Vacaville, CA

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FAQ
Community Questionnaire

Community Services & Funding Questionnaire

The City of Vacaville is seeking community input to better understand which City services residents consider essential and how they view funding those services.

This questionnaire is provided for informational and planning purposes only. It is intended to help the City evaluate service priorities, understand public awareness of City finances, and inform future public discussions. The questionnaire does not advocate for or against any ballot measure, tax increase, or City Council action.

All responses are voluntary and confidential. Questionnaire results may be summarized and shared publicly to support City planning and transparency.

This communication is consistent with California Government Code section 54964, which permits local agencies to provide information on City services, finances, and potential revenue options.

What We’re Asking and Why

Why is the City conducting this questionnaire?

The City of Vacaville provides a wide range of services that residents rely on every day—from public safety and emergency response to road maintenance, parks, and community programs. Like many California cities, Vacaville faces rising costs related to inflation, which impact services, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness.

This questionnaire helps the City:

Understand which services residents consider most essential
Learn how residents prioritize services if funding becomes constrained
Gauge awareness of City finances
Explore how residents think about different funding approaches

What types of questions are included?

The questionnaire asks residents about:

Essential services (what matters most)
Protection from cuts (what should be preserved first)
Satisfaction with current service levels
Awareness of City’s financial conditions
General views on funding options, including a small local sales tax
Accountability and transparency measures
Shopping patterns that help the City understand how sales tax impacts the community

Why ask about a local sales tax?

Sales tax is one of several tools cities may consider to fund essential services. It is paid by both residents and visitors, remains under local control, and can be dedicated to maintaining services the community relies on.

Asking about a sales tax does not mean the City has decided to pursue one. The question is included to help City leaders understand public sentiment as part of long-term planning.

How will the results be used?

Questionnaire responses may be:

Shared with the City Council in public meetings
Used to inform budget discussions and planning documents
Summarized and shared with the community for transparency

The questionnaire results alone do not determine any City action.

Is this a political questionnaire?

No. This questionnaire is informational and educational in nature and complies with California Government Code section 54964. It does not promote or oppose any ballot measure.

Please correct the fields below:

Please correct the field(s) marked in red below:

Questionnaire

This short questionnaire helps the City understand which services residents consider essential and how they think about funding those services. The questionnaire is for informational purposes only.

1. Do you live in the City of Vacaville?

Yes

No, but I work here.

2. Which City services do you personally consider essential to Vacaville’s quality of life? (Select up to five.)

Police services and emergency response

Fire protection and emergency medical services

Road maintenance and repair

911 dispatch and emergency communications

Parks, trails, and recreation facilities

Homelessness response and community safety programs

Code enforcement and neighborhood standards

Community centers

Youth, senior, and family programs

2. Which City services do you personally consider essential to Vacaville’s quality of life? (Select up to five.) If other, type text here.

3. If the City faced funding shortfalls, which services should be protected from reductions first? (Select up to three.)

Police services

Fire and emergency medical services

Road and infrastructure maintenance

Emergency preparedness and disaster response

Parks and recreation

Community safety and homelessness response

Community programs

Unsure

4. Overall, how satisfied are you with the current level of City services in Vacaville?

Very Satisfied

Somewhat Satisfied

Neutral

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

Question 5: Funding Awareness

Before today, how aware were you of the City’s financial challenges related to maintaining essential services?

Question 5: Funding Awareness Before today, how aware were you of the City’s financial challenges related to maintaining essential services?

Very aware

Somewhat aware

Not very aware

Not aware at all

6. If additional funding were needed to maintain essential services, which options should the City consider? (Select all that apply.)

Spending reductions or service cuts

Using reserves

Increasing fees paid by visitors (such as hotel taxes)

Increasing fees paid by businesses (such as business license taxes)

A local sales tax increase (one cent for every one dollar)

None of the above / unsure

7. Vacaville’s current local sales tax rate is the lowest in Solano County. A one cent for every one dollar increase would be paid by residents and visitors and remain under local control. Knowing this, how do you feel about a sales tax increase to fund essential services?

Strongly Support

Somewhat support

Neutral / unsure

Somewhat oppose

Strongly Oppose

8. If a local sales tax measure were placed on the ballot to maintain police, fire, road maintenance, and other essential City services, how would you likely vote?

Yes

Undecided

9. What City services matter most to you, and why?

Questionnaire results will be used to inform City planning and public discussions. This questionnaire is not advocacy and does not represent a decision by the City Council.

Important Notice

This questionnaire is an informational outreach effort by the City of Vacaville. It does not urge or oppose the approval or rejection of any ballot measure, nor does it represent a decision by the Vacaville City Council.

No City funds are being used for political advocacy. Any future decisions regarding City funding or potential ballot measures will occur at a properly noticed public meeting, which will include community engagement and City Council discussion.