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Adopt a resolution establishing Solano County’s countywide appropriations limit of $974,946,584, the Consolidated County Service Area appropriations limit of $373,923, the East Vallejo Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,719,633, the Montezuma Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,827,206, Suisun Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,437,792, and Vacaville Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $2,591,638 for FY2026/27, and delegating authority to the Auditor-Controller to implement the most advantageous method for establishing the appropriations limit for FY2026/27
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Auditor-Controller’s Office (ACO) recommends the Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopt a resolution:
1. Establishing Solano County’s countywide appropriations limit of $974,946,584, the Consolidated County Service Area appropriations limit of $373,923, the East Vallejo Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,719,633 for FY2026/27; the Montezuma Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,827,206, Suisun Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $1,437,792, and the Vacaville Fire Protection District appropriations limit of $2,591,638 for FY2026/27 and
2. Delegating authority to the Auditor-Controller to implement the most advantageous method for establishing the appropriations limit for FY2026/27.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Under Government Code section 7910 and Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, each year the BOS shall, by resolution, establish its appropriations limit for the following fiscal year at a regularly scheduled meeting or noticed special meeting.
The County has the option to use either the growth of the California per capita personal income or the growth of the non-residential assessed valuation due to new construction within the County to establish the appropriations limit. The ACO has calculated the appropriations limits for the FY2026/27 based upon the California per capita personal income factor and the population growth rate, as set forth by the appropriations limit requirements. However, the BOS reserves the right to select the higher of the two methods in determining the appropriations limits and delegate the authority to the Auditor-Controller to implement the most advantageous method for establishing the appropriations limit for FY2026/27.
The appropriations limit, imposed by Propositions 4 and 111 (also known as the “Gann Limit”), restricts the amount of tax revenue which can be appropriated in any fiscal year. The appropriations limit is based on actual appropriations during FY1978/79 and is increased each year for the growth of population and inflation factors.
The inflation rate is defined as the “change in the cost-of-living.” There are two options for this rate. The County has the option to use either the growth of the California per capita personal income or the growth of the non-residential assessed valuation due to new construction within the County. Under Article XIIIB, the BOS must select by recorded vote, which change in the cost-of-living adjustment the County will use.
These limits were calculated using the growth of the California per capita personal income, as the information to calculate the new non-residential construction factor is not available until after July 1, 2026. However, the BOS reserves the right to select the higher of the two factors in determining which method to use in the calculation and not be bound by the per capita personal income factor. The BOS may delegate authority to the ACO to implement the most advantageous method for the County, once the local assessment roll data becomes available.
As provided in Attachments B and C, the calculated appropriations limits for FY2026/27 are as follows: Countywide Appropriations Limit $974,946,584; Consolidated County Service Area $373,923; East Vallejo Fire Protection District $1,719,633; Montezuma Fire Protection District $1,827,206; Suisun Fire Protection District $1,437,792; and Vacaville Fire Protection District $2,591,638.
During any fiscal year, the County and applicable special districts, with certain exceptions, may not appropriate any “proceeds of taxes” (as defined by law) in excess of their appropriations limit. Based on the FY2026/27 Recommended Budget, the estimated proceeds of taxes subject to the appropriations limit are as follows: Countywide $362,226,519; Consolidated County Service Area $269,214; East Vallejo Fire Protection District $842,937; Montezuma Fire Protection District $850,357; Suisun Fire Protection District $575,151; Vacaville Fire Protection District $2,019,937.
Therefore, the County, the Consolidated County Service Area, East Vallejo Fire Protection District, Montezuma Fire Protection District, Suisun Fire Protection District, and Vacaville Fire Protection District are not expected to exceed their appropriations limits for FY2026/27.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to the County for the adoption of the resolution to establish the countywide appropriations limit for Solano County and appropriations limits for the Consolidated County Service Area, East Vallejo Fire Protection District, Montezuma Fire Protection District, Suisun Fire Protection District, and Vacaville Fire Protection District for FY2026/27.
ALTERNATIVES:
The BOS has no other alternative but to adopt the appropriations limits since this is a constitutional law of the State of California.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel approved the attached resolution. The County Administrator’s Office concurs with the recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION