County government · San Luis Obispo County, CA
San Luis Obispo County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), San Luis Obispo County took in $989 million and spent $946 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of San Luis Obispo County's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. county of 250,000+ people gets 19%.
County taxes31%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; other licenses and 4 more
- Other selective sales taxes$16.6 million
- Other licenses$6.4 million
- Public utility taxes$4.6 million
- Occupation and business licenses$4.0 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$3.0 million
- Other taxes not classified elsewhere$1.1 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services18%
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; water and 7 more
- Other service charges$72.0 million
- Water$52.8 million
- Airport$15.5 million
- Parks and recreation$12.8 million
- Parks, land and natural resources$9.7 million
- Sewer$9.0 million
- Garbage collection$4.5 million
- Other school charges$3.3 million
- Road charges$547 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money6.7%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money36%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.0%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.7%
Where it goes
What stands out
of San Luis Obispo County's spending goes to social services.A typical U.S. county of 250,000+ people spends 4.3%.
Spending by category100%
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; courts and legal services and 3 more
- Police$57.1 million
- Courts and legal services$48.4 million
- Prisons and jails$45.4 million
- Fire protection$29.1 million
- Probation, parole and other corrections$19.7 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 1 more
- Other and not broken out$106 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$32.2 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$19.8 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$153 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$152 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and airports
- Roads and highways$51.6 million
- Airports$9.7 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$34.6 million
- Interest on water supply debt$13.3 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$37.0 million
- Sewer systems$8.6 million
- Garbage and solid waste$1.7 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
- Elementary and secondary schools$43.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$19.2 million
- Libraries$12.1 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$25.0 million
- Sent to the state government$1.8 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$25.7 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
San Luis Obispo County. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of San Luis Obispo County itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.