Dear Residents of Solano County,

On behalf of the Solano County Board of Supervisors and County staff, we are proud to present our 2024 Annual Report. Our commitment remains steadfast in providing residents with programs and services that foster resilience, self-sufficiency, and maintain local control, while ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives, works, learns, and plays in Solano County.

In January, First 5 Solano, in collaboration with Child Start and the Solano County Office of Education, purchased the former Beverly Hills Elementary School in Vallejo to establish California’s first Multi-Agency Early Learning Center, set to open in June 2026. The center will provide early care and education for children from infancy to preschool, serving families of all income levels and offering more than 300 childcare slots.

In October, the Board of Supervisors held a follow-up to their 2023 priority setting session to have an in-depth discussion on next steps for its priorities of Economic Development and Agriculture Preservation and Development. The Board confirmed that Economic Development in unincorporated areas was a strategic goal to ensure the future health of the County and its residents and discussed ways to plan for future growth.

In November, the Registrar of Voters successfully hosted the 2024 Presidential Election, collaborating with community groups that helped observe, volunteer, and distribute important voter information. Nearly 270,000 ballots were issued, with 71.3% of registered voters participating, through a combination of mail-in ballots, drop-off boxes, and in-person voting at one of the County’s 70 polling places. The ROV certified the election results in early December, concluding another secure and successful election cycle.

In December, the Board of Supervisors held the 18th Annual Centenarian Commemoration event, celebrating 44 local centenarians living in Solano County. With over 4,450 years of combined life experience, our centenarians, who include veterans, community leaders, and beloved family members, offer invaluable perspectives on living long and healthy lives. Each centenarian received a commemorative yearbook and video as part of the celebration.

As we reflect on 2024, we take pride in a year filled with significant achievements—too many to detail here. We bid farewell to Supervisor Erin Hannigan and welcome Supervisor-Elect Cassandra James to the Board. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated employees, community partners, the seven cities, and Travis Air Force Base for their contributions in making Solano County a wonderful place to live, learn, work, and play.

Sincerely,
Mitch Mashburn, District 5 Supervisor and Chair of the Board
Bill Emlen, Solano County Administrator

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STEWARDSHIP OF OUR COMMUNITY
The Board of Supervisors makes strategic investments in programs, services and infrastructure improvements for County residents of today and tomorrow.

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP RESOURCE FAIRS
This summer,  Health & Social Services, Public Health, Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health bureau, in collaboration with La Clinica de la Raza, First 5 Solano, Partnership HealthPlan of California, Kaiser Permanente, Solano County Library, Help Me Grow, Touro University, and Park-it Market, hosted the Kindergarten Round-Up in Vallejo and the Kindergarten Resource Fair in Fairfield. These events provided over 170 families with essential services, including developmental and dental screenings, backpacks, and fresh produce. Additionally, more than 70 families received mandatory physicals and vaccinations for children entering kindergarten, ensuring they were well-prepared for the school year.

WIC PROGRAM EXPANDS SERVICES
In June, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program served 9,411 clients, exceeding its funded caseload by 103 percent. Since launching an online pre-screening form in April 2020, promoted through social media and Facebook ads, 1,578 families have been pre-screened for WIC services. Due to the growing demand for WIC benefits, Solano County received additional funding to expand services and better support the increasing number of clients.

HONORING OUR OLDEST LIVING RESIDENTS
For 18 years the Solano County Board of Supervisors has been honoring the County’s oldest living residents, our Centenarians.  In December, at their regular meeting, the Board celebrated the lives of 44 Centenarians and their families.  The celebration included the adoption of a resolution proclaiming the week of December 1-7, 2024 as Centenarian Week in Solano County, a video montage showcasing the lives of these incredible individuals and the presentation of a commemorative yearbook.  If you know a Centenarian living in our community, nominate them to be honored by the Board by emailing [email protected].  See the video and yearbook at
www.ISSUU.com/SolanoCounty and @CountyOfSolano.

MAKING MEANINGFUL INVESTMENTS WITH ARPA FUNDS
Solano County’s investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds continues to support and impact the community in meaningful ways, including investing APRA dollars in career development training, park upgrades, digital literacy initiatives, and housing for behavioral health clients. In 2024, the County provided more than 30 loans to small businesses through the Biz-Grow revolving loan fund, distributed 58 grants of $5,000 each to agricultural businesses, and launched the new OCHIN Epic Electronic Health Record System for Family Health Services. Since the program’s implementation in 2022, more than 150,000 households have accessed emergency food resources, and over 1,000 local small businesses have received advisory services to help them grow. Additionally, the County successfully met the U.S. Treasury’s deadline for fully obligating its $86 million in ARPA funding, ensuring that all funds remain within Solano County to benefit the local community.

H&SS, PUBLIC HEALTH, VITAL STATISTICS PROGRAM
In 2024, the Vital Statistics program remained a cornerstone of community service, providing reliable and essential support throughout the year. The program issued 2,072 birth certificates, ensuring that new community members had their vital records securely documented. It also processed 19,868 death certificates, offering timely and compassionate assistance to grieving families. Additionally, the team facilitated 5,054 burial permits, demonstrating their efficiency and responsiveness in managing end-of-life arrangements with care and professionalism.

SOLANO PARKS WELCOMES 222,000+ VISITORS
In 2024, Solano County Parks expanded public access by increasing the number of County-operated parks from four to five, effectively doubling the miles of trails within the County system. The five parks now include Lake Solano Park and Campground, Sandy Beach Park and Campground, Belden’s Landing Boat Launch, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, and the newly opened Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park, which opened in August 2024. Together, these parks welcomed over 220,000 visitors from across Solano County, and as far away as Europe and Asia. Visitors engaged in a variety of activities, including camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, personal watercraft, motorized boating, and wildlife observation. For more information about Solano County Parks and planning your visit, visit www.SolanoCounty.com/Parks.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Solano County strives to provide programs and services for our residents that use taxpayer dollars responsibly and sustainably.

BOARD ADOPTS A BALANCED BUDGET
On June 20, 2024, the Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive and balanced budget of more than $1.62 billion that includes a combination of funding from State and federal revenue sources and includes awarded grants, and local revenues from fees for services, interest income, various tax revenues; including property tax, business license fees, and a small amount of sales tax collected in the unincorporated areas of the County, making us financially positioned to provide the programs and services necessary to help Solano County residents thrive.

POPULAR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
The Auditor-Controller’s Office (ACO) issued a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.  The PAFR, also known as the Citizen’s Report, focuses on the financial results of the County in a condensed, easily understandable format for those without a background in public finance. The source of the data is the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the PAFR is intended to complement the ACFR.  The ACO has submitted the PAFR to the Government Finance Officers Association for consideration of an award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Financial Reporting. At this time the Department is still waiting to see if they have been selected for the award again this year. In the meantime, you can view the document by visiting the ACO website at www.SolanoCounty.com/Depts/Auditor and select the “finance documents” link from the drop down menu.

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AWARD
The Government Finance Officers Association awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the County of Solano and the Auditor-Controller’s Office for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.  This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.  The attainment of this award represents a significant accomplishment by the County, the Auditor-Controller’s Office and all county management, and recognizes the County’s ACFR for achieving transparency and full disclosure in financial reporting.  This recognition is viewed as a positive factor by credit rating agencies and by others interested in the professionalism of a government’s finance function.

CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER’S AWARD
The Auditor-Controller’s Office received the State Controller’s Award for Achieving Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.  This award recognizes the County for submitting an accurate and timely financial report in accordance with criteria established by the State Controller. Counties must follow the eligibility criteria specified by the State Controller such as timely submission of the report and county budget, proper classification of revenue and expenditure data, and complete and proper reporting of outstanding debt.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Solano County is committed to the improvement of health and wellness of all those who live, learn, work and play in our community.

PROBATION INVESTS IN FUTURE LEADERS
The Solano County Probation Department remains committed to serving the court, clients, and community with dedication. This year, the Department focused on developing its leadership through specialized training on outward leadership, which emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and collective success over individual goals. By fostering this mindset, supervisors and managers are better equipped to inspire and support their teams, strengthen community ties, and drive positive change. This investment reflects the Department’s commitment to cultivating leaders who serve with integrity and share a vision for a safer, more resilient community.

COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR VETERANS
Solano County is home to Travis Air Force Base, 34,000 veterans and 90,000 of their dependents.  The Solano County Veteran Service Office (VSO) filed more than 3,100 benefit claims in  FY2023-2024, resulting in more than $14.7 million of federal and state dollars coming into the community.  Visit the Solano County VSO at SolanoCounty.com/Veterans and by calling (707) 784-6590 for more information, to learn more about the programs and services and to make an appointment.

REPRESENTATIVE GARAMENDI PRESENTS CHECK
Congressman John Garamendi, joined by his legislative team, visited the First 5 Center in Vallejo to present a $500,000 check in support of the Vallejo Early Learning Center Project. During the visit, Congressman Garamendi was welcomed by First 5 Solano staff, District 1 representatives, members of the First 5 Solano Commission, and Child Start. This significant funding underscores the federal commitment to advancing early childhood education and strengthening the community’s resources for families and young children.

SUSTAINING SOLANO PROJECT
Backed by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Library’s Sustaining Solano Project introduced a series of innovative outdoor field trips and events that connected families with nature and sustainable living practices. In collaboration with local farms and open spaces, participants took part in a range of activities, including vegan cooking classes, gardening fairs, visits to bird rescue centers, and more. Additionally, the project launched seed libraries at library branches, providing a hands-on approach to sustainability and strengthening community engagement with environmental stewardship.

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
On April 25, 2024, in observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Vacaville and Fairfield Police Departments, hosted a Moment of Reflection to honor victims and survivors of crime. District Attorney Krishna Abrams praised their resilience, courage, and strength, noting that victims’ stories are often overlooked in the focus on defendants’ rights. Arlena Moran (pictured above), a former domestic violence victim turned advocate, shared her deeply personal journey of survival, recounting the challenges she faced with her young children and how she overcame them.

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT INTERCEPTS PESTS
In 2024, the Solano County Agriculture Department’s High-Risk Pest Exclusion Program intercepted over 90 exotic pests at shipping parcel terminals, ranking sixth in the state for pest detections. These interceptions help prevent the introduction of invasive pests that could harm agriculture, native species, and local environments. Agricultural Biologists inspected 9,000 plant shipments across 500 terminal visits, issuing nearly 300 rejection notices for pest and quarantine violations. Additionally, the Department made significant progress in eradicating the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter from Vacaville, with a downward trend, only trapping five since 2021.

CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES WINS PROGRAM AWARD
In April, the Child Support Directors Association (CSDA) awarded Solano County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) the Innovation in the Child Support Program Award for its successful Flexible Case Management Program. This pilot program has gained recognition for its effectiveness, prompting other counties to seek guidance from Solano County on its approach. Solano County DCSS supervisors have provided virtual training sessions, sharing insights and best practices with these counties. Recently, the California Department of Child Support Services (CA DCSS) formally requested Solano County DCSS to extend its expertise by sharing the program’s processes and procedures with additional counties.

IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
The Department of Resource Management, with coordination from the Board of Supervisors, in response to the growing demand for renewable energy, is taking a leadership role in regulating battery energy storage systems (BESS). The Board of Supervisors enacted Ordinance No. 2024-1852-U, which temporarily halts new commercial BESS projects to allow for a comprehensive study of best practices and safe implementation. A draft ordinance, currently under review, aims to establish rigorous guidelines for the siting and operation of BESS facilities. The next steps include technical working group sessions and a public workshop in early 2025, providing an opportunity for the community to offer input on this evolving and challenging land use issue.

PRESERVING OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
In 2024, Solano County, with coordination by the Department of Resource Management, took a significant step in preserving its agricultural heritage with the adoption of the Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance. This innovative policy establishes clear and consistent regulations to mitigate the loss of farmland amid development, ensuring that agricultural land remains protected. By directing growth toward already developed areas, the ordinance safeguards the long-term viability and productivity of the county’s agricultural industry, balancing household and economic growth with the preservation of valuable farmland.

PARKROSE PERMANENT SUPPORTING HOUSING FACILITY
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of the 52-unit, 28,000 square-foot facility formerly known as Parkrose Gardens, located on 1.75 acres at 1095 E. Tabor Ave. in Fairfield. The property includes a commercial kitchen, dining facility, and both indoor and outdoor community spaces. The purchase, totaling $6.25 million, plus administrative and closing costs, is funded through $7.32 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA), with the remaining balance allocated to future renovation costs. Additionally, up to $3.6 million in ARPA interest funds will be designated for renovation expenses. The property is currently being used by Archways Recovery Services as a Residential Substance Use Disorder facility, and will soon be converted into Permanent Supportive Housing units.

HABITAT RESTORATION MILESTONE
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the Department of Resource Management, in coordination with the California Department of Water Resources, marked a significant milestone with a levee breaching ceremony for the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project in Solano County. Spanning more than 3,300 acres in the Cache Slough region, this groundbreaking initiative reached a major achievement with its first levee breach, advancing restoration efforts. The project not only enhances flood protection for surrounding communities and infrastructure, adding over 40,000 acre-feet of flood storage, but also restores vital habitat in the Delta, supporting ecological resilience and sustainability.

PROMOTING ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION
In 2024, the Solano Oral Health Education Program provided vital oral health services to students in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Child Start, and Early Head Start across Solano County. The program conducted screenings for 609 students, administered fluoride varnish to 305, and completed 295 Kindergarten Oral Health Assessments (KOHA). Additionally, 910 students participated in educational lessons on oral health, promoting better habits and awareness from an early age.

SMARTER PLANNING WITH GIS TECHNOLOGY
The Department of Resource Management, planning division, has enhanced the County’s General Plan and Zoning GIS layers using advanced GIS technology, significantly improving efficiency and accessibility of property based information for staff and the public. In addition, the division has adopted ArcGIS Urban, an innovative GIS-based tool that offers in-depth insights into the potential impacts of development projects. With ArcGIS Urban, the division can now better analyze critical factors such as water usage, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and future job creation, streamlining the alternatives analysis for the General Plan Update. This tool supports Solano County’s goal of fostering sustainable growth. Explore it here: https://solanocountygis.com/portal/home/.

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