Library laying off 11 workers

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• Filling a void in Templeton: Push is on to find funds to build library

  Filling a void in Templeton: Push is on to find funds to build library

  Carla Willhoit’s enthusiasm to bring a library to the small community of Templeton is immeasurable, but the sight of boxed books stacked high in her garage paint a picture of her commitment.

  The 89-year-old resident is a founding member of the Templeton Community Library Association and a longtime advocate of the benefits libraries bring to communities.

  Before Templeton’s last library, housed in its volunteer fire department, closed in the 1970s, she remembers one man who spent hours reading and talking to those who came and went.

• Advisory council wants Teixeira’s monetary support

  Advisory council wants Teixeira’s monetary support

  Eight months after county Supervisor Paul Teixeira floated the idea to dissolve the two South County advisory groups in his district, some members of one of the organizations are wondering if he’s trying to do it again — albeit in a much quieter fashion.

  Though he’s under no obligation to do so, Teixeira has not provided funding to the South County Advisory Council, nor has he responded in writing to a request for money from the volunteer organization representing the Nipomo area.

  The SCAC is struggling without the funds, which go toward administrative expenses such as office supplies, maintaining a website and renting a post office box, Chairman Dan Woodson said.

• County pension plan getting on track

  County pension plan getting on track

  As other governments around the state struggle with pensions and their frightening fiscal implications, San Luis Obispo County leaders and their employees continue their long, steady march toward making employer-employee financial relations as painless as possible.

  Ninety percent of county employees have now agreed to two-tier pension plans, Human Resources Director Tami Douglas-Schatz told the Board of Supervisors this week, and all county workers have taken a pay cut in one form or another, generally by increasing their contribution to retirement plans.

  The county has 2,314 employees. Of those, 2,083 are now in a bargaining unit that includes a second tier, where new employees receive generally lesser benefits than veteran employees.

• Budget cuts will hurt schools, in-home care in SLO County

  Budget cuts will hurt schools, in-home care in SLO County

  Community college and university students in San Luis Obispo County will likely see the cost of classes increase, residents will have reduced access to in-home care, and local school districts may have to make more cuts because of a loss of transportation funding as a result of deeper state budget cuts.

  Gov. Jerry Brown announced this week a plan to impose $980 million in midyear cuts to a dozen programs starting in January.

  School districts

• County waives fees for solar nonprofit

  County waives fees for solar nonprofit

  Regularly criticized for levying too many fees that are too high, the Board of Supervisors showed this week that it will make an exception when it thinks there is reason to do so.

  The board waived installation fees for Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit that installs photovoltaic systems on affordable housing. The waiver is for $100,000 spread over five years.

  Senior Planner Matt Janssen said the company provides a public service in several ways. Photovoltaic systems reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, for example, and decrease energy bills. Each landowner saves $35 a month in energy costs, on average.