Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in public safety with high priority
Public safety dispatcher market equity increase
The Board was scheduled to consider an 11.6% market equity raise for entry-level public safety dispatchers, raising the monthly range to $6,398.30–$7,777.17. Competitive pay helps the county recruit and retain the people who answer 911 calls.
Winter storm and flood preparedness
A very strong El Niño is already driving up tides, Suisun's drainage district has declared early, and crews are prepping roads, culverts, and the Justice Campus flood walls. Residents are urged to clean their own culverts and sign up for Alert Solano before the first big storm flushes debris downstream.
Domestic violence awareness and services
Supervisors recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hearing that the DA's office has filed 544 DV cases in nine months and advocates have served over 844 victims this year. Local services are expanding into Vallejo, including a supervised visitation program and an October 10 awareness walk.
West Nile virus warning
The acting public health officer warned that West Nile-positive mosquitoes are running high countywide, especially around Dixon and northern Solano, with two deaths already in Yolo County. Residents are urged to dump standing water, wear repellent, and get flu shots.
Drug Medi-Cal program transition to county control
Starting January 1, 2027, Solano County takes over administration of substance use disorder treatment from the Partnership HealthPlan regional model. About 1,800 residents rely on this network, and staff pledged a feedback process so clients don't lose access during the switch.
Psychiatric inpatient services contract
A $767,390 contract with Sierra Vista Hospital keeps acute psychiatric inpatient beds available for Medi-Cal patients through mid-2028.
Operation Waterfront Blues gang investigation results
Deputy Dalton Reiken and FBI Special Agent Nathan Cernett earned the Distinguished Service Medal for a year-long infiltration of the Brown Brotherhood street gang. The operation netted eight arrests, 31 firearms, over 52 pounds of narcotics including 110,000 fentanyl pills, and $172,000 in criminal proceeds.
SANE/SART sexual assault response program funding
Fairfield's police chief told the Board the SANE/SART program needs about $90,500 more to keep 24-hour sexual assault nurse exams running, and questioned whether exam fee revenue covers the program's costs. He asked the Board to agendize a financial review and consider a joint powers authority model.
County Clinic Funding Shortfall
COVID-era federal money that propped up county health clinics (about $5 million a year) is gone, leaving a $5 million hole. Without reserve draws or a new plan, more than 22,000 people could lose access to care — and clinics aren't a mandated county service, so Supervisors want a fallback plan before a crisis hits.
Advanced life support response at Sandy Beach
A firefighter told the board that a man died at Sandy Beach after paramedic-staffed fire units weren't dispatched first — again. He urged automatic ALS response and a mutual response zone for the remote park, 30 miles from the nearest hospital.
New EMS Advisory Committee
After dissolving SEMSC, the county created its own EMS advisory committee with seats for hospitals, trauma physicians, dispatch, urban and rural fire chiefs, a community member, behavioral health, ambulance providers and transport companies. It advises on patient care and system planning but can't weigh in on contracts or response times.
Public Safety Radio Tower Site Agreements
The county will keep using city-owned land in Dixon and Rio Vista for its emergency radio towers at no cost for ten years — critical for sheriff, fire, and EMS radio coverage.
County withdraws from regional EMS joint powers authority
Solano County is formally pulling out of the Solano Emergency Medical Services Cooperative JPA, putting ambulance oversight directly under the Board and county health officials. The new EMS advisory committee's makeup — and whether the contracted ambulance company gets a vote — was too contested to decide, so it comes back later.