An Arroyo Grande native, Jimmy Paulding knows every street, playing field, ice cream shop, house of worship and mom-and-pop business in his community. This comes from having grown up, studied, worked, married and settled in a place that shaped who he is.

Jimmy loves Arroyo Grande, and will defend its values and way of life. He’s a man with a vision designed to nurture and improve what’s best about his home.

Jimmy, 32, represents a new generation that is devoted to local civic mindedness, informed by being a lifelong resident of SLO County whose parents taught him right from wrong, kindness, compassion, generosity, faith in God and the practical application of hard work and common sense.

An attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California, Paulding attended Arroyo Grande primary schools, graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly.

The son of a local police officer and a high school teacher, Paulding today analyzes, negotiates, and resolves disputes for a large design and construction management firm.

Solving land use issues is in Jimmy’s blood. While at Cal Poly, he interned with the City of Arroyo Grande Community Development Department, where he processed permit applications, performed plan checks, drafted staff reports and delivered presentations to staff, the Architectural Review Committee, Historic Resources Committee, and Planning Commission. While at the City, Jimmy was acknowledged for his hard work in addressing – through public outreach and zoning policy research – the controversial issue of “mansionization” that was impacting the historic neighborhoods of the Arroyo Grande village.

Upon graduation, Jimmy worked for seven years for Vanir Construction Management, Inc. as a planner and project manager. Always contracting with government clients, such as the City of Santa Monica, SLO County, Del Norte County, Butte County, Kings County, and the State of California, Jimmy gained strong first-hand knowledge of local and state government operations. Helping local governments plan, budget, design, bid and build multi-million dollar public works projects such as wastewater treatment plants, road improvements, jail expansions, and airport redevelopments is Jimmy’s expertise. His private sector training has been an asset in his ability to find creative, cost-effective solutions for government projects.

When Jimmy sets his mind to something, he gets it done. While working, he attended night school at the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law where he commuted three nights a week to Santa Barbara and back.

He earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 2016 and passed the California Bar exam in February 2017 on his first try. Jimmy, now a project manager, claims analyst, and attorney, currently works for Arcadis North America Inc., a global design and consultancy firm.

Make no mistake, Jimmy's endeavors fuel his passion for public service. He strongly believes that together we can continue to make our world a better place to thrive!

My focus is to provide a collective voice for the citizens of Arroyo Grande. The decisions we make today impact the Arroyo Grande of tomorrow. Together, we can preserve what we love about our city while balancing the needs of today with the needs of many generations to come.

Community Engagement

Utilizing community participation techniques to expand public involvement

Transparency & Accountability

Ensuring local government is open, transparent, and accountable to the citizens of Arroyo Grande

Economic Development

Maintaining and creating head-of-household jobs, bringing in revenue to keep our city financially sound, and supporting our local business community

Controlled Growth

Advocating for smart policies that will balance the housing needs of our work force with environmental and historic preservation

It’s pretty special to have been born, grown up and lived in Arroyo Grande for most of my life. In a large family with nine kids get-togethers often revolved around memories and our years traversing these local streets, creeks and fields. We all attended local schools, which for me meant Harloe Elementary, Paulding Junior High and AGHS where I graduated in 1983. In my youth in experienced incredible teachers, met dedicated community leaders and was influenced by many adult volunteers that coached sports, mentored me in scouting, or led many other activities in what culminated to be my belief of what a “community” was all about.

After graduation I left AG to attend Fresno State where I earned a degree in Criminology. Fresno provided me with positive experiences that helped define the start of my adult life, meet my wife Tina (married 28 years), and start my career in law enforcement with the Fresno Police Department. These experiences set the stage that allowed me to return to the central coast and become employed with the San Luis Obispo Police Department. Having the chance to return to this area was a surprising opportunity so early in our lives. We stretched the budget and bought a “fixer upper” house in Arroyo Grande and began raising a family of our own. Who wouldn’t want the same for their own children? It’s been 26 years now.

Both of our boys, Casey (24), and Cameron (20), have had the opportunity to experience the connection associated with growing up in what is now our shared hometown. They have successfully traversed the same AG schools and engaged in many experiences that have shaped their positive relationship with the people and places in this area. As children they would often grumble about running into people we know. As their parents, we are now often running into people they know. Now that we are all adults the appreciation of this Arroyo Grande connection, it has come full circle.

Public service has always been my calling. Most of my career in law enforcement centered on various assignments within the San Luis Obispo Police Department. I ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain and retired from that position in 2016. My career was challenging and provided me with valuable skills such as, engaging citizens, developing employees, reviewing budgets, managing projects and being heavily involved in the day to day operations of city government. Accountability, trust and compassion were frequently required of me. I know the business of working well with others and most of my successes were dependent on collaboration and mutual respect.  

My public service career did not stop my desire to participate in volunteer service directed specifically to my hometown. For over two decades I’ve coached youth sports, was an adult leader in Cub and Boy Scouting and served on a variety of Arroyo Grande committees such as the AG Parks and Recreation Commission, the Arroyo Grande ARC, the Lucia Mar USD Measure I Citizen Oversite Committee, the Harvest Festival organization committee and was a co-chair of the successful Measure A bond to support aging facilities at AGHS. Now, I have an opportunity to become a City Council member and give back in another way.

My attachment to this community is strengthened by our rich history. It’s an understanding that many came before us, cared about our existence, and tried to make the best choices possible for our current and future shared community successes. These people have set the stage for my motivation.  My desire to run for City Council is not a result of “what’s wrong with our city”, it has everything to do with, “what’s right with our city”. I sincerely believe local government is the truest form of democracy where we as individuals should engage, create ideas, solve problems, plan for a bright future and have a positive impact on others.

I’d appreciate your support as we work together to enhance our shared community. Should you have any questions please contact me by email at contact@keithstorton4AG.org  or phone at 805-471-6599.      

CommUNITY  Counts!

Keith