Folsom mayor highlights budget strain, public-safety gains and major projects in State of the City

Mayor Sarah Aquino, speaking at a special meeting of the Folsom City Council, delivered the city’s State of the City and said the city faces a constrained budget and “1,000,000 of dollars in needed infrastructure improvements,” while reporting notable public-safety results and several large development and transportation projects moving forward.

Aquino said the city’s general fund is “approximately $115,000,000” and that about 60% of the revenue comes from property and sales taxes; she told the audience property-tax growth remains strong at about 7% per year while sales-tax growth has flattened to about 2% per year. She told residents the council is looking at short- and long-term solutions, including sale of surplus property and activation of underused commercial sites.

The mayor said the city’s public-safety work has produced measurable results. “Our public safety personnel continue to provide exceptional service and deliver extraordinary results despite budget challenges and staffing shortages,” Mayor Sarah Aquino said. She described a regional police operation called “Folsom Blues” that led to 19 arrests, seizure of suspected drug money, and removal of what she described as 170,000 potentially lethal doses of fentanyl; the city reported a 60% reduction in fentanyl deaths last year.

Aquino described the creation of a homeless outreach team (HOT) after the council funded six additional officers the prior June. Since HOT launched in July, the mayor said it has received 774 calls for service, abated 33 illegal camps, made 97 arrests, issued 16 citations and attended 15 community meetings; HOT staff helped 10 people obtain housing and assisted five others with job support, DMV licenses, or veterans benefits, while 87 individuals declined offered services.

The mayor discussed fire and emergency medical services upgrades. She said the city opened Fire Station 34, which currently houses one engine and can accommodate a brush engine and an ambulance; the department is taking delivery of four new ambulances, a tiller truck and has ordered a new engine. The council budgeted a division chief of training position and continues a fire cadet/explorer program. Aquino said the city is piloting vegetation-management efforts including goat grazing and a parks-focused three-year program to remove ladder fuel. She also said the city is exploring a single-role paramedic staffing model for ambulances that “would allow for broader recruitment and save the city about 15% per employee hired.”

On economic development, Kim Menzel, senior vice president area manager for Kaiser Permanente, described an expansion near the Palladio that will add surgical suites, provider offices, a large urgent care clinic and expanded imaging and pharmacy services. Mayor Aquino noted construction has begun on an AC Marriott at the Palladio, and she said representatives from Intel told city leaders they intend to remain in Folsom while pursuing a buyer and a long-term leaseback for much of their campus.

The mayor outlined major projects and planning efforts. She said the city is awaiting a formal application for the proposed Folsom Ranch Sports and Entertainment Complex, which she described as a 250,000-square-foot facility on about 18 acres east of Prairie City Road with three NHL-sized ice rinks (including a 3,000-plus-seat arena) and a covered outdoor turf field. Aquino said the project is expected to attract about 1,300,000 visitors a year and generate “almost $1,000,000” in combined sales, property and hotel taxes. The mayor’s remarks included a timeline phrase for groundbreaking that appears garbled in the meeting transcript (the speaker used the year “2,006”); the transcript does not provide a clear, verifiable construction schedule.

Aquino said the Empire Ranch Road interchange project is in the Project Approval and Environmental Document phase and that Caltrans approval is expected this year, followed by a two-year design phase she said is fully funded. The mayor reported a construction-cost figure in the oral remarks that appears garbled in the record (the transcript lists “80,100,000,000”); the transcript therefore does not provide an unambiguous construction-cost amount, and the extent of funding remains only partially specified.

On parks, trails and capital projects, the mayor said the city used development-impact fees (not the general fund) to add seven miles of trail and open its 49th park, Prospector Park, and that work is under way on several roadway projects including repaving Blue Ravine Road, completing a triple-left turn at East Bidwell and Iron Point, and securing funding for phase 2 of the Folsom Lake Crossing median barrier.

Aquino closed by stressing the city’s water-supply planning and downtown visioning. She described a 50-year water-visioning initiative noting Folsom currently relies on Folsom Lake for 100% of its water supply and said the city is evaluating supply and infrastructure in light of warmer winters and drought. She also described central business district and river-district planning intended to increase walkability, mixed use and waterfront activity.

The mayor noted a personnel transition: the council unanimously selected Brian Weitmeier as the next city manager; she said his first day will be Monday, March 10. Dan Haverty was recognized as interim city manager. Aquino emphasized the council’s intent to address budget gaps and infrastructure needs while maintaining public-safety and community services.