Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Solano County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
28 issues
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.
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.
First 5 Solano audit
The Board was scheduled to receive the annual audit of the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, which funds early childhood health and education programs.
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.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan
The county's road, bridge and drainage wishlist for the next six years was approved, funded heavily by the 2017 gas tax. Highlights: sidewalks at Suisun Valley/Rockville Roads, a 70-year-old culvert replacement, and 30+ miles of chip sealing a year.
English Hills Transportation Impact Fee update
New homes in the English Hills area will pay $8,384 (up about $188) toward fixing substandard roads there, starting January 1, 2027. Fire rebuilds and small ADUs stay exempt.
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.
Behavioral health interoperability contract
Consent items totaling over $1.1 million would fund transitional housing (Bay Area Community Services, Caminar) and behavioral health services (Seneca, St. Joseph's) for residents in need.
CIF FY2026/27 annual grants and NAMI Solano funding gap
NAMI Solano, which serves over 1,000 people a year with free mental illness support, lost all its county funding — about $325,000 — after Proposition 1 changes, and a nonprofit grant application was denied. They asked the board to help find a path forward.
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.
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.
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.
2027 Legislative Platforms
The county's advocacy playbook for next year targets HR 1's cost shifts to counties for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, a proposed census rule that could cut California's federal funding, and potential PG&E wildfire-liability legislation — all with real dollar consequences for county services.
Native American Heritage Month proclamation
The county formally honors November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month, recognizing the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation's stewardship of Patwin ancestral lands and ongoing partnerships like the mobile food pharmacy in Vallejo.
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.
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.
NorthBay health facilities revenue bonds
Ten NorthBay health facilities in Fairfield and Vacaville will get up to $250.6 million in tax-exempt financing for renovations and $42.5 million in new exam rooms and services. The county isn't on the hook for repayment — the bonds are issued by a state financing authority for the nonprofit borrower.
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.
Transitional housing and behavioral health contracts
Over $826K in contracts with Bay Area Community Services and Caminar will provide transitional housing through June 2027 for people who are homeless or at risk and have behavioral health needs.
Nut Tree Airport hangar taxilane construction
A $1.8 million contract will rebuild the northeast hangar taxilanes and drainage at the county airport.
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.
Fire alarm and suppression upgrades at county buildings
$876K for Phase 1 fire alarm replacement at three Fairfield county buildings, with Phase 2 fire suppression at the Administration Center server center to follow.
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.
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.