Council approves grant program, budget changes, advances public art program
– The Paso Robles City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday at the temporary Centennial Park location, where members unanimously approved several funding, financial, and policy items, including the city’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant plan, updates to the public art program, a homeless services payment, and budget actions.
2026 Community Development Block Grant Program and Final Annual Action Plan
The council unanimously approved the city’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant funding plan and authorized submitting the Annual Action Plan to San Luis Obispo County. The city expects to receive about $226,010 in federal funds intended to benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
The plan allocates $120,108 for curb ramps and pedestrian safety improvements at Spring Street and 32nd Street, $48,750 for the Community Action Partnership home repair program, $19,483 for adult day care services, $19,484 for homeless services provided by El Camino Homeless Organization, and $18,185 for administration. A previously proposed 24th Street crosswalk project was removed pending further planning.
Visual Art in Public Places ordinance update
The council unanimously introduced for first reading an ordinance to reinstate and update the city’s Visual Art in Public Places program, following staff recommendation. The program has been inactive since 2009.
The proposal would allocate 0.5% of annual transient occupancy tax revenue, estimated at about $50,000 per year, to a public art fund and create a five-member Arts and Culture Board appointed by the council to oversee projects and planning. Related bylaws and board appointments would return to the council during the second reading process.
El Camino Homeless Organization mid-year report and payment
The council unanimously received and filed the El Camino Homeless Organization mid-year report for fiscal year 2025-26 and approved disbursing a $111,000 payment, following staff recommendation. The payment is part of a two-year, $444,000 agreement supporting shelter operations in Paso Robles.
ECHO reported providing 70 beds through its 90-day shelter program and an emergency placement room for police and fire referrals while meeting agreement requirements. Payments are issued twice per year.
Quarterly financial report and budget actions
The council unanimously received the quarterly financial update and approved budget amendments, personnel changes, the master pay schedule, and the budget calendar for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28.
General Fund revenues are projected at about 98.5% of budget, with expenditures below projections, resulting in an estimated $1 million positive variance, according to a staff report.
The council approved about $4.1 million in budget amendments, including funding to accelerate road maintenance projects, purchase road repair equipment, support riverbed cleanup, advance the Sherwood Park pickleball project, complete library design work, and cover senior center operations.
Personnel actions include reclassifying an engineering inspector position and upgrading water system operator classifications to meet state requirements. The approved calendar outlines steps toward adopting the next two-year city budget by June 2026.
Click here to view the agenda with staff reports.
Watch the full meeting streamed on YouTube below:
