As covered last week, the County is preparing to put enforcement measures in place to back up its county-wide ban on fireworks. Item 2 on the agenda seeks to approve the measures outlined in the proposal presented at the last Board meeting. This probably sounds like good news for most property owners who resent the “hold my beer” cowboys firing off illeagel rockets and explosive devises.

However, the proposed regulations reach pretty far in some cases. As an example, the fines are set at $1,000 per violation and include a misdemeaner arrest. The enforcement extends to the host of a gathering where any fireworks are used, and simply being a spectator gets you the same deal. We completely understand the need for strong enforcement, especially regarding the above mentioned practitioners. But, the regulations do not appear to distinguish between the wild party animals with seriously illegal fireworks and the family lighting off Safe and Sane sparklers (fully legal in several cities throughout SLO County) for their kids in the driveway. This is a program that is hoped to pay for its enforcement costs through fine revenue.

Some fireworks violations are serious and should be dealt with using a stiff punishment, but we shudder to think a small impact violation could garner the same punishment as a serious one, or that a spectator would be punished at the same level as the true offender. And how about piling a whole lot of hurt on anyone who causes a fire or injury due to the use of ilegal fireworks?

Item 14 is yet another mental health program expendiature similar to the one we saw at the last meeting for a little over $1 million, or the one at the meeting before that for $8.3 million. This one is for a bit over $5 million. They are similar because they involve requests for huge amounts of taxpayer money and don’t seem to offer up much in the way of accountability - and they all appear on the consent calender.

These kind of programs are often mandated and frequently come with some sort of funding mechanism provided by or required by the State of California. They serve a purpose for a segment of our population that otherwise has little support, explaining the need for mandates. This leaves the County little manuvering room, but it certainly does not preclude some form of oversight or assurance that the program is functioning well and delivering good value for the many millions of dollars it receives in taxpayer funding. The measure reads:

Request to 1) approve an increase to the FY 2024-25 Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) pool budget to increase the cumulative maximum compensation amount by $1,064,000, for a new cumulative budgeted amount not to exceed $5,077,298; 2) waive the terms of the County Contracting for Services Policy and approve a FY 2024-25 contract with California Psychiatric Transitions in a cumulative budgeted pool amount not to exceed $5,077,298, to provide residential and intensive mental health services in locked facilities called IMD beds for adults who cannot care for themselves due to their mental health disorder and/or severe substance use disorder; and 3) delegate authority to the Health Agency Director or their designee to sign any future amendments that do not increase the level of General Fund support required by the Health Agency.

Item 20 on the agenda deals with the attempt at “gap closure” on the $45 + million Bob Jones trail. The level of determination and County resources that has been dedicated to this project is seemingly unmatched by any other single endevour. If only we saw the same commitment to improving road conditions… The measure reads:

Request to 1) accept and execute a Certificate of Acceptance for a Perpetual and 4- year Temporary Construction Easement Agreement No. 22-12.16 with Avila Pismo RV Resort & Campground, LLC in the amount of $108,000 for necessary right of way and easement access for the Bob Jones Pathway “Gap Closure” Project; and 2) authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to execute any remaining escrow and payment related documents or instructions necessary to close the transactions associated with the acquisition of these real property interests. Below is the map illistrating the project location:

Item 26 is the submittal of the FY 2024-25 Third Quarter Financial Status Report and request to approve various financial actions (one or more actions require 4/5 votes).

In terms of overall budgetary performance, the numbers look pretty good. The following is a graph prepared by the County Administrative Office comparing third quarter ’24-25 to last years performance over the same period.