Council adopts Visit Vacaville funding escalator, raises district assessment to 4%

The Vacaville City Council on Oct. 28 received the Visit Vacaville annual report and adopted a resolution to implement a funding escalator that raises the Visit Vacaville transitory occupancy district assessment from 3% to 4% and aligns contract payment dates and biannual audits.

Slater Matzke, the city's economic development manager, outlined the requested contract changes and said the board had approved the 1% increase to the Visit Vacaville district assessment, effective Nov. 1. Alyssa Perdini, president and CEO of Visit Vacaville, presented the group's 2024 economic snapshot: she said visitor spending generated $239,900,000 in direct economic impact and that overnight visitors now account for 36% of total visitor spending, up from 32.5% the prior year. Perdini described expanded digital campaigns, a new relocation guide aimed at incoming residents and targeted volunteer recruitment for upcoming events, including Taste of Vacaville and an ice‑plex partnership.

Councilmembers asked about volunteer age limits, partnerships with the Suisun Valley wine region and promotion to Travis Air Force Base arrivals; Visit Vacaville said volunteers 16 and older should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and that the organization is distributing relocation materials to the base.

Councilmember Ritchie moved and the motion was seconded; the council voted to approve the resolution.

Why it matters: the assessment increase is expected to provide Visit Vacaville with incremental marketing resources for visitor attraction and event support; Visit Vacaville said increased overnight stays and earned media coverage boost local spending that supports restaurants, retail and lodging.