Residents press board for countywide vote and scrutiny of 'California Forever' at public comment

Several members of the public used the general public comment period at the May 5 Solano County supervisors meeting to call for broader public input on the proposed California Forever project, a multi‑thousand‑acre development that speakers said would reshape the county’s land use and infrastructure needs.

Katherine Moy, identified as mayor of Fairfield and a candidate for District 3 supervisor, asked the board to place a countywide advisory ballot measure on California Forever so voters can weigh in. "Let the voters decide," Moy said, urging supervisors to agendaize a directive to staff to prepare a ballot question and a public debate with the District 3 supervisor.

Community members voiced similar concerns. Michael Jefferson described California Forever as "the largest proposed land use decision Solano County has ever faced," saying the conversion of roughly 20,000 acres of farmland would affect taxes, water supplies and the local farming economy and urged the board to put an advisory measure on the November ballot. Other public speakers alleged the project had used financial incentives to influence city decisions and cautioned that voters should have a direct say.

Speakers also linked the issue to past county measures, including the 1984 orderly growth initiative, which they said reflects voter expectations that major land conversions be decided at the ballot box.

Supervisors did not take immediate action on a countywide ballot request during the meeting; public speakers used the forum to register concerns and to request the board consider placing a measure on a future agenda.