The Solano County Board of Supervisors will hold two meetings this week, the first a Budget Hearing on Monday and the second a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday.
The proposed budget totals $1,645,088,474 and reflects an increase in the workforce to 3,284.90 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. The General Fund is proposed at $416,004,779, an increase of 1,604,550 or .04 percent over the previous fiscal year.
Public protection is expected to account for 22.4 percent of spending, Health is expected to account for 21.4 percent of spending, and public assistance is expected to account for 16.5 percent of spending. Public Safety (44.4 percent) and Social Services (13.6 percent) are projected to account for over half of the county’s expenditures per department alone.
Just over forty nine percent of general fund revenue will come from property taxes, and 16 percent will come from charges for services. The rest will come from special taxes, reserves, interest, and other sources. The current general fund reserve is $49.5 million, which is 80.4% of the minimum target goal.
On Tuesday the board will open its regular agenda with a presentation on the Solano County 2024 Index of Economic and Community Progress. The index, created by the Solano Economic Development Corporation, will outline the current position and future opportunities of the county’s business landscape.
“In 2024, Solano County saw notable economic progress across several key areas. The local labor force grew by approximately 800 individuals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, while employers added 1,600 new jobs,” the document reads. “Although the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.0%, it remained consistent with statewide trends. Housing prices rose modestly but are expected to ease in 2025, offering some relief to buyers.”
The board will also hold a meeting of the Montezuma, Suisun and Vacaville Fire Protection Districts, where supervisors will consider delegating the County Administrator authority to appoint an Interim Chief, as well as emergency purposes up to $250,000. The board will also consider a financial audit of each district over the past four years.
Supervisors will also decide on an updated version of the Farm Stand Policy that they have previously discussed, which could limit products sold by farm stands and categorize them by size.
“The size of your stand is measured by the gross floor area,” the staff report reads. “If the stand will be attached to a portion of a larger building, the farm stand shall be separated by a wall, and the size will be determined by measuring the gross floor area of the enclosed space.”
The board will also hear a presentation “providing further background on the City of Suisun City’s recent action to enter into a Reimbursement Agreement with California Forever LP.” Specifically, this portion of the meeting would affirm the county’s position against the proposed expansion from the city.
At the previous Board of Supervisors meeting, staff asked board members to vote to support the letter despite not placing the item on the meeting’s agenda. The letter asked the city to delay a reimbursement agreement with California Forever, but the city has already signed that agreement, an action it took just hours after the letter was sent.
The agenda explains that supervisors will be asked to “Establish the County’s position and direct staff to proceed accordingly that any expansion plans by the City should be brought forward through the County’s General Plan Update process based on the scale and scope of the plan referenced in the Reimbursement Agreement and the amount of unincorporated area under consideration.”
