A Summer Recap

By: 5th District Supervisor, Debbie Arnold

Well, here we are in the final weeks of summer. Children are returning to school, and while things are feeling a little bit more normal than they did this time last year, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding event protocol and restrictions in public places.  I was very happy to be able to participate in one of my favorite local summer activities this year, the Mid-State Fair. While many counties around us were unable to organize a local fair this summer, the amazing effort to hold the fair was successful thanks to fair staff and many volunteers.  Though the fair did not have as much entertainment as in years past, the 4-H, FFA, and local rodeo events were able to return.  The community came out to support our local youth, and prices were high at the industrial arts and livestock auctions. It was great to see so many young people be able to sell their projects after all their hard work.  It just felt good to return to a summer tradition of seeing old friends at the fair.

This summer has been a hot one.  On July 13, the County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution proclaiming a drought emergency in San Luis Obispo County. The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies our county in the category of extreme drought.  Our local reservoir levels are very low for this time of year. These extreme drought conditions affect agricultural production, fire danger levels, and have economic impacts countywide. Most areas of the County only received approximately 50% of normal rainfall for the 2020-21 season. Currently, 50 of California’s 58 counties statewide are under a state emergency declaration due to drought. These conditions make the entire state vulnerable to wild land fires, and we know the most dangerous months for wild land fire can be early fall.  Though lots of work has been done here in the county to minimize the threat of fire, I remind everyone to be prepared and be careful this fire season.

The Covid-19 pandemic is still a concern, and active cases in the county have increased in the last month.  To find the latest information on Covid-19 in our county go to readyslo.org.

The County Board of Supervisors are now holding board meetings in person at the Government Center on Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo.  We will spend the next few months working on water issues, redistricting the Supervisor districts, selecting a County Clerk, and many other topics of importance to the citizens of this county.

Please contact my office with any questions or concerns regarding county services.  It is an honor to represent you.

-Debbie Arnold

Atascadero City Big Cheese KL

5th District Supervisor, Debbie Arnold

Debbie Arnold moved to San Luis Obispo County in 1973 to attend Cal Poly, she fell in love with both her husband, Steve, and the farming and ranching values that had been a part of the Arnold family way of life for more than 5 generations. While raising two children, she owned and operated a small business in Atascadero for more than 17 years. She then had the privilege of advocating for local families as a Legislative Aide at the County Supervisor’s office and as a San Luis Obispo District Representative for the State Senate. During these years, she worked with a broad range of community groups and interests, bringing people together to solve problems. Debbie Arnold now serves as the 5th District Supervisor for San Luis Obispo County.