Fairfield · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fairfield public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City clerk position — elected to appointed
City Clerk Karen Rees announced she won't run again in 2028 and asked the council to put a measure on the November 2026 ballot making the clerk position appointed rather than elected.
2026 Building Permit Fee Update
The proposed fee study would cut most small homeowner permit fees — bathroom remodels drop 60% — while raising fees on large new construction by about 12-13%. Even with the increase, Fairfield's fees stay well below most nearby cities except Vacaville.
2026 Legislative Platform
The city's annual framework of priorities and policy positions for lobbying state and federal lawmakers was presented for adoption — it lets staff respond quickly when relevant bills surface.
City Manager compensation alignment
The city manager gets the same package recently negotiated for department directors: a 3% one-time payment, a small raise in exchange for reduced leave accrual, and a sick leave cap.
Naming rights for city facilities
The council wants to sell naming rights to the downtown theater and golf range to fund deferred maintenance, but first wants a more flexible policy with shorter terms and possibly Willow Hall added.
City Financial Condition and Deficit Spending
The annual audit came back clean, and the general fund deficit landed at about $4 million versus a projected $10 million — but the city is still deficit spending and expects to exhaust reserves within five years. The water fund lost $4.2 million after five years without rate increases.