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Receive an update on the Department of Resource Management, Planning Services Division’s FY2026/27 Work Plan for planning related projects and reports; and Provide direction on the proposed work plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Receive an update on the Department of Resource Management, Planning Services Division’s FY2026/27 Work Plan for planning related projects and reports; and
2) Provide direction on the proposed work plan.
SUMMARY:
The Planning Services Division FY2026/27 Work Plan (Attachment A) reflects continuing efforts to implement General Plan policies, advance the Board’s 2023 priorities, and address additional initiatives that have emerged through the Division’s responsibility for administering the County’s land use program. The proposed FY2026/27 Work Plan includes active tasks carried forward from the FY2024/25 Work Plan, the Board’s 2023 priorities, County Administrator’s Office directed initiatives, and State-mandated programs.
Additionally, Planning Services Division staff continue to evaluate potential zoning text amendments to support agriculture and agritourism in targeted areas of the County. While the Work Plan is intended to guide Division activities during FY2026/27, several initiatives are expected to extend beyond the fiscal year. Attachment A includes estimated staff hours to illustrate the Division's capacity constraints and facilitate discussion of proposed Work Plan priorities.
The Work Plan identifies projected workload demands that exceed current staffing capacity by approximately the equivalent of two limited-term Principal Planner full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. This reflects the combined staffing demands of the General Plan Update and related project activities, including potential work associated with major development proposals, should they proceed, and other anticipated long-range planning efforts. Resource Management will return to the Board as these efforts evolve to provide updated information and recommendations regarding staffing needs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Planning Services Division is supported by a mix of funding sources. The Planning Division FY2026/27 Working Budget totals approximately $4,776,546, including $1,000,000 for the General Plan Update, with approximately $955,309 (20%) offset by revenue derived from permit fees, charges for services provided by Planning Services Division staff, contracted professional services and federal and State grants. Recommended additional contract support will be funded through existing program funds and cost recovery mechanisms, where applicable. Core Division work priorities, such as ordinance updates, implementation of General Plan measures and providing public services at the counter and via phone, are primarily supported by the General Fund.
In addition, Planning Services Division staff support the Integrated Waste Programs and related initiatives that promote housing and energy efficiency efforts. These programs are funded through solid waste fees and support recycling and waste reduction activities. The Division has also refined discretionary project invoicing processes in coordination with administrative staff, resulting in an increase in cost recovery. For FY2026/27 and beyond, a project manager assigned to process permit applications may be necessary and if so, would be funded as a “pass-through” cost, with salary and benefits reimbursed by the developer.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2026/27 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Planning Services Division Overview
The Planning Services Division is one of seven operational divisions within the Department of Resource Management, which also includes Building and Safety Services, Environmental Health Services, Parks and Recreation, Public Works (Operations and Engineering), Administrative Services and Delta/Water. The Division includes a Planning Program Manager, 12 planners, two CivicSpark Fellows, an Office Assistant II and contract planning support for specialized planning services in the unincorporated areas of the County (Attachment C). Contract planners are also utilized for specialized work, including Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) compliance and environmental review of complex applications.
FY2024/25 Work Plan Accomplishments
Key efforts completed under the FY2024/25 Work Plan include development and adoption of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) ordinance and adoption of the Sign Code Update; implementation of the Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (WELO) and program; continued operation of the Integrated Waste Management Program; monitoring ongoing home rehabilitation construction projects; and evaluation of the Home Acres Fund to identify opportunities to leverage resources and support housing, neighborhood safety and economic development in the area. A summary of the Planning Services Division’s notable accomplishments since 2022 is provided in Attachment B.
The Division partnered with UC Davis Cooperative Extension to develop a farm stand brochure to streamline permitting and support agritourism, and created a special events permitting brochure, both of which are posted on the County's website. The Division continues to support the Strategic Initiative for Agriculture effort with the Department of Agriculture, as part of a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) program grant, to collaborate with the County Administrator’s Office on affordable housing initiatives, and to advance efforts related to Williamson Act standards review and economic development. Current efforts also include implementation of Housing Element programs.
FY2026/27 Work Plan
The Planning Services Division FY2026/27 Work Plan reflects ongoing efforts to implement adopted plans and advance priorities identified during the Board of Supervisors' April 18, 2023, priority-setting session. Planning activities support four of the Board's five priority categories: Economic Development, Agricultural Preservation and Development, Housing, and County Regulations and Policies, and address 14 of the Board's 20 priorities.
The Work Plan was developed after evaluating the Division's ongoing commitments, existing project backlogs, and core responsibilities, including public counter services and permit processing. It identifies 39 consolidated tasks across five program areas and reflects current staffing capacity and anticipated workload.
Core Operations: Most Division capacity is dedicated to day-to-day responsibilities, including development review, permitting, code compliance, customer service, implementation of adopted plans, and State-mandated programs. These activities represent the Division's primary workload and limit capacity for additional initiatives without reprioritizing existing work.
General Plan Update and Long-Range Planning: Long-range planning efforts will focus on the required updates the General Plan which may include establishing a County Utilities Master Plan. This work also includes assessing unincorporated interchange areas to support economic development, and incorporating ongoing planning efforts such as the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Grant and One Water Framework.
Regulatory Updates and Economic Development: Staff will continue implementing the Pleasants Valley Overlay Study and evaluating zoning code amendments to support agriculture, agritourism, rural land uses, economic development, housing, and emerging land use issues, including developing an ordinance for hyperscale data centers.
State-Mandated Programs and Regional Responsibilities: The Division will continue administering State-mandated integrated waste, recycling, and organics reduction programs, managing solid waste collection contracts, administering the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) Program, and providing staff support to the Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and Solano County Housing Authority.
Administrative Improvements: Administrative efforts will focus on improving the development review process through enhanced customer service, expanded use of Accela and DigiPlan for permit processing, improved public communication tools, and continued refinement of internal business processes.
The FY2026/27 Work Plan will require continued prioritization throughout the fiscal year. As new priorities emerge or major projects advance, Resource Management will return to the Board, as appropriate, with recommendations regarding workload adjustments, contract support, or staffing resources necessary to maintain core service levels.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may approve the FY2026/27 Work Plan as presented or provide direction to modify priorities, add or remove work items, or adjust the sequencing of activities.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION