Fairfield council authorizes $15.25M CFD bond tranche, OKs measures to raise sales tax and make city clerk appointive for November ballot

The Fairfield City Council approved several finance and governance items, including authorization to issue an additional $15,250,000 in Community Facilities District (CFD) bonds and to place two measures on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.

Finance Director John Furtado described the CFD action as a routine tranche to fund infrastructure in the 1 Lake planning area: “We are proposing to issue another $15,250,000 of debt, with the true interest cost around 5.16%,” he said, noting proceeds will fund streets, storm drains and a fire station within the district.

On ballot measures, Assistant City Manager Farbod Perusman presented a proposed ordinance to increase the city’s transactions and use tax (local sales tax) from 1% to 2% and to submit the measure to voters. Former Fire Chief Michael E. Smith and Measure P proponents urged the council to let voters decide, arguing local public-safety and service levels depend on securing local revenue. “We need to maintain the level of service that we currently provide,” Smith said.

The council voted to place the TUT increase on the November ballot. It also voted to present voters with a charter/municipal code change to convert the elected city clerk into an appointive position — a move supported during public comment by former elected clerk Arleta Courtright, who said the clerk’s duties have become highly technical and many California cities have appointed clerks.

Separately, the council adopted an Internet and telephonic service disruption policy to govern remote participation during meetings.