title
Consider approval of the CY2026 budget for the Solano County Fair Association
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator's Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the CY2026 budget for the Solano County Fair Association.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Solano County Fair Association (SCFA) Board of Directors approved its CY2026 Budget on November 19, 2025, in accordance with the License and Operating Agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors on December 10, 2024, which requires SCFA to submit an annual budget by March 1st of each year to the County.
The CY2026 SCFA Budget projects $5,335,700 in revenues and $4,899,918 in expenditures, resulting in a net positive fund balance contribution of $435,782. Key revenue drivers include facility rentals (net of $654,566), electronic signage including anticipated sponsorships (net of $486,545), and non-Fair/interim attractions such as concerts (net of $216,900). The annual Fair is forecasted to operate at a net loss of $463,360, which is fully offset primarily by these other revenue sources.
The CY2026 Budget assumptions include conservative revenue estimates for concerts, lease increases, and AB 1499 sales tax. Staffing levels and capital expenses are adjusted to maintain core operations and support gradual reinvestment in infrastructure. An event originally planned for late 2025 has been moved to Spring 2026, and billboard lease negotiations are underway that may increase revenues not yet reflected in the budget.
The 2025 accounting year is not yet closed. An initial CY2025 budgeted surplus of $123,798 is now estimated as a year-end deficit of $43,875, driven primarily by the 2025 Fair, which generated just 40% of projected revenue while exceeding costs by 30%. The 2026 Fair Budget incorporates lessons learned with scaled-back programming, reduced expectations for admis...
Click here for full text