County officials are elected on a nonpartisan basis in the direct primary election held in June of each even-numbered year. If no candidate receives more than fifty percent of all votes cast for an office, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes compete in a run-off at the November general election that same year. County officials are elected for four-year terms and judges for six- year terms. Elected officials’ salaries are set by County ordinance with exceptions noted. Officials must be registered voters and residents of the County. Most County offices are housed in the County Government Center Complex on Monterey, Osos, Palm, and Santa Rosa Streets, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

Superior Court Judges, the County Board of Education, and the County Superintendent of Schools are not employees of the County government, even though they are elected by the people of San Luis Obispo County. Instead, their agencies are separate entities. The following elected officials are employees of the County government.

County Board of Supervisors
Phone: (805) 781-5450; 1-800 834-4636             Fax: (805) 781-1350
Chambers: 1055 Monterey Street, Rm. D-170, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Offices: 1055 Monterey Street, Rm. D430, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Members: Five, elected from districts with equal populations.

Term: Four years, terms staggered.

Duties: As the County governing body, enacts all County laws; adopts budgets; appoints certain officials; appropriates funds; approves formal contracts; appoints members of boards and commissions; sets policies for government and various special districts; rules on County General Plan and land use issues. Chairman is elected annually by the Board, on a rotating basis.

Meetings: First four Tuesdays of each month in the Board of Supervisors' Chambers, County Government Center, 1055 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, with the exception of Winter/Summer breaks and the annual CSAC (California State Association of Counties) conference. Sessions are broadcast live on the county government website and cable television (channel 21). TV coverage is replayed periodically throughout the week. Members of the public may address the Board during the public comment period or on agenda items as they come up for discussion. Agendas are available at the meetings and on the Board of Supervisors and Clerk Recorder websites.

Auditor – Controller – Treasurer – Tax Collector – Public Administrator
Phone: (805) 781-5831             Fax: (805) 781-5362
1055 Monterey St., Room D-220, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Term: Four years.

Duties:

The Auditor-Controller Division provides for all accounting and auditing functions of County government and serves as an independent source of financial information and analysis for the public, local governmental agencies, County departments, and all other stakeholders.

The Treasury Division safeguards and invests County funds, including funds for school districts and other local agencies.

The Tax Collector Division is responsible for issuing Secured (real estate) and Unsecured (businesses, boats, planes) tax bills. The Tax Collector also issues County Business Licenses and collects Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT, or "Hotel Tax") in the unincorporated areas of the County.

The Public Administrator Division is responsible for administering the estates of deceased county residents when no other party is willing and able to administer these estates.

Assessor
Phone: (805) 781-5643             Fax: (805) 781-5641
1055 Monterey St., Room D-360, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Term: Four years.

Duties: Implements State Revenue and Taxation Code. Assesses all taxable property except utilities, which are assessed by State Board of Equalization; prepares annual assessment rolls; keeps assessment records; administers property tax exemptions. Appeals of assessed valuation are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board.

County Clerk - Recorder
Phone: (805) 781-5080             Fax: (805) 781-1111
1055 Monterey St., Room D-120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Term: Four years.

Duties: The County Clerk issues marriage licenses, files fictitious business name statements, and notary bonds. Serves as Commissioner of Civil Marriages. The County Recorder records and maintains documents affecting real property and vital documents such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. The Registrar of Voters files and maintains voter registrations, files campaign statements and conflict of interest forms. Conducts county, state, and federal elections, including elections for special districts and school districts.

District Attorney/Victim Witness
Phone: (805) 781-5800
1035 Palm St, 4th floor, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Term: Four years.

Qualifications: Required to have been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of California. Required to submit a Statement of Economic Interest at time of filing.

Duties: Serves as public prosecutor; presents evidence to the Grand Jury; assists in Juvenile Court; investigates consumer fraud; aids victims of crimes.

Sheriff - Coroner
Phone: (805) 781-4550
1545 Kansas Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
www.slosheriff.org

Term: Four years.

Duties: The Sheriff serves as law enforcement officer and keeper of the peace in all unincorporated areas in the County. The Coroner directs medical personnel to establish medical facts pertaining to each case to determine circumstances, manner, and cause of violent, sudden, or unusual deaths.