[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6455792,"mediaKeyId","5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9","parentId",5744754,"title","Vacaville council authorizes $350,000 cap to fund voter surveys and education for possible tax measures","audioSeconds",3449,"startMs",1799000,"endMs",5248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9&start=1799&end=5248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9/thumbnail_1799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455792/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Vacaville-council-authorizes-350000-cap-to-fund-voter-surveys-and-education-for-possible-tax-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455792-d597a82678f7cb5ff6ac0b944acb0c0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639681&Signature=aagulftZBb1h2lS15dc0l4g34SDHeAS9Eo9prtSC4kfBil~Ws-ukGhXI3xNywmibX4Drt8QqOIrqkz6GpALD0dw3qPBUkZ3~wVe-6toFbRpKbUhVRCMqE2jkdl4Rzc7cG4w0bDSw~OSkM~eJYJ3D0Nl0-h591ZyZJv3FLiX--jLPwrg1Z2IGGYH9P1QtVHA7ZTu8W7wL3Of5xn3rC0b7LOVnH55ZCvffd1I5LMMjW1GaYS3vgIr6FIkN4pEocTTz2xcrI0qRptBCFIQ5xrBbrXezzAJK7G73xD3h0pLwTHT0fOvz175EIDADqZpAdm4pWt2fPjjkVwc734Cf6j6urw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Vacaville","date","2025-09-09T21:53:48Z","article","The Vacaville City Council on Sept. 9 authorized the city manager to publish a request for proposals for voter opinion surveys and public-education services to test and, if warranted, prepare possible ballot measures to increase the city's sales tax, transient-occupancy tax and business license tax. Council approved a one-time fiscal-year 2025-26 augmentation for the effort of up to $350,000; the motion passed 5-2.

City staff framed the request as a response to a projected structural general-fund deficit. \"If we don't take action to either reduce expenses or increase revenue or a combination of both, we will continue to deplete the reserve,\" Georgianne, a city staff presenter, told the council. Finance staff provided a multi-year forecast showing reserves declining if revenues remain at recent low growth rates.

Why it matters: Staff told council the city faces roughly a $9 million annual shortfall under current projections and has been using reserves and one-time savings to balance recent budgets. The proposed RFP is intended to produce statistically valid polling, outreach materials, and a phased education plan so the council can decide whether to place one or more measures on the November 2026 ballot and, if so, in what form.

What staff presented: Ken, identified as the finance presenter, said Vacaville's revenue growth has slowed substantially and that the city used reserves and expense reductions in recent budget cycles to stay balanced. Staff said current options under consideration include:
- A sales-tax increase (general-purpose sales tax). Vacaville's total combined retail sales tax rate is 8.125%; staff said the city currently receives about 1.75 percentage points of that total (the remainder goes to state and other local funds). Staff estimated a half-point (0.5%) city sales-tax increase could generate on the order of $14 million annually, based on prior studies and local data. Staff also said roughly half of Vacaville's sales-tax receipts come from out-of-town shoppers, an estimate staff will refine.
- A change to the transient-occupancy tax (TOT), the tax applied to hotel and lodging bills. Staff described the components of the current local rate and noted Visit Vacaville's hotel-assessment program is also changing.
- A business-license tax modernization, moving from the city's employee-count model toward a gross-receipts model. The city has started a study with consultant HDL to model options and impacts on small businesses and expects that work back to council in December.

Staff said all three measures would require simple-majority voter approval to pass if placed on the ballot. Staff also told the council of the direct administrative costs of placing measures on a county ballot: roughly $0.50 per registered voter per measure (based on the registrar's current estimate), which staff estimated as a substantial administrative cost to put measures on the November 2026 county ballot. The city currently has about 62,537 registered voters, staff said.

What the $350,000 would buy: The RFP would select a consultant to design and administer statistically valid polls, craft outreach and education materials, run community meetings, maintain a dedicated webpage and social-media/informational campaign, and provide advice on ballot-language drafting and campaign timing. Staff characterized $350,000 as a not-to-exceed estimate informed by costs in nearby cities and said the actual contract would be negotiated and presented to council when a vendor is selected.

Council debate and public comment: Speakers at the meeting voiced a range of views. Supporters said the city needs to gather reliable data now and that informed outreach raises the chance the council will put only measures that can pass. Skeptical council members and public commenters said $350,000 is a large outlay while the city is deficit-spending and urged alternatives such as using internal staff or phasing the effort. Georgianne and Ken said staff lacked the specific polling expertise required for valid, defensible results.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the motion to publish the RFP and authorize the augmentation by roll call, 5-2. Vote record provided in the actions[] section below. If the council meets direction, staff said they would publish the RFP by the end of the month, select a vendor in the fall, conduct an initial survey in early 2026 and a second survey after education efforts; any decision to place measures on the November 2026 ballot would return to council for a final determination and ballot-title submission.

Quotations:
\"We're not asking you tonight to make a decision about moving any of these tax measures forward, but we will ask you to make a decision on authorizing the city manager to release a request for proposals,\" Georgianne said during the presentation.
\"Our revenue growth has slowed down substantially,\" Ken said during the budget recap.

Ending: Staff will return with the RFP responses, negotiated contract terms and a proposed timeline. Council members said they expect to see modeling of household-level impacts, the business-license study results and polling cross-tabs before making any final ballot decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/09/2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Vacaville City Council on Sept. 9 authorized the city manager to publish an RFP for voter surveys and public education for possible increases to the sales tax, TOT and business-license tax, and approved a one-time budget augmentation of up to $350,000.","taxTitle","Vacaville City, Solano County, California","taxId",3924,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455777,"Council backs Mason Street warming center for upcoming season and asks staff for broader homeless action plan",3396,7382000,10778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9&start=7382&end=10778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9/thumbnail_7382000.jpg","/articles/6455777/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Council-backs-Mason-Street-warming-center-for-upcoming-season-and-asks-staff-for-broader-homeless-action-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455777-a9433412a88a8b198e7b351db2090bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639681&Signature=hh4X1CI3tJbOAz7~RWPV~EUgGsXWCoq8wcGBBfDXL8ERxBEnpnacpQbd18cNulldWa-KfpfCubOZ4Xu0CFfI4TasqT1YCEcTpzoXnAjjt-JMW3OoEeK7aykv~yq197-vufuroE7KDuAOVVFZInsE4xK5V23Q7QphvmgU5GRiI0TXvoxpOkWqLkdMcP3dpS3nB7kRTQf6KZ9NLYpB7vdmP6ih2H~xCIPxnOdyfAfz2a64DFn1ZkaWPs6EdFMOaeyTpstbp9-DSXHR5hOd7hS7gCCGjUZgT4U9NxD3zGDoizk4rtIF5M7tI-Z0bJ60ZXqGzMIfwNu~~0wkg2MG1YDuVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vacaville City Council voted Sept. 9 to designate the former Greyhound bus depot at 1040 Mason Street as the city's warming center for the upcoming cold season and directed staff to continue coordinating security, custodial services and transportation for activations. Council members also asked staff to develop a broader homeless action plan and to return with a report from the Joint Powers Authority and other stakeholders in October.

Background and triggers: Staff said the city previously used the Mason Street site for warming-center activations in two winter seasons. The triggers for activation are described in the city's extreme-weather annex: temperatures at or below 32 degrees for two consecutive days (including wind chill) or at or below 40 degrees with a forecast of four or more hours of heavy rain.

Operations and funding: Sergeant Stephanie from the Police Department outlined operational ties between the city's Community Response Unit (crew), faith-based navigators, public-works and parks and recreation staff. Council was told the city initially allocated $50,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the warming center; staff reported about $17,000 of those funds remained. Staff said community centers (e.g., McBride, Eulattice) could be used as alternatives but pose programming, security and monitoring challenges. Staff also discussed but did not recommend FEMA trailers for this season, citing cost and utility-connection issues.

Public comment and council discussion: Homeless advocates and community members urged the council to preserve the Mason Street option for the short term while the city develops longer-term solutions, and some urged stronger case-management services tied to any shelter option. Several council members called for a dedicated study session and for staff to convene a local roundtable of stakeholders (city staff, faith-based groups, advocates and regional partners) to build a comprehensive plan.

Vote and next steps: By roll call vote the council approved using Mason Street for the upcoming season; Councilmember Stockton recorded a No vote on the location (he indicated support for broader planning). Staff will return Oct. 14 with an update from the regional JPA and pursue a more detailed homeless action plan, including funding options and a recommended timeline.

Ending: Council signaled support for a multi-pronged approach: keep the short-term activation option available this winter at Mason Street while staff develops a multi-stakeholder, longer-term plan to expand services and housing-focused interventions.","The council approved use of the former Greyhound building at 1040 Mason Street as the warming center for the coming winter season, directed staff to continue partnerships and security arrangements, and asked housing staff to develop a broader homeless action plan and return with additional briefings and a JPA update in October.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455782,"Council extends Downtown Vacaville BID management agreement while consultants study long-term funding",1150,6586000,7736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9&start=6586&end=7736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9/thumbnail_6586000.jpg","/articles/6455782/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Council-extends-Downtown-Vacaville-BID-management-agreement-while-consultants-study-long-term-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455782-832740e5e47a8dd0fd1844a3b2553ad9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639681&Signature=Vc6luZq9vJ2EA-r4YT6xYYyH073IKh~jFB5b-WB3Yy9BJf45oHK7FDveE7vCK0P844QA6lgXFEOFIGAxB5kI6mo~bahnssY29fUL6Y0oU9QoqxnfAzUAAJBALmFW00thPWXjMbD2u7-e823S0lk-B9raYvpzhJOco0SmlSgyDq4aKgKC4M0iMkHFgBL-X1I5JOaTqY5k6B8C3CGsHlkt~sI5vUZSDiQLmRIfmr0X-MoGXIR2HBQQf8Y5JJNzj7k2Icef8AhJcDaPBmTi~1H6KsKUbjRabxFTBkBVkGskJ5dNUfWbzNuUT6Vl7uTezqHKcTMv1f7NEauQW6U0F44cew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vacaville City Council on Sept. 9 approved a second amendment to extend the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District (BID) management agreement through March 10, 2026. Staff said the extension will provide time for additional analysis and a consultant study of alternative funding and governance models, including a property-based improvement district (PBID) or a community-benefit improvement district (CBID).

Background: Downtown Vacaville's BID recently lost key staff: the office assistant and the executive director both resigned, leaving the board to manage day-to-day operations. City staff and the BID's \"big four\" partners (the city, the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, Visit Vacaville and the Downtown Vacaville BID) reviewed options and engaged with the California Main Street Organization and New City America to evaluate structural solutions.

What staff said: Don Burris, the city's director of economic development services, described the timeline staff envisions if the council approves further study: a feasibility analysis and property-owner survey beginning in October, steering-committee formation and outreach through late fall, finalizing survey results in November-December, and a written report with implementation recommendations in January. New City America, which staff said has deep experience with PBIDs and BID management across California, is scheduled to present a scope of work to council in a future meeting.

Why it matters: Staff said the BID's current funding, which includes city-collected assessments and a city fee-for-service, is not sufficient to stabilize operations long term. A PBID or CBID would assess property owners within the downtown to create a more reliable revenue stream; a CBID is a hybrid that can combine property-owner assessments with other assessments.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the second amendment by roll call vote (unanimous). Staff will return with New City America on Sept. 23 to present a scope and a more detailed schedule for feasibility work. The actions[] section below lists the formal motion and vote.

Ending: The extension gives staff and the BID time to complete outreach and analysis; council will evaluate consultant findings before deciding whether to proceed with a PBID or CBID formation process.","The council approved a second amendment extending the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District management agreement through March 2026 to allow time for a feasibility study and a consultant review of potential property-based or community-benefit districts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455787,"Vacaville Chamber reports membership growth; council approves $61,800 membership agreement",1327,5256000,6583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9&start=5256&end=6583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744754-18a15c1f780d43bf9dd642449155e9e9/thumbnail_5256000.jpg","/articles/6455787/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Vacaville-Chamber-reports-membership-growth-council-approves-61800-membership-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455787-84e2060a768e9dafb773066dbd94ce5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639681&Signature=GegYNYHCDPEykuzv13H~OOAYTlOpd3qw~vuqJyNMLKk7GJPc887bgwg~K9jpFeuy2qni-IkaRwU1mjneSbX~IX2USRbu4DkS~2YuWJOJPs9gC33VkNU5R9UGDywSPvPgVOleBcPoI1lXs~h8VfQgaBXJsKyCWskvvAnRqL3hrVL93C~ZliSgoV-AZq2A4uxIJFzOLjHTMKONqwEWCzvmsTNomykrJeNt7TsROMTo53Dr7Ylij8fQNyxGrHQIM2nwLnqv80MJgyLScqdAvoa70TZJhhh0qp8cEwD12m00C3~~97cfGLWM6I7kiK69XcVKShvnXOApLS9ITAYKAds4ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vacaville City Council received the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce's 2024-25 annual report, approved the chamber's 2025-26 program of work and authorized payment of $61,800 for membership and services. The motion to accept the report and approve the fee passed unanimously.

Chamber president and CEO Matt Pulsipher told the council the organization's membership increased since June: the chamber reported 483 members at June 30 and said membership had grown to about 503 at the time of the presentation. Pulsipher highlighted programs supported by the city agreement, including workforce-development efforts, the Launchpad entrepreneurship event, leadership programming and an initiative that uses ARPA funding to promote local small-business opportunities.

Don Burris, the city's director of economic development services, presented the staff report and introduced Pulsipher. Pulsipher described the chamber as a 501(c)(6) membership organization focused on marketing, advocacy, networking and leadership development for local businesses. He said the chamber's Launchpad event grew from 69 registrants in 2023 to 104 in 2024 and that the chamber expected additional growth in 2025.

Council members praised the chamber's member outreach and programs. Council discussion touched on workforce development, the chamber's scholarship program and outreach metrics; Pulsipher said the chamber would provide additional information, including an employee-count estimate of the membership base, in follow-up communications.

Vote: The council moved, seconded and approved the staff recommendation by roll call; all members recorded \"yes.\" The action and vote details appear in the actions[] section below.

Ending: The council directed staff to proceed with the membership payment and accepted the chamber's program of work for 2025-26.","The council accepted the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce's 2024-25 annual report, approved its 2025-26 program of work and authorized payment of a $61,800 membership and services fee to the chamber.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vacaville council authorizes $350,000 cap to fund voter surveys and education for possible tax measures

Council backs Mason Street warming center for upcoming season and asks staff for broader homeless action plan

Council extends Downtown Vacaville BID management agreement while consultants study long-term funding

Vacaville Chamber reports membership growth; council approves $61,800 membership agreement