Vacaville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Vacaville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Centennial Park Bike Park via Landify Partnership
A French-backed company is building the Centennial Park bike park at zero cost to the city by importing clean construction dirt — but the timeline stretches to 2033, which disappointed commissioners.
Choosing a Path — Possible Sales Tax Measure
The city manager reported 450+ responses to a survey about a possible November 2026 revenue measure, with a community meeting set for March 19 at Three Oaks Community Center. No council decision has been made yet.
Youth Baseball and Softball Capacity Crunch
The council approved exclusive negotiating rights with a local group to study developing city-owned Nut Tree Park land near Browns Valley Parkway and Allison Drive. Neighbors and Solano County raised concerns about airport safety zones, traffic, and county involvement; any actual project would still require full entitlements and public hearings.
Police Budget Cuts
Vacaville's police are cutting a unit that helps the homeless to save cash and deal with fewer officers. This is part of a bigger city budget cut, and the police chief says more cuts could be coming.
VandenGate and Vanden Cove police/fire annexations
Two ordinances finalized special taxes funding police and fire services for the new Vandengate and Vanden Cove Phase 1 annexation areas.
Budget Cuts
The city is deficit spending and asking departments for another 2.5% in cuts. The city manager and her leadership team — including the city attorney and assistant city manager — voluntarily gave up their 2026 cost-of-living raises to lead by example.
Updated water and sewer construction standards
New standards make homeowners responsible for the sewer lateral from their house to the main — even under the street. Staff said it matches industry practice statewide, but repairs can run into the tens of thousands; an optional insurance program is being explored.
de Colores Park discussion
With the city deficit spending and cutting department budgets again, Fremouw pushed to reopen the de Colores Park decision. The project has about $16 million committed from Measure M, state grants, and bond/CDBG funds, with 90% of design done — but pulling back could risk losing grants. Council narrowly voted just to schedule a discussion.
Section 8 housing plan
Staff explained how affordable housing projects get financed through layered sources—tax credits, state and federal grants, and city contributions—and why funding gaps stall projects like Oak Grove Senior Apartments. Federal budget cuts and a constrained state budget are making competition for gap funding worse.
Strategic Plan and Reserve Policy Review
The council updated rules governing the city's emergency savings account, which helps protect services during downturns.
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance / Housing Trust Fund Question
Vacaville permitted 445 homes in 2025 and is outpacing neighbors, but nearly all are market-rate. Council members pressed staff on why affordable projects keep losing out on scarce state grants, and one resident urged the city to stop approving market-rate projects without affordability.
Housing as Economic Infrastructure
The presentation framed housing as economic policy: without affordable places to live, employers face turnover and regions lose competitiveness. Council members tied this to Solano County job losses—Anheuser-Busch, Valero, Jelly Belly—and debated whether jobs or housing come first.
Sphere of influence and county coordination
The city's municipal services review hit 350 comments from LAFCO and possible extra costs near $50,000. The council directed staff to negotiate an agreement with the county over unincorporated pockets inside Vacaville's sphere of influence — the groundwork for future annexations east of Leisure Town.
Battery energy storage regulation
The new ordinance bans lithium-ion battery chemistry in Vacaville, expands buffers around homes and schools to 500 feet, and requires cleanup bonds. It protects neighborhoods from fire and toxic-gas risks highlighted by the Moss Landing battery plant fire, while keeping the door open for safer battery technologies.
Southtown/Moody Housing Density Reduction
The city approved changing a 9.9-acre property at Leisure Town Road and Redstone Parkway from high-density residential to medium-density residential. This adjustment lowers the maximum potential housing units, shifting the neighborhood's future development profile.
Business License Tax Modernization
Consultants showed Vacaville collects far less business license tax per resident and business than peer cities, and presented two gross-receipts-based models that could add $1.6–$2.4 million a year. No decision was made; polling results come back February 10 and any change would need voter approval.
Battery Storage Plant Ordinance
Big battery storage plants are coming to Vacaville, and the city is trying to figure out the rules. Residents are worried about safety and where these massive facilities will be located, leading to some serious debates.
Utility Rate Increase
Your utility bills in Vacaville are about to get a lot more expensive. Starting in July, expect to pay almost 20% more for your water, sewer, and trash services. Better start saving up!
City Manager Appointment
Vacaville has a new city manager, Savita Chaudhary! She's taking the reins and will be making key decisions about the city's future. Get ready for some fresh leadership!
Cannabis Moratorium
Vacaville is hitting pause on new cannabis businesses and outdoor growing. The city council just voted to extend the moratorium, meaning no new dispensaries or backyard weed farms are allowed for now.