Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues with medium priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.