Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
User fee increases under AB 2380 and AB 2224
Recording a real estate document or registering agricultural pest control just got pricier — fees rise January 4, 2027, because state law changed. The recorder change alone brings in about $335,000.
Quarterly fire protection district meetings
The Board was scheduled to sit as the governing boards of the East Vallejo, Montezuma, Suisun, and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts for their quarterly meetings.
ARPA fund closeout
The board wrapped up pandemic relief spending, handing the County Administrator authority to close out ARPA and shift any leftover eligible money to the Radio Interoperability Project — better radios for first responders.
Williams Case Settlement audit report
The county office of education reported on its inspections of schools flagged for visitation — checking bathrooms, instructional materials, and teacher credentials. Enrollment is declining 1.2% over three years, and 62% of Solano students are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
SEIU Unit 7 dispatcher pay increase
911 dispatchers got an 11.6% market equity raise, pushing entry-level monthly salary to about $6,400-$7,800. This helps the county compete for the people who answer emergency calls.
UC Cooperative Extension services and volunteer programs
4-H (323 kids in seven clubs), Master Gardeners, and Master Food Preservers deliver nearly 20,000 volunteer hours worth about $800,000 to the county — but CalFresh Healthy Living cuts cost the region nine staff positions.
OpenGov contract management software
The county plans to spend $2.3 million over nearly five years on software to manage its contracts countywide. Better tracking could mean more transparency in how county money is spent.
Justice Campus flood gates
The board approved $4.9 million to start Phase 1 of security upgrades at the downtown Fairfield justice campus.
Fire district cost-of-living raises
Suisun, Vacaville, and Montezuma Fire District employees get 3% cost-of-living raises, and the interim fire chief's salary range jumps to nearly $10,500 a month — with a permanent chief hire discussion to come back to the board.
Counties Care Holiday Food Fight
Solano is challenging Contra Costa to the 23rd annual food fight after a six-year win streak; employee fundraising runs Nov 1-Dec 31 and has totaled $836,318 over 22 years. The food bank reports rising demand as CalFresh changes push more neighbors into food insecurity.
Flannery Associates lot line adjustment
Three ag parcels totaling 580 acres near Collinsville Road were reconfigured, with Williamson Act contracts rescinded and replaced. Supervisor Vasquez voiced distrust of Flannery Associates but voted yes after staff confirmed the land remains agricultural and zoned unchanged.
Vacaville Fire Protection District FEMA grants
The district accepted $709K in FEMA grants to buy a new water tender and a PPE extractor, retiring a 1971 water tender.
Short-term rental ordinance clarifications
The county tightened its 2018 short-term rental rules after finding owners advertising fake 31-day rentals with easy cancellation to dodge transient occupancy tax and permit fees. New rules add minimum stay requirements, refund restrictions, advertising limits, and record-keeping.
Fall prevention services for seniors
With about 110,000 seniors in the county and falls the leading cause of injury death for people 65-plus, agencies described free programs providing grab bars, ramps and in-home safety assessments — though funding lapses have already forced one program to shut down temporarily.
Culturally informed suicide prevention for Native communities
A retired tribal caseworker told the Board suicide is the second leading cause of death in Native American communities and urged mental health services that reflect historical trauma and cultural context. The county's new public health-led prevention program pledged community-based coalition work.
Disposal of former redevelopment properties in downtown Suisun City
The board was scheduled to act on the transfer of five former redevelopment parcels — four to a private buyer and two small portions to the City of Suisun City. These decisions shape what gets built or preserved on downtown Main Street.
Suisun Expansion Project airport compatibility review
A proposed ad hoc committee would review whether the Suisun Expansion Project could conflict with airport land use compatibility requirements, looking ahead to its draft environmental impact report.
Nut Tree Airport property litigation
The Board voted unanimously to sue to recover possession of county property at the Nut Tree Airport through an unlawful detainer action.
Car seat safety grant
A $140,000 state grant funds the Solano Car Seat Connection program for another year, helping families get and correctly install car seats.
Accessory dwelling unit (ADU/JADU) zoning update
New rules align the county's accessory dwelling unit regulations with state law — ADUs were 35% of county building permits last year and are a key piece of the county's affordable housing capacity.
Large-scale Development Project
California Forever’s plan to build a brand-new city in Solano County just hit a snag, and the outcome could change how the area grows and what housing gets built. If you care about local development, land use, or housing, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
California Forever development campaign
California Forever is pushing hard on Solano County officials and voters, saying its huge development plan is tied to 10,000 jobs. If you live there, the fight could change the county’s landscape, housing market, and local politics.
2025 Crop and Livestock Report and consumer overcharges
The county's annual ag report showed record production value but declining field and forage acreage, ongoing pest surveillance, and 103 overcharged items caught in retail price inspections. Supervisors want a report naming repeat-offender businesses.
Healthcare employee retention concerns
A physician assistant warned that scrapped retention bonuses, missing lab services, and contract negotiations could push healthcare workers out and delay patient care.
Substance use treatment expansion grant
The county accepted $665,150 in state Proposition 36 funding to expand community-based substance use treatment and recovery support through March 2028.
Emergency preparedness for power outages and extreme heat
A Vacaville resident described a 25-hour power outage with no cooling centers or timely public information, asking the county to improve notifications and support for seniors during outages and heat waves.
new city development (California Forever)
Speakers split on the California Forever project: supporters asked the Board to form a business-leader commission to smooth its path, while opponents urged the Board to resist state legislation that would weaken local land-use control.
Delinquent solid waste charges and property liens
Unpaid garbage bills in unincorporated Solano County are being converted to special assessments placed on the property tax roll, with a $62 lien fee per parcel. Haulers cleared many accounts before the hearing, but remaining delinquents now face liens.
Pleasants Valley Agritourism Overlay
A new zoning overlay would ease agritourism uses — farm stands, tastings, events — in Pleasants Valley. The airport commission confirmed it doesn't conflict with flight-path safety zones, clearing one hurdle for the program.
County sign ordinance airport compatibility
The county's updated accessory dwelling unit ordinance needed a check against airport safety zones before it can take effect around Travis AFB, Nut Tree and Rio Vista airports. The commission found it conditionally consistent, keeping the path open for ADU construction countywide.
Private City Development Proposal
Tech billionaires are bringing in Democratic lobbyists to revive a plan for a brand-new city in Solano County. If it moves forward, it could change local land use, housing, and politics for years, with county approval fights where residents can weigh in.
Advanced life support response at Sandy Beach
A resident urged the Board to make paramedic-staffed fire departments the automatic first response to medical calls at Sandy Beach.
economic development / California Forever shipyard project
The 2025 economic index shows manufacturing jobs dipped but modest growth is expected through 2030. Supervisor Mashburn wants a countywide study of water, power, and other infrastructure to guide growth and economic development.
Glare violation appeal at 8402 Quail Canyon Road
A property owner is appealing a county order to abate glare from solar-powered light poles visible beyond his property line. The case turns on how strictly the county enforces its glint-and-glare standard in agricultural zones.
County Attorney Union Contract (Unit 1)
The county finalized a two-plus-year deal with its attorney union through September 2028, including pay parity fixes and a possible wage re-opener in 2028. It affects county legal staffing costs and labor relations going into negotiations with other unions.
Human Trafficking Task Force Effort
Supervisor James reported progress toward a Solano County Human Trafficking Task Force, with law enforcement and community partners planning follow-up meetings in the coming months.
Federal and State Legislative Update
The county's lobbyists briefed supervisors on the Governor's May Revise budget, Ukraine funding's political sensitivity in Congress, and how federal bridge funding could help replace the Highway 12 bridge near Rio Vista.
Minor Use Permit requirement for English Hills Road building project
A rural homeowner appealed a staff decision requiring a Minor Use Permit before his building permit could be approved. The commission sided with staff, so the homeowner must complete the discretionary permit process.
SMUD Solano 5 Wind Repower Project
SMUD gave an informational presentation on repowering wind turbines in Solano County. Commissioners were interested enough to form an ad hoc committee to follow the wind turbine project.
District Attorney Investigator classification update
The county wants to update the job specs for DA Investigators and Supervising Investigators, loosening the education requirement to accept relevant coursework like psychology, sociology, and corrections alongside criminal justice degrees. That could widen the hiring pool for the DA's office investigative staff.
Ambulance contract RFP back on track
After delays and appeals, the county's ambulance services procurement is moving again, with the Medic Ambulance contract extended to December 1 to avoid service gaps.
$5 million grant application for Vallejo community center
The county is backing a $5 million Bay Area air quality grant application to fund energy efficiency upgrades at the Rise Vallejo Early Education and Community Resource Center.
Development Project Oversight
Solano County is looking at the massive California Forever development and how Suisun City will oversee it. The project could bring housing and tax revenue, but it also raises questions about traffic, infrastructure, and whether city officials can handle developer pressure. If you care about local growth, this is one to watch.
Veterinary facility at 4084 Suisun Valley Road
A vacant religious building in the Suisun Valley agricultural district will become a veterinary clinic. Residents north of Fairfield get a new animal-care option nearby.
Rio Vista General Plan Update 2045 airport compatibility
Rio Vista is updating its general plan through 2045, and the ALUC had to confirm the new plan doesn't conflict with flight operations at Travis AFB or the Rio Vista Municipal Airport. The Commission found it compatible, clearing the way for the city's planning effort.
Unit 14 correctional supervisors labor agreement
The board approved a new contract for jail correctional supervisors through October 2028, including side letters on pay parity, wage reopeners, and a classification study.
Receivership actions for Winters properties
The board authorized county attorneys to pursue receivership — a court process to take control of chronically neglected properties — for 8425 Winters Road and 8338 Tubbs Road in Winters.
Senior PEAS program funding loss
Public commenters warned that the Prevention and Early Access for Seniors (PEAS) program lost funding. It's described as a cost-effective program serving vulnerable older adults.
Medic Ambulance franchise fee increase
Medic Ambulance extended its county contract through December 2026 and will pay $50,000 more a year in franchise fees — money the county keeps from the ambulance service operating locally.
Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board composition
The Board approved joining legislative efforts to change how the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District's trustees are selected, aiming to make the board better serve the community.