county fire protection and, under that plan, increased staffing at Nipomo’s Station 70 (formerly Station 20) to three-person engine crews, the first in the county.

• When communities like Oceano faced uncertainty after their former fire service district divested, we stepped in and contracted with the Five Cities Fire Authority to maintain fire protection without raising taxes.

• Infrastructure upgrades also include sidewalk and crosswalk improvements near Oceano Elementary, funded by a $1.2 million grant I secured to make it safer for kids walking and biking to school. We also funded the first phase of Pier Avenue improvements to make the corridor safer and more walkable, with construction beginning in the coming months.

• We worked to expand educational and youth opportunities as well, revitalizing the Oceano Airport for community use, hosting the first “Girls in Aviation Day,” and creating new tech education and career pathways for young people.

🎯 Planning for Growth, Responsibly and With Community Input

Good government starts with listening and thoughtful planning. That’s why I initiated and prioritized the 2025 Nipomo Community Plan Update, aligning infrastructure, transportation, safety, parks, and development plans with community needs.

I’m also focused on balanced growth. When the proposed Dana Reserve housing project, a 1,470-unit master-planned development, came before the Board, I voted against it. I argued it lacked the necessary balance between housing needs and protections for open space, resources, and public safety.

We can and must meet our housing and growth needs while preserving the character, environment, and safety of South County.

🙌 Why This Matters, and What’s Next

From parks and playgrounds to water security, roads, fire protection, and community planning, these efforts are not isolated projects. Together, they represent a long-term investment in the health, resilience, and future of our communities.

I know what matters most to residents is what happens when the rubber meets the road: kids having safe places to play, commutes becoming easier, water supplies holding up during drought, and emergency services responding when minutes count.

I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and I know this is just the beginning. Challenges remain, from funding constraints to balancing growth with preservation, but I remain committed to working, listening, and delivering results.

As we move forward, I promise I’ll keep showing up, keep fighting for South County, and keep building, not just houses, roads, and facilities, but community, pride, and opportunity.

Thank you for your trust. Let’s keep building the community we deserve, together.

— Jimmy Paulding